In celebration of Yud Beis Tammuz Rabbi Shalom Ber Schapiro is presenting the fascinating facts surrounding the story of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s interrogation in Tammuz of 1921.
Yud Beis Tammuz is also the yartzeit of Rabbi Nissan Mindel, and his birthday is Beis Nissan. These significant dates of his life interestingly underline his essential connection with the Rebbeim whom he served with such devotion and excellence.
Some background information:
In 1943/44 Alexander Cowen led a weekly study group in Manhattan for professionals – initiated and encouraged by the Frierdiker Rebbe. The learning was based on the book “Bible Unauthorized.”
The Frierdiker Rebbe asked Rabbi Nissan Mindel to attend and participate in these classes and report to him every week. This Rabbi Mindel did – very often with a detailed description of the discussions and deep questions by the participants. The Frierdker Rebbe would in turn ask Rabbi Mindel to present these challenging questions to his son-in-law, the RAMASH, which he did. On these occasions, the Ramash jotted down the answers to the questions, which Rabbi Mindel then brought to the weekly class and which were discussed at length. (We hope to share some of these handwritten questions and answers of the Ramash b’h in the future).
At one point Rabbi Mindel had reported to the Frierdiker Rebbe that the class is missing a spark. The Rebbe then suggested that a story should be included in the class to add a spirit and liveliness. Especially as stories inspire one to action. As a follow up to his discussion with Mindel regarding the telling of a story, the Frierdiker Rebbe proceeded to write a letter for Rabbi Mindel to share with the class, in which he tells his story of his interrogation in 1921.
1. THE STORY OF HIS INTERROGATION IN 1921, IN A LETTER THE FRIERDIKER REBBE WRITES IN HEBREW TO RABBI MINDEL
In this letter of 1944, where the Frierdiker Rebbe writes the details of his interrogation in 1921, he asks Rabbi Mindel to please translate it to English and share it with his learning group in Manhattan. The group was deeply touched and inspired – as all of us are.
2. THE STORY OF THE FRIERDIKER REBBE’S INTERROGATION IN 1921, IN ENGLISH, TRANSLATED BY RABBI MINDEL, AS THE FRIERDIKER REBBE REQUESTED.
This fascinating story of the interrogation – including details which are not found in the Likutei Diburim – is the story which Rabbi Mindel shared with the weekly Manhattan learning group.
3. A LETTER FROM THE FRIERDIKER REBBE TO NISSAN MINDEL
In this letter the Frierdiker Rebbe makes suggestions to Mindel on improvements to the classes. He also suggests that a couple of the participants (Stullman and Shaw) should share with the group their impression of the Ramash shlita when they met with him.
Fascinating.
Please keep posting these things.
Gevaldig!