The Hakhel Card of the Gaon R’ Sholom Marosow

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi Sholom Marosow OBM is fondly remembered as a sincere chossid and an impressive talmid chochom. He served as a Rosh Yeshiva and Mashpia at the Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch – 770 Eastern Parkway in New York and is widely regarded as one of the most prominent Chabad Chasidim of the past half a century.

He was born in the city of Rostov in southern Russia on the 4th of Shevat, 1923 (5683) and merited to have the Frierdiker Rebbe serve as a sandek by his Bris.

His father was Reb Chonye (Elchonon Dov) Marosow, who served as a secretary for both the Rebbe Rashab and the Frierdiker Rebbe. For his activism to keep Judaism alive in the Soviet Union, Reb Chonye was executed by the Communists.

It was told that upon arriving in the United States, a Yechidus was arranged for Reb Sholom with the Frierdiker Rebbe. Upon seeing the young Sholom, the Rebbe recalled his late father and exclaimed: “Oy, Chonye!” and became very emotional. Later in the audience, the Rebbe added: “This (bochur) is Chonye on the inside and on the outside.”

R’ Sholom was known as an outstanding gaon who was proficient in Shas, poskim, Zohar and Chassidus. When he wasn’t learning, he would daven for long hours and carefully observe Mitzvos.

True to his humble nature, when the Rebbe instructed every chossid to fill out a “Hakhel card” in the Hakhel year of 5748 (1988), R’ Sholom filled it out like every chossid, writing in his name Sholom ben Chaya Bracha.

The Rebbe gave very specific instructions as to how the cards should look, even directing what the dimensions of the card should be.

Those filling out the card took it upon themselves to gather either men, women, or children “from time to time” and share with them Divrei Torah and encouragement to observe Mitzvos.

R’ Sholom has done this on a regular basis, yet filled out the card as a true chossid.