Rabbi Arye Leib Kaplan was born in Paris on 19 Tishrei 5708 (1947) to Reb Moshe Binyomin and Sarah Kaplan. His father was a talmid of the underground chadorim and yeshivos in the USSR, his mother the daughter of the chossid Reb Nochum Yitzchok Pinson, who was exiled by the communists and passed away in 5702 (1942).

As an infant, his family moved to Manchester, England. As a child, young Leibel studied at the local cheder with great hasmodah and was the pride and joy of his family. At the tender age of nine, he wrote a letter to the Rebbe, having found nobody else who could answer a question he had. The Rebbe’s response was later published in Igros, vol. 15 pg. 47. The Rebbe included a whole matza along with his response; only later did people realize it was intended for the youngster.

In 5716 (1956), the family moved to New York. At the age of 14, Leibel went into yechidus with the Rebbe for the first time. While in New York, he joined the group of chozrim memorizing the Rebbe’s sichos and farbrengens, many of which were six hours long, or even longer. In 5725 (1965), he left to study at the yeshiva in Montreal, where he always looked out for weaker students and helped them in their studies.

In 5726 (1966), Rabbi Zalman Serebrianski founded the Yeshiva Gedola in Melbourne. He wrote to the Rebbe asking that he send shluchim, but the Rebbe’s response was to first begin with local bochurim, and after a trial period shluchim would be sent.

A year later, Rabbi Chaim Gutnick visited the Rebbe and asked that the Rebbe send bochurim to help solidify the yeshiva. The Rebbe personally selected a group to go as shluchim for two years, learning and engaging in outreach within the Melbourne Jewish community. This group was the forerunner of similar groups sent to Lubavitch yeshivos worldwide.

Reb Leibel, who was chosen to head the group, developed strong relationships with a group of students who regarded him as their mentor to his last day. When the group returned from Australia in 5729 (1969), they merited to attend the Rebbe’s Pesach sedorim and were shown many kiruvim.

In 5731 (1971), Reb Leibel became engaged to Ms. Sara Hinda Lieberman of Detroit, the daughter of Chief Rabbi of Antwerp, Belgium Rav Moshe Dovid and Chaya Lieberman.

After his wedding on 8 Teves 5732 (1971), Reb Leibel received numerous requests from communities around the world to serve as their leader. The Rebbe encouraged him to continue his studies and advised him on a course of study in kollel. When one emissary asked the Rebbe about employing the talented young man, the Rebbe responded, “I am taking him for myself.”

In addition to his studies, Reb Leibel worked for the Vaad L’Hafotzas Sichos, editing the sichos that were eventually published in Likutei Sichos.

A few days after Pesach 5733 (1973), Reb Leibel was summoned by the Rebbe’s Secretariat and informed about a new shlichus: he was being sent to renew the Chabad village in Tzfas. On 15 Tammuz 5733 (1973), Reb Leibel applied for visas at the Israeli embassy and was told by the Rebbe to begin packing before the Three Weeks.

After a day or two, Reb Leibel asked Rabbi Hodakov when he should leave. When Rabbi Hodakov relayed the Rebbe’s message, “Why is he waiting?” Reb Leibel immediately made the final preparations for the trip.

On Erev Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av 5733 (1973), prior to their departure, the Rebbe walked out with Reb Leibel, his wife, and baby and spoke with them for a few moments. The Rebbe gave them a letter and coins for tzedaka.

He then gave their infant Menachem Mendel the same, saying that he too was going on shlichus and that when he grew older, it would be explained to him. The Rebbe remained standing outside 770 until they left and their car was no longer in sight.

The first task that Reb Leibel undertook upon arriving on 3 Menachem Av 5733 (1973) was to renew the destroyed Chabad Tzemach Tzedek shul. The Rebbe advised that people should be able to daven there on Rosh Hashana and that immediately after, a kollel should be created.

Shortly afterward, clarification arrived that the shul should be ready in time for Selichos. On Shabbos Selichos, twenty-five people davened in the newly renovated shul.

Shortly afterward, the Yom Kippur War broke out in 5734 (1973), and Israeli ambassador Chaim Herzog came to the Rebbe to request that he send young chassidim to boost morale. The Rebbe responded, “I have just sent you a young general!”

In 5742 (1982), the war in Lebanon erupted. Reb Leibel was advised by the Rebbe to publish a Tanya in Beirut, which he was to leave behind for soldiers. The Tanya was also printed in Tyre, Sidon, Nabatiye, and other locations in Lebanon.

With no money or support, but with boundless optimism and military precision, the Kaplans began building. They revitalized neighborhoods and established institutions for boys and girls, men and women. Shortly before his passing, Yeshivas Tzeirei Hashluchim was founded.

Rabbi Kaplan became deeply involved in city life, serving as a city councilman and vice-mayor for many years. The Rebbe once referred to him as “Director and Founder of Chabad Mosdos in Tzfas.” He also served as chairman of the Lubavitch umbrella organization in Eretz Yisroel.

Reb Leibel authored several seforim and essays. He served as rosh kollel and authored Piskei Admur Hazaken. In the pre-Glasnost years, he undertook missions to the Soviet Union.

In 5758 (1998), he traveled to Minsk for a groundbreaking. After spending hours with bochurim, he set out toward Lubavitch. At 4:00 AM he recited Krias Shema and went to sleep in his car. One hour later, about 15 miles from Lubavitch, a truck crashed into the car, and Reb Leibel was killed instantly.

He was buried in Tzfas. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who continue in his ways and in the ways of the Rebbe.

Yehi Zichro Boruch.

(Sources: Rabbi Michoel Seligson, Chabad.org, Kfar Chabad Magazine)