Meeting The Frierdiker Rebbe

On the 12th of Tammuz, Chabad will mark the complete release of the Rebbe Rayatz, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, after 27 horrific days of imprisonment, that was supposed to end with, G-d forbid, a death sentence.

The permanently injurious detention and torture which the Rebbe Rayatz had to endure for his courageous efforts and legendary struggles to preserve and strengthen Torah-life in Soviet Russia.

Anyone at all familiar with the religious policies of the Bolshevics, needs but little-imagination to agree that no lesser term than miracle will describe the Rebbe’s survival and liberation from that valley of tears and suffering.

Political intervention in his behalf by foreign governments was but the earthly tool to have his death sentence commuted and changed, first to ton years of Siberia, then to three years of exile in Kastrama, and ultimately, on the twelfth of Tammuz 1927 to a complete. Less than half a year later he was able to leave Russia with his family and the bulk of his valuable library.

In an interview, famed author, lecturer and community activist, Mrs. Chana Sharfstein, discusses what the 12th of Tammuz means to her.

As we mark the 12th of Tammuz, the day the Rebbe Rayatz was finally freed after a death sentence, what does it mean to you?

The 12th of Tammuz was one of the most important dates on our calendar. The Rebbe Rayatz was the Rebbe of my father, Rabbi Yacov Yisroel Zuber, of blessed memory, and having spent his early years in Russia this was of great personal meaning to him. The sentencing and imprisonment were overwhelming events. The miraculous experience of being freed were monumental.

Why do you think it is still relevant to Chabad chassidim today?

The fact that Chabad is alive, thriving and continuously expanding, not only in the United States, but worldwide, including the former Soviet Union, that is all due to the foresight and bravery of the Rebbe Rayatz.

He is the one who despite his failing health, despite the fact he no longer was a vigorous young man, overcame all challenges to reestablish Chabad here. He literally opened the doors for The New World. Everything we now have is based on his work, his commitment to rebuild or build a Jewish world in a new continent. He established the foundation here. Just imagine where the Chabad movement would be today if he had not courageously brought Yiddishkeit to these shores.

Do you have any memories of the Rebbe Rayatz?

I feel like an artifact in a museum for I actually had the great Zchus of a private Yechidus with The Rebbe Rayatz in Stockholm, Sweden. I can still recall that in detail, even today after all these years. He definitely intimidated me – I was a young child and the Rebbe appeared very big, very serious and elderly.

He sat in a wheelchair and was surrounded by the family members who traveled with him: his mother, wife, daughter, son-in-law and grandson, and his aide Rabbi Chaim Liberman.

He placed his hands on my head and gave me a brocho. First, he asked me my name, and then told me -all in Yiddish, my first language- that Chana is a beautiful name and I should always cherish it. Being dressed in Shabbos clothes on a weekday, and going to the Grand Hotel in a Taxi certainly added to the significance of that memorable day.

What inspires you most from the life of the Rebbe Rayatz?

The strength of character of the Rebbe Rayatz is an unbelievable example for us to follow. In the most inhumane situations in prison he always held on to his belief and never allowed himself to be frightened or intimidated. His insistence on putting on tefillin was impressive. He refused to remove his hat and suffered a beating, but still kept that hat on his head.

On his first arrest, one of seven, when he was only a child of eleven, he placed himself in danger by pushing a figure of authority who was mistreating a member of the community. The way in which he conducted himself during that interrogation was remarkable. What an inspiration for us all. Nothing stopped him, nothing deterred him from reaching his goals.

His dedication to all Jews was remarkable, continued by The Rebbe. It is evident and obvious that The Rebbe followed in his footsteps. The Rebbe Rayatz sent Shluchim all over Russia to develop schools, build Mikvahs and Shuls. His concern for the Jews of Russia was their life.

We need role models and reading, hearing and learning about the activities of the Frierdike Rayatz, his dignity, his strength of character, his ability to overcome difficult situations, these are lessons for life.

Dovid Zaklikowski is a historian and author, his latest book “Learning on the Job: Jewish Career Lessons” is available on Amazon.com.