14 Nissan marks the 4th Yartzeit of Rabbi Leibel Groner obm, one of the most prominent figures in Lubavitch of the last generation who served as a secretary and was one of the closest people to the Rebbe.
Rabbi Groner learned in the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch at 770 Eastern Parkway and become an immense Talmid Chacham.
In 1949, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Groner if he would like to assist him in his “spare time.” Rabbi Groner agreed and began working in the Kehot Publication Society, a branch of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch which the Rebbe founded.
In 5711 (1951), when the Rebbe officially assumed leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch at an inaugural farbrengen, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Groner to stand by him in case he would need anything. Rabbi Groner has stood by the Rebbe’s side ever since.
After he got married, Rabbi Groner continued his work in the Rebbe’s secretariat (mazkirus) for over 40 years. He was arguably the most visible mazkir as he stood by the Rebbe during davening, Yechidus and later when the Rebbe distributed dollars to charity on Sundays.
His devotion to the Rebbe and his directives and institutions were reflected in the Rebbe’s comment about him during the distribution of the Tanya on 11 Nissan 5744: “My general.”
Rabbi Groner passed away after Bedikas Chometz at the age of 88 after a battle with coronavirus.
The following newly discovered Maamar about Pesach was printed in Rabbi Groner’s memory, in honor of his second yartzeit.
Imagine how many stories we are deprived of.
It is also the yahrzeit of another special Leibel who was niftar and buried same day as R’ Leibel Groner. Leibel Singer, A man who together with his wife raised Emeseh chassidishe children. A true yid. aidel, ehrlich. I would often see him going to shul I don’t think he missed a minyan ever. may the 2 tzadikim Leibels me mailiztei yosher for all of us and bring moshiach now.
A special person, ibergegeben b’ lev venephesh. Still the Rebbe’s general helping to bring thnthe geula!
R’Laibel Singer was a ‘yid, a tomim’
He was known as the very personification of a yorei shamayim. He was reserved and quiet, but anyone who knew him knew his deep honesty and authenticity. He wasn’t an official Lubavitcher, but actually lived his life with the most basic ideals and principles of Lubavitch.
How I miss a real Pnimi & Chosid of the Rebbe!
May R’Leibel beg Hashem to bring Moshiach Now!
To the Groner Family, with Love,
Rabbi Yirmi Cohen
Will never forget the pesach seder with rabbi laibel groner in machon chana. The rebbe came to give us all a bracha on the way back from 770. Rabbi groner came with his wife and little children. He made an unforgetable seder lasting until 4am. He told us so many explanations of pesach. We each made our own seder under his instructions drinking wine as he said it was preferred. He told us so many stories of the rebbe. He would have gone on all night but someone wondered about us finishing at 12 so we finished at 4am. He… Read more »