By Dovid Zaklikowsky
Rabbi Shimon Raichik, a highly respected chossid who served both as a Shliach of the Rebbe since his youth and was a beloved rov and moreh hora’ah, passed away on Wednesday, 20 Kislev, 5782.
He was 68.
Always ready to answer a call with a question for advice or Jewish law, to assist another, without any personal interests, he will sorely missed by many.
A twin, Rabbi Raichik was born in 1953 to the legendary Rabbi Shmuel Dovid and Rebbetzin Lea Raichik. Holocaust survivors, who at the direct instructions of the Rebbe Rayatz, and his son-in-law and future Rebbe, headed to Los Angeles, California, to build Jewish life on the West Coast.
The twins were preemies and their bris was pushed off. In the interim, the Raichik’s father asked the Rebbe what they should name them. “From Above they give the father and mother the idea of which name to give their children, as befits their soul,” the Rebbe wrote. “You should call the children whatever names you agree upon with your wife.” Thus, they named the twins Shimon, after Rabbi Raichik’s father, and Yosef Yitzchak (“Yossi”), after the Rebbe Rayatz.
The Raichik children were raised witnessing the self-sacrifice their parents had for another Jew, just as for their personal mitzvah observance.
To have Cholov Yisroel milk, someone would have to go to the farm to oversee it. Cholov Yisroel cheese was unavailable, and the Raichik children simply grew up without it.
Rabbi Raichik would tell how his mother would Kasher the chickens herself, even when the butcher offered to do it for her. When he saw beef for the first time, he asked, “why is the chicken so dirty.” He had simply never seen it before.
At age 11, when Rabbi Raichik went to New York for Tishrei, he beheld kosher cheeses, chocolate, pizza, and hamburgers, foods that didn’t exist at all in Los Angeles. “It was quite a revelation,” he would later say.
Fred Schwartzman, who lost his faith during the Holocaust, visited the Raichik home, he felt it beginning to return. He called his visit to their home a “great present.”
He wrote that to hear the way the Raichik children said the brachah on fruit brought back many memories from his childhood. “It was bringing G-d back to my heart,” he wrote at the time.
Rabbi Raichik was deeply influenced that with his father’s constant running around to do a favor for another Jew, he said that he had no memory of his father ever going to bed.
“If I awoke in the middle of the night,” Rabbi Raichik later said, “I would find him at the table, learning.”
He said that he learned what it means to give up of your personal needs to help another from his parents. Rabbi Raichik recalled that many times on Pesach, the family would have to ration the matzah during the last few days because the elder Rabbi Raichik had given so much away.
In 1970 he learned at the Lubavitch yeshivah in Montreal, and from there left on Shlichus to Melbourne, Australia. In 5741 (1981) Rabbi Shimon and his wife, Chana Lieba (nee Gansburg), moved back to Los Angeles from New York to assist his father. Father and son worked together for close to two decades, during which time Rabbi Raichik had ample opportunity to observe his father’s extraordinary dedication and to benefit from his wisdom.
After teaching at the yeshivah Ohr Elchonon Chabad, as the Chabad community in Los Angeles grew, Rabbi Raichik became the rov of the Levi Yitzchok Shul in the La Brea neighborhood. Together with the unforgettable businessman Reb Berel Weiss, he built a flourishing community, where chessed and Torah study were at its center.
Rabbi Raichik had a particular love for the laws of Shabbos, and authored a book on it, which he was finishing off for publication.
While he understood the challenges of the day, Rabbi Raichik did not take the approach to admonish those he thought were veering from the path, but instead tried to inspire them with stories, anecdotes, and love. In this vein, he worked for many years on a book about his father, which he felt would inspire a new generation of chassidim.
Over the years, even if there were personal reservations about a person, he would place his personal ego on the side and make every effort to help them and constantly tried to amicably deal with issues.
Rabbi Mendel Duchman, who runs the Kol Yaakov Yehuda – Rebbe’s Diamond Daveners at Rabbi Raichik’s Shul, said: “Today is a very sad day for the city of Los Angeles and the world over.”
“Rabbi Raichik was there for everybody throughout everything – good or difficult,” he told COLlive.com. “No matter what was happening, Rabbi Raichik was at the forefront of uplifting adults and children not only in his shul but for all Lubavitchers around Los Angeles.”
He is survived by his wife Mrs. Chana Liba Raichik (nee Gansburg), their children Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Raichik – Boynton Beach, Florida; Mrs. Simi Ghods – Los Angeles; Rabbi Yisroel Noach Raichik – Crown Heights; Mrs. Sterna Sarah Gurary – Los Angeles; Rabbi Moshe Raichik – Brooklyn, NY; Mrs. Chaya Mushka Zaltzman – Toronto, Canada; Rabbi Avrohom Abba Raichik – Los Angeles; and grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings R’ Abi Raichik – Los Angeles; R’ Elazar Raichik – Crown Heights; Mrs. Devori Wilhelm – Portland, Oregon; Mrs. Suri Klyne – Los Angeles; R’ Levi Raichik – Los Angeles; Rabbi Sholom Raichik – Gaithersburg, Maryland; R’ Yanky Raichik – Los Angeles; and Mrs. Chanie Hanoka – Pasadena, California; nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother Rabbi Yossi Raichik OBM, Shliach of the Rebbe who lived in Kfar Chabad and spearheaded the saving of Jewish children from Chernobyl, Ukraine.
The levaya will be held in Los Angeles on Thursday, at 11 am at Congregation Levi Yitzchok, and then passing by YOEC, Ohel Chana, Bais Chaya Mushka, and Cheder Menachem. Kevurah at Mt. Olive Memorial Park.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
A very sad sad day in Los Angeles and the world over.
🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲
So sad. In addition to the time we spent together in Los Angeles, I will never forget sharing a taxi to Boro Park to get a kapota, he had a good sense of humor and amazing wisdom. This is a tremendous loss. May Hashem comfort the entire family.
LA and the world has lost an extraordinary, beloved, devoted Rov and leader. Unbelievably devastating news. My heart goes out to the Raichik family and the LA community. Ad Masai!!!!!!
The Aibishter just keeps collecting diamonds. Ad Mosai !!! Please Aibishter send us Moshiach you are leaving us without Leaders!!!!
Shimon, it cannot be! A person of exceptional Ahavas Yisroel. Truly his father’s Son. A master of Kabolos Ol and faithfulness of a Tomim at all times. Born in the wild’s of LA and fired with the love of every Jew and humanity. Shimon, one of the outstanding Gems of 770, A brilliant Rav, a dedicated Chossid, a prolific writer and chronicler ofChassidic law and lore. Shimon, every Tomim’s friend and then some. Shimon, every heartbeat in sync with the Rebbes directives. Shimon, a humble man who stood taller then most of his protégés in Yeshiva. Shimon, who lived what… Read more »
Warm Condolences & Strength from Above to all the family.
May Rov Shimon Raichik’s Memory always be for a Blessing.
Fondest,
Hessel & Miriam Leah Kessler & Family
אבד חסיד…He was a great mashpia and rov. But mores so…one many knew they can find correct advice in times of crisis that he shared בלב ונפש
ונהנין ממנו עצה ותושיה
He will be greatly missed.
The world has lost one of the brightest lights there was. Thank you for all those special moments we spent farbrenging, helping to guide us yungerleit bdarchei hachassidus…
Baruch Dayan HaEmes
He is sorely missed! AD MOSAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tremendous loss to his family the entire chabad family and to all who came in contact with him. baki in the rebbe”s sichos and minhagei chabad par excellence, תוכו כברו and ahavas yisroel written all over his face with feeling and sensitivity towards all. אבד חסיד מן הארץ וחבל על דעבדין. געוואלד געוואלד
BDE
Incredible loss to the LA community.
Incredible loss to the world over.
Incredible loss.
Reb shimon like father and mother and twin Yossi were exemplary chassidim. Totally impervious and above the rampant shtus that was and still is prevalent in LA. At the same time so given over to all Yidden regardless of their observance or non observance. it made no difference He grew up in a cute little house on Edinburgh Ave in Fairfax straight out of a east European shtetel. Just by observing this family and their emunah pashuta and true mesiras nefesh was unprecedented in Los Angeles at the time and still is We are losing too many giants now and… Read more »
He was the most incredible kind person. He loves everyone! His level of care was beyond outstanding. He is going to help bring Moshiach up there.
He was a true Chossid, yireh shomayim, dogma chaya, and Shaliach, in every sense . He’ll be missed worldwide.
PLEASE AIBESHRER, take us out of this galus!!!
THIS IS TERRIBLE NEWS!!!! AD MOSAI!!!!
Pls stop and just send Moshiach alredy!!!
We cant take it anymore!!!!
A very say sad for many. What an incredible Rav. Bde
Rabbi Raichik was the most amazing human being. He was by my side and supported me through many trials and tribulations. The community his most righteous family have lost a Jewish parent,brother, grandfather, husband and leader. I will so miss his presence , advice and his way of preserving our Righteous Rebbe and the Rebbe’s holy words.
Libraries can be filled of the unimaginable chesed he did…as a rov..he would spend hours and days to help someone in his role as rov or mashpia….and often refusing any money people offered him. When something big was on your chest….he was the address…and he knew how to help. צדיק אבד ואין איש שם על לב
The Jewish community in San Diego as well and my family in particular mourns this great man. We were all touched by him and his father in so many ways for over 45 years. Boruch Dayan haemes
Very sad day for the LA community. A huge loss. Rav raichik was a pillar in LA in so many ways. His wife is the most incredible women and his kids are insanely kind, and just incredible people! Stay strong! Moshiach NOW.
Love and Kindness were hallmark’s of his leadership style. A great man and a loss that will sting.
The best rov .. warmest most generous and selfless soul … no judgements from him only smile laughter and authentic hiskashrus to the rebbe …. And I only saw him from time to time when visiting his shule … he always remembered me and we shared some regards from home … real proper leader
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל ה’ אֱלֹהֵינוּ ה’ אֶחָד.
I didn’t have the privlege to know the rav, but just from these pictures he radiates chein and goodness. Baruch Dayan Haemess
bde. so sad…he was the face of la breas community. he was such a caring nice person who always smiled and had something good to say…such a chossid the way he would teach a maamor he would really live it. I remember how i would join the shiur always just because he made chassidus sound so geshmak. La will never be the same. We need Moshiach. Ad mosai
I am a BT who was going through some difficult times and i wanted, to G-d Forbid, take off the beard i had grown…i was sent to R’Raichik and he sat with me and said the right things to influence me in a way that i should keep my beard and ‘not worry about what could go wrong’
This was a turning point in my life and i went on to get married, be a father and a merkos Shliach..with a full beard
May Rabbi Raichik be eternally rewarded for the good he did
Baruch Dayan HaEmes!
Our world has lost a real diamond. A dugma chay in chassidishkeit, varmkeit, and true Ahavas Yisroel. Our hearts go out to Chana Leiba and the entire Raichik family and to the L.A. community. Ad Mossai!!!!!
!והקיצו ורננו שוכני עפר
Falik and Simie Schtroks (Chanowitz) British Columbia
My teacher in Hadar Hatorah and a teacher here on the West Coast. A truly inspirational chassid! While his brother Yossie was being carried on the shoulders of all the Persian kids he rescued, Reb Shimon clapped and cheered. You will return soon!
BD”E Cannot fathom that this is real. Rabbi Raichik was a lion, a force above nature in goodness, kindness, and a giant in Torah. He lit the world up by helping people far and near. He made each one feel cared for and guided by his wisdom and big heart. The world has lost someone great, of course he is storming the heavens to bring Moshiach immediately, may we see the geulah shelaima immediately please GD!
Always caring for others and seeking peace. Los Angeles will truly miss Rav Raichik.
Ad Masai.
Was in the house many times, was always fill of ohr
Warm chasideshe pure light.
Horrible loss.
עד מתי
I had the chance to sit in his Tanya classes a few times. He was a great teacher with a sharp and quick sense of humor. Always kind and humble. Rav Raichick and Mrs Raichick have been true examples of chassidim.
Baruch Dayan Haemet. What an incredible loss.
May the family gain strength from above.
Aura Shira, Hannah and Adelle Michel
There really are no words to describe how sad we all feel. We lost a giant of a man a tzadik a holy soul n person. A true kind loving rov bde. 💔 moshiach now
Sending love n strength
יהי זכרו ברוך. איזה אדם מיוחד. מלח העולם. זכות גדולה להכירו. תודה על כל העזרה והנתינה למשפחתינו שתמיד עשה באהבה .זצ”ל
I remember about 7 years ago Chanukah he was standing on the entrance of Ralph on labrea giving out lakes to mekarv yidden to yiddishkeit and Chanukah. I was very amazed .
About 15 years ago he went to a shul to speak last day Yom Tov and I asked him questions and he answered them so wisely
A true shliach
A gadol baTorah
And yet knew how to connect with people
He oversaw my conversion. May his Neshama have an aliyah in that merit. He always spoke softly and exemplified chessed and anavah.