Intellectual and moral fortitude may come from the wisdom of exemplary teachers. But ultimately, what Chassidim gain from the Rebbe must ultimately be integrated and applied to affect even the lowliest of worlds. The Avner Institute presents correspondence to and from Rabbi Samuel Adelman, of blessed memory—distinguished activist, poet, and founder of prominent Jewish organizations—showing how each of us can channel our “inner leader” to effect change and bring light to our current dark times.
In loving memory of Hadassah Lebovic A”h
Rabbi Samuel Adelman was an American pulpit rabbi and poet, who founded Torah Pilgrimage, forerunner of the NCSY. In addition, he led congregations in Dover, New Jersey, Morristown, New Jersey, and Newport News, Virginia, and finally, the Beth Medrash Hagadol Synagogue in Denver, Colorado.
Few, however, may know that this distinguished activist for Judaism and social justice, who worked vigorously on numerous state commissions to advance civil rights, fair housing and care for mentally disabled children, and who led the first delegation of rabbis to Communist Russia in 1956, had a rewarding association with the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Proud father of four, Rabbi Adelman died suddenly in 1966, at the early age of 50. But this prolific writer lived a remarkably accomplished life, and his eloquence continues to inspire those who remember him, and those who chance upon his writings.
This message by Rabbi Adelman (courtesy of his daughter, Mrs. Shulamith Adelman Schwartz) to his congregation, as it appeared in the B.M.H. Bulletin, dated September 20, 1960. Included here as well are several letters of the Rebbe to Rabbi Adelman covering different fundamental matters of Yiddishkeit.
“The only meaningful resistance among our people”
In the summer of 1956, after our return from the Soviet Union, I made a visit to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneirson, better known as the Lubavitcher Rabbi.
The purpose of my visit was more than idle curiosity. Somehow, as a result of what we had seen in Russia, I felt that I could find the answer to a most perplexing problem—how to captivate the hearts and hands of our people for G-d and His Torah—how to cause commitment to His Truth.
But why the Lubavitcher Rabbi?
For this I will have to go back to our visit in the Soviet Union.
Modern Egypt
It would be trite to repeat the oft-heard story of spiritual decay in this Hell-on-earth—where Satan rules and the god of materialism holds sway. Yet it was in the midst of this modern Egypt and its forty-nine degrees of spiritual uncleanliness that my colleagues and I discovered the only meaningful resistance among our people. For, to our amazement we found scattered groups of Lubavitcher Chassidim that had somehow managed, not only to survive, but to continue to find strength and to transmit it to their children.
Upon my return to America, I hastened to 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, expecting to find an imposing building as would befit this gigantic challenge to Russian Communism and the god of Moloch. I looked for severe security measures—secret chambers—and a hard dynamic leader of economic movement.
I suppose that I was a little disappointed to find, instead, a ramshackle old building, badly in need of paint and repair, the lusty voices of young men hard at a folio of Talmud—and a softspoken and gentle middle-aged rabbi who seemed hardly to be a match for the Kruschev I had met in Moscow.
But that was until I started to speak to Rabbi Schneerson and looked into his eyes.
Strength of Spirit
Slowly, it began to dawn on me why we had met Lubavitcher Chassidim in Russia even after they had been cut off from their source of strength for over thirty years. The former Lubavitcher Rabbi had been expelled in the mid-twenties—but more importantly, I began to see the answer to many questions that had been giving me no peace. For here I saw strength of a different kind—the strength of spirit.
The answer the obvious. To overcome material giganticism, one does not have to meet it on its own level. Synagogues need not be turned into a kind of religious nightclub or replica of Las Vegas to draw on the hearts of its people.
The simple answer to material giganticism is in being spiritually gigantic. No more—no less.
The power of truth is overwhelming—and its obvious asset is that it is Truth.
This is the greatest discovery that is beginning to turn American Jews back to the synagogue. We are beginning to realize, in the words of the Lubavitcher Rebbe:
“Far dem emes muzen alle fahlen: Before the truth, all must prostrate themselves.”
“Facets of the author’s personality”
By the Grace of G-d
21st of Adar 5724
Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Zalmon Adelman
765 York Street
Denver, Colo.
Greeting and Blessing:
Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness in sending me your book Windows to My Soul. As often happens, a person’s writings sometimes reveal new facets of the author’s personality. I had not known that you possessed a poetical “streak” in your soul, which had not been revealed during our conversation.
I have only been able to glance at one or two pages of the book, and I was pleased to note that it is related to your principal task as a Rav and spiritual leader in your congregation, to strengthen and spread Yiddishkeit among your members.
I trust that all the book was written with this in mind, and in compliance with the principle “Know Him in all thy Ways.” The emphasis here is on both all as well as thy ways, namely the obligation of every individual to use all his capacities and opportunities to spread the knowledge of G-d and the attachment to Him and His precepts.
May G-d grant that you should continue to spread traditional Yiddishkeit, in its full authenticity and without compromises, in an ever-growing measure, and may this work always be a source of achievement and personal gratification to you.
With blessing,
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“Added measure of vitality and strength”
B.H.
18th of Elul 5722
Brooklyn, NY
Rabbi Samuel Adelman
765 York Street
Denver, Colo.
Shalom uBrocho:
Your letter of Sept. 6th gave me considerable satisfaction. I was particularly gratified to note in it, and in the enclosures, that you convinced yourself of the truth of “G-d is with us, fear not,” which is as valid in 20th century USA as when it was it was first declared, as written in the Torah. For our bond with G-d does not change in time and place. May G-d grant that you will proceed from this strength, and that the spirit expressed in your letters will have its effect on those to whom they were addressed, and through them to those over whom they, in turn have influence.
As per your suggestion, I have written to Mr. M. Katz, and a copy is enclosed.
On this day, Chai Elul, the birthday of the saintly Baal Shem Tov and the Old Rebbe, Baal haTanya and Shulchan Aruch, which as my father-in-law of saintly memory observed, infuses vitality into all the matters connected with the month of Elul, the month of spiritual stock-taking and preparation for the new year, may it indeed bring an added measure of vitality and strength to each and every one of us, in the midst of all our people, in attendance with the addition to our prayers, twice, daily, “G-d is my light and my help.”
Wishing you and yours a kesiva vechasima tova,
With blessing,
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“Sacred and eternal values”
By the Grace of G-d
18th of Elul 5722
Brooklyn, NY
Mr. Moshe Katz
6115 East Sixth Avenue
Denver, Colo.
Greeting and Blessings:
It is quite some time since we had occasion to meet. But what really prompts me to write to you at this time is to express to you my gratification at your stand in the controversy which had threatened the very foundations of this congregation where you hold a leading position. A congregation worthy of its traditional calling, Kehila Kadisha –“holy congregation,”–must adhere most fully to the sacred and eternal values of our people, which, on the eve of Mattan Torah, was Divinely given the title “holy nation.” And as the Torah is eternal, so is this title of our eternal people.
I was confident, therefore, that you would use your utmost influence not only not to permit a lowering, G-d forbid, of the sacred standards of your congregation, but on the contrary, to further its spiritual advancement, as all matters of holiness should be on the ascendancy, and as the sign of life is in growth.
No doubt you also inspire your friends to follow the same course, since Divine Providence has endowed you with considerable influence in your community.
The merit of your work to uphold and further the sacred traditions of our people in your community will certainly stand you in good stead, to be blessed with good health and strength to fulfill your responsibilities.
In this month of Elul, when we say twice daily, “G-d is my light and my help” (Tehillim 27), and on this auspicious day of Chai Elul, the birthday of the saintly Baal Shem Tov and of the Old Rebbe, author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch, I send you my prayerful wishes for true enlightenment and courage to overcome any and all difficulties. I shall look forward to receiving good news from you in both your communal and personal affairs, including improved health.
Wishing you and yours a kesiva vechasima tova,
With blessing,
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