From a diary

Thursday, 13 Iyar 5712

In the morning, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka called Berel Yunik and asked him to come to her home at 346 New York Avenue, at the corner of President Street. When he arrived, she told him she had received word from Liverpool, England, that the condition of the Rebbe’s brother, Rabbi Yisrael Aryeh Leib, was very serious. She added that she was worried for Rebbetzin Chana and how she would be able to bear it.

Yunik did not understand the situation and thought it referred to a heart attack or something similar. A few minutes later, the Rebbetzin asked him to call R’ Shmuel Levitin. When Reb Shmuel arrived, she spoke with him for about half an hour, and afterward the truth became clear: the Rebbe’s brother had passed away.

She explained that earlier that morning, she had received a phone call from the family in England at the bakery on Nostrand Avenue (they did not have a home phone), and that was when she received the news. By the time she returned home, the Rebbe had already left for 770.

After Shacharis, Reb Shmuel entered the Rebbe’s room and informed him. The Rebbe asked whether anyone else knew, and instructed that all those who knew should be brought in. Reb Leibel Groner was called. Reb Shmuel began tearing the right side of his garment, and the Rebbe completed the tearing himself.

During the keriah, the Rebbe instructed Reb Shmuel and Reb Leibel Groner to recite the pesukim marked in the siddur. He then sat on a low chair.

The burial was expected to take place in Eretz Yisrael, and it would take about two weeks. The Rebbe asked when mourning begins, and the psak was that since he would not be attending the levayah, mourning should begin immediately and not wait until the burial.

The Rebbe then wrote a handwritten letter to his sister-in-law in England and gave it to Berel Yunik to send.

A minyan was held in the Rebbe’s room, with R’ Chaim Mordchai Aizik Chodakov serving as chazzan for all tefillos. The Rebbe instructed that five candles be lit, and this was done daily. He himself only said Kaddish. After the Kaddish following Aleinu, he recited Tehillim kapitel 49 and then Kaddish again. The four Mishnayos were read aloud by the chazzan after each tefillah. The same order was followed at Maariv.

Since it was Thursday and the Rebbe was fasting as part of bahab, he did not eat a meal. After Maariv, when food was brought, he said that the obligation to eat applies only on the first day, and if one did not eat then, there is no obligation afterward.

The Rebbe made sure that his mother, Rebbetzin Chana, would not find out. Before visiting her, as he did daily, he gave his rubber shoes to Berel Yunik to darken the white soles so they would not be noticeable. He also instructed that no condolence letters should be sent to her, and that all her mail be brought to him for checking in case it contained news of the passing.

That evening, Berel Yunik accompanied the Rebbe to his mother’s home at 1418 President Street. The Rebbe arranged things so the visit would not be prolonged, so she would not notice anything unusual in his behavior. When he entered, Berel Yunik called the house from a nearby store. When the phone rang, the Rebbe told his mother there was a call for her and quickly stepped out.

On the way out, the Rebbe met the son of Reb Pinye Alhaus. The Rebbe asked him to inform his family of the passing, but not to tell his mother, since she did not yet know.

Friday, Pesach Sheini

During Shacharis, the Rebbe instructed that “eizehu mekoman” be said aloud by the chazzan, and it appears he also said it himself. The same was done with “pitum haketores” before Aleinu.

After Tehillim, the Rebbe said Tehillim kapitel 49 and then kaddish – the same was done after both sections.

At Mincha, he did not say Tehilim kapitel 49, since on Erev Shabbos after midday Tziduk Hadin is not recited. When someone asked about not saying Tachanun all week, the Rebbe answered that it was for a different reason, in order not to arouse strict judgment. He then said that some other kapitel of Tehillim should be recited, and afterward said kaddish.

The Rebbe washed for bread and ate a kezayis of matzah, as is customary on Pesach Sheini, and instructed that matzah from Erev Pesach be brought. He also instructed to bring wine for Kiddush and meat.

Shabbos Parshas Emor, 15 Iyar

The Rebbe davened Shabbos in the beis midrash and said all the kaddeishim. After davening, he did not say “Good Shabbos,” and the chassidim began to realize he was in mourning, though it was still not publicly known.

He ate the Shabbos meals in his room. At Shacharis, he also said Kaddish after krias haTorah. He was called for Maftir, but his name was not announced. At Mincha, he did not receive an aliya.

At Maariv after Shabbos, he removed his shoes before Barchu but remained in Shabbos clothing. After davening, he sat on a low chair, and people came to offer nichumim. Havdalah was made at home over wine.

Monday, 17 Iyar

The Rebbe did not receive an aliya. After davening, he privately recited two perokim of Mishnayos.

Wednesday, 19 Iyar

The shiva period ended today. The Rebbe spoke briefly about mourning. He traveled to the Ohel in connection with Lag BaOmer and appeared deeply pained.

From that point on, Rabbi Zalman Duchman served as chazzan and recited the kaddeishim.

Throughout the entire week, the Rebbe continued visiting his mother while carefully ensuring she would not notice anything unusual. Each evening, Berel Yunik had to find a different reason to allow the Rebbe to leave quickly and discreetly.