Rabbi Shmuel Rodal, 77, OBM

By COLlive reporter 

Rabbi Shmuel Rodal, who served as a Chabad Shliach in Italy for over 50 years, leaving a deep impact on countless Jews, passed away on the 21 Tishrei 5783.

He was 77 and was recovering from a stroke in the summer.

Rabbi Rodal was born in Montreal, Canada to his parents Rabbi Yosef and Feiga Rodal, sent by the Frierdiker Rebbe to the city.

He studied in Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim in Kfar Chabad under the famed Mashpia Rabbi Shlomo Chaim Kesselman. As a bochur in the mid-1960s, he had series questions in his faith in Hashem. In an interview with JEM, he recalls how they got resolved with the help of the Rebbe.

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His lively personality and zest for Torah and life were quickly evident as he learned at the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch at 770 Eastern Parkway in New York, and as a staff member of Camp Gan Israel in Parksville, NY.

After his marriage, he was offered several educational positions and the Rebbe instructed him to accept the one in Milan, Italy, appointing him as a Shliach. The Rebbe even wanted to review Rabbi Rodal’s contact with Italy’s Head Shliach Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik.

He originally taught in the Chabad school, and was then appointed as rabbi of the Beth Shlomo Synagogue in Milan’s historic Porto Romano district.

For close to 50 years, Rabbi Rodal inspired both locals and tourists of all ages and backgrounds. He presented classes on Torah and Chassidus in fluent Italian and filmed them online during the COVID pandemic.

His knowledge and teaching skills were extremely instrumental when he began to translate and publish foundational Jewish literature in Italian, for the benefit of the non-Hebrew reading residents. It was a task he was encouraged by the Rebbe.

Another job entrusted to him by the Rebbe was the oversee the growth and export of “yanover” Esrogim for the Yomtov of Sukkos. Along with fellow Shliach Rabbi Moshe Lazar, Rabbi Rodal picked Esrogim from the highly luscious Calabria region. The Rebbe himself used an Esrog from their crop.

Since suffering a stroke in the summer, Rabbi Rodal has been in poor health with many davening for his recovery. He passed on Hoshana Rabba, the final day when the Lulav and Esrog are used as a Mitzvah.

His son in law Rabbi Benny Hershcovich wrote about him: “The rock of his family. The powerhouse of his community. A man short in stature, but giant in personality. Truly a once in a generation chossid.”

He is survived by his wife Mrs. Devorah Rodal (née Munitz), Milan, Italy, their children Brocha Leah Sasonkin – Israel; Levi Rodal – Crown Heights; Chanale Levin – Johannesburg, South Africa; Dini Polichenco – San Diego, California; Zali Rodal – London, England; Berel Rodal – Johannesburg, South Africa; Zeldi Richter – New York; Sarale Brownstein – California; Leibel Rodal – Montreal, Canada; Yisroel Meir Rodal – Milan, Italy; Sonia Hershkowitz – Los Cabos, Mexico; Leizer Rodal – Phoenix, Arizona; Mushky Silverstein – Pomona, NY; Yehudis Hyman – Kingston, Pennsylvania; Yossi Rodal – California; Frumie Sasonkin – New York; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his daughter Raizy Rodal OBM.

He will be laid to rest in the holy land of Israel.

Baruch Dayan Haemes – Shmuel Ben Yosef Hakohen.