Things Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik Taught Us

By Rabbi Alexander Namdar – Director of Chabad Lubavitch of Sweden

On Monday, we attended the funeral of my dear mentor and teacher, the Rebbe’s Shliach to Italy, Rabbi Gershon Mendel Garelik, of blessed memory.

62 years earlier, in this very place, in front of 770 Eastern Parkway, outside the Rebbe’s room, Rabbi Garelik was carried on the shoulders of chassidim “like a bridegroom” as they danced with him when he departed from 770 to Italy on Shlichus.

Now, on this Monday morning, at 7:00 AM, the crowd gathered. The car stood still with the trunk open. There was complete silence.

Then suddenly, softly, a nigun began, rising into the cold morning air, uplifting hearts and uniting souls. “בך בטחו אבותינו..” (“In You our fathers trusted…”

As the soft nigun ended, another began. The moment was infused with warmth. Uplifted. He could leave no other way. It was one last chassidishe farbrengen with Rabbi Garelik.

In these unusual times, what were the chances that we would be in New York right now? Hashem plans everything.

I grew up in Milan. In school, at home, in Yeshiva, in 770 by the Rebbe, Rabbi Garelik was a big part of my education and life. He taught us about hiskashrus, the deep bond of chassidim with the Rebbe. He inspired generations of chassidim and created a vibrant Jewish life in Italy.

He was an unconventional educator. Sometimes, in school, he would fill in for another teacher. He would daven Mincha with our class of 5 boys, and have each one of us read another paragraph of Shmone Esrei out loud. He taught us how to daven.

He taught us that Chassidus is not just to learn. It’s also to think. The Rebbe told him in Yechidus: איז דא אזעלכע וואס האבן א חוש אין אותיות המחשבה (“there are those that have a talent in the letters of thought.”) I found him many times, sitting on a balcony by himself, just thinking.
Thinking was an activity for him.

He invested years in us. Hours upon hours farbrenging with us as yeshiva bochurim. He loved the bochurim and the bochurim loved him.

He taught by example more than by words. It was who he was. His silences spoke volumes. His tears told even more. He would talk to us and cry. About chassidim of the past. About the Rebbe. And how he loved the Rebbe!

He would say, “do you think we can even begin to understand the Rebbe? Why, looking at the Rebbe is “come un cavallo guarda la luna.” (like a horse looking at the moon!) אנא נסיב מלכא – “I attach myself to the King” was a way of life.

We once sat around the table at a Farbrengen with Rabbi Garelik. He asked each one of us: “How many times did you learn the Rebbe’s new maamar from Shabbos?” We gave different responses – None. Once. Three times.

Rabbi Garelik said: “איך האב געלערנט דעם מאמר זעכציק מאל און נאך ניט גארניט פארשטאנען!” (I learned the Maamar sixty times and haven’t yet understood anything) Do you know what that does for a bochur?

אבד חסיד מן הארץ

I want to thank Rabbi Garelik and יבל׳ט his Rebbetzin Bassie Garelik for the inspiration they gave and will continue to give to so many. Wishing Mrs. Garelik and all the family long, healthy joyous years with emesse nachas. And looking forward to meeting my dear teacher again at the big farbrengen when Moshiach comes.