Editor's Picks Archives | Page 7 of 19

Editor’s Picks

A Journalist’s Fascination with Lubavitch From Siberia to Paris

After their Great Escape from Soviet Russia and a period in German and Austrian DP camps, 1000 Lubavitcher refugees converged in Paris in 5707–5708. Local Yiddish journalist Yitzchak Shmulevitsh was amazed by their devotion to Torah and each other, and documented their work to establish a yeshivah and a girls’ school, as well as the eventual departure of many of them to Eretz Yisrael. Part III of a series.

The Secret Maskil Who Finally Agreed to Speak

Rumored to be a brilliant maskil in Chassidus, R' Chaim Yonah Lutzki refused to speak. When Reb Nochum Goldshmid forced him into a deal, R' Chaim Yonah kept his word - but nothing more.

The Kopuster Rebbe’s Response Sent Him Back to Lubavitch

After the passing of the Rebbe Maharash, R. Heschel Nota Gnessin and a friend traveled to Kopust in search of a Rebbe, but a surprising story told by the Kopuster Rebbe led him to turn back to Lubavitch.

The Orphan Who Found a Lubavitcher Father in Shanghai

From the Margins of Chabad History: The final installment of the series about the life of Harav Meir Ashkenazi of Shanghai tells the remarkable and dramatic story of the young orphan boy he took into his home and raised to live a life of devotion to Torah and the Jewish people.

‘The Rebbe Does It, But That Doesn’t Mean You Should’

A wealthy chossid from Riga, R. Chaim Yaakov Rashal was a mekushar of the Rebbe Rashab. When someone questioned the Rebbe's unique tekios, he had a ready answer for them.

‘Don’t Worry, He Doesn’t Have a Yiddishe Kup’

Facing a harsh trial, R. Yisrael Yitzchok Lubinsky nervously presented his case before the Rebbe Maharash. The Rebbe assured him that the self-indulgent judge didn't have a Yiddishe kup...

‘Vildkeit’ Is Not Chinuch

When Rabbi Chaim Binyamini began to wonder whether his disciplined approach to education was too demanding for a changing world, the Rebbe encouraged him not to compromise, insisting that seder and eidelkeit were precisely the path he should continue.

What Are You Still Pushing Away?

As we return to our regular lives after the Yomim Tovim, the Rebbe’s correspondence about Yaakov Zerubavel offers a timely lesson in the courage it takes to reconsider a familiar way of living. From a shiur by Rabbi Mendel Shapiro of Los Angeles.

The Partisan Who Never Stopped Fighting

From the forests of Nazi-occupied Europe to the establishment of Chabad institutions in Eretz Yisroel, Reb Zusha Wilmowsky devoted his life to rescuing, building, and inspiring. Forty years after his passing, his remarkable story remains an example of courage, determination, unwavering hiskashrus, and extraordinary simcha.

‘Halevai There Should Be Many Baalebatim like Him!’

When chassidishe businessman R. Dan Tumarkin spent two years defending the Rebbe Maharash’s chidush in a weighty correspondence with the Kopuster Rebbe, his grasp of Chassidus earned remarkable praise.

The Last Dance in Leningrad, The First in America

As we approach Simchas Torah, From the Margins of Chabad History presents a series of first-hand accounts of Simchas Torah with the Frierdiker Rebbe. Spanning decades and countries, they take us from the bittersweet farewell to Russia in Leningrad, 5688, to the historic visit to America, 5690, the remarkable celebrations in cosmopolitan Riga, 5693, and finally the iconic scenes at 770 Eastern Parkway.

My Memories of an Incredible Simchas Torah by the Rebbe

A fascinating diary by Rabbi Dovid Krautwirth documents his first Simchas Torah with the Rebbe in 770. His vivid account follows a transformative 96-hour trip from New Jersey to Crown Heights, capturing the intense energy, overwhelming crowds, and joyous dancing. At times humorous and colorful, his detailed descriptions bring the indescribable atmosphere of Simchas Torah in 770 to life.

He Waited 60 Years for the Alter Rebbe’s Third Shailah

Before sending him as rov to Vitebsk, the Alter Rebbe told R. Yitzchak Aizik three shailos. For the 60 years he served as rov, he waited for the third shaila, and when it came, he knew his life's mission was complete.

Kol Nidrei with the Rebbe in Liadi: An Eyewitness Account

The latest installment of From the Margins of Chabad History takes us back 150 years to the holy and uplifting atmosphere of Yom Kippur with the Chabad Rebbe of Liadi, Harav Chaim Shneur Zalman Schneerson. A picture of the zal of the Rebbe of Liadi is also uncovered for the first time.

The Tzemach Tzedek’s Trusted Rov Who Fought the Czar’s Chappers

A renowned rov and senior chossid whom the Tzemach Tzedek entrusted with guiding young Chassidim, R. Aharon Belinitcher was sent to influence communities to excommunicate the Czar’s notorious chappers.

The Mashpia From Whom Everyone Was in Awe

Childless for many years, they asked for brachos of the Mezritcher Maggid, R. Avrohom Kalisker, and R. Mendel Vitebsker, without success. At last, the Alter Rebbe connected them with R. Mordechai "Hatzadik," and R. Mordechai "Mashpia" was born.

Riga, Brownsville, Crown Heights: Rosh Hashanah with the Frierdiker Rebbe

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, From the Margins of Chabad History presents contemporary accounts of Rosh Hashanah with the Frierdiker Rebbe in Riga, Brownsville, and Crown Heights. A letter of Rosh Hashanah berachos from the Frierdiker Rebbe to American Jews is also published here, for the first time.

‘If Rabbi Schneersohn Would Behave like All Rabbonim…’

The Rov of Minsk and later Leningrad, R. Menachem Mendel Gluskin, fought with mesiras nefesh to preserve Yiddishkeit under Soviet rule. During one NKVD interrogation, he asked why the Communists hated the Frierdiker Rebbe so fiercely, and received a revealing answer.

A Holy Jew Lived in Shanghai: The Remarkable Life of Harav Meir Ashkenazi – II

Part two of the series about the fascinating and colorful story of Harav Meir Ashkenazi of Shanghai traces his response to the Holocaust, post-war communal activism, visit to Eretz Yisrael and America, and his final years in New York as the rov and father figure of the international Shanghai diaspora.

He Saw What the Tzemach Tzedek Did Behind Closed Doors

Called into the Tzemach Tzedek’s room to copy a maamar, R. Shmuel der Shreiber was left spellbound by what he witnessed, spending all night watching the Rebbe learn until he was ultimately sent on his way.

Rebbeim Travelog Reveals Fascinating Unknown Discoveries

After years of extensive research, collecting, and sifting through archives, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Mellul shares remarkable discoveries about the journeys of our Rebbeim, including a property purchased by the Rebbe Rashab in Menton, France, and previously unknown trips of the Rebbe and his family during his youth. The 230-page full-color volume includes rare documents, photographs, and archival material.