Yated’s Editor Says “L’Chaim”

By COLlive reporter

Bochurim of Lubavitch Yeshiva Chovevei Torah of Crown Heights spent Thursday evening in Monsey, NY, at a farbrengen with the newly released Lubavitcher chossid, R’ Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin.

It was yet another celebration of Rubashkin celebrating his freedom after being harshly sentenced to 27 years and which united the frum Jewish community in support for his plight.

The inspiring event was arranged by the Mashpia Rabbi Shlomo Sternberg, who visited Rubashkin while in prison and forged close ties with the family.

The farbrengen was sponsored and hosted by R’ Dudy Farkash, a parent from the Yeshiva, together with the Olympia Lane Shul that he leads. With live music and a catered meal, the evening held at Bais Yosef Meir, a prominent Monsey Shul, was most memorable.

Rubashkin led the Farbrengen, speaking about how a person can find Hashem’s kindness no matter what they are going through, and how through every challenge, Hashem wants us to find Him.

He shared many stories of his legal trials, as well as in prison, where though he was surrounded by difficult people and situations, he remained strong in his Yidishkeit and identity, and did not let his values get affected. He shared how his Ruchnius and connection to Hashem meant more to him than anything in the world, and how that allowed him to stay strong despite open displays of anti-semitism and often cruel behavior of prison guards.

He emphasized to the bochurim the importance of the years in Yeshiva, not only as a place to amass knowledge of another page gemara, or another Maamor Chassidus, but as a place to absorb the true foundations for life as a successful yid; to absorb the truths about who is the Eiberstheter, what is Torah, and who is a Yid.

These are the years to journey down discovery lane to identify one’s true self, and with a rock solid foundation in place one can ride through life without getting pulled down by any curve balls, Rubashkin said. He attributed his ability to not be broken by the hardships to his years in Yeshiva, learning and internalizing the Chassidus he learned.

The evening was also an opportunity to pay tribute to Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz, editor of the litvish Yated Ne’eman newspaper and a key player in the public advocacy for Rubashkin. The two have become close friends over the years.

Video:

Lipschutz began with saying a L’chaim and spoke in a captivating and candid manner, straight into the hearts of the bochurim. He began with a powerful message directed at Judge Linda Reade, and briefly recapped what he discovered through his involvement for the last 10 years on Rubashkin’s behalf.

He described how for years, he was always on guard, alert to his cell phone in case he would receive a call from Rubashkin. He recounted his efforts on behalf of Rubashkin, even when he was a lone voice calling for justice.

He also emphasized the importance of the years in Yeshiva, not just as a place to collect information, but as a place to absorb the true values of a Torah Yid.

Yehudah Malchovsky, a Bochur in Shiur Alef, shared how the Farbrengen was not just inspiring but it was also so practical, because of the down to earth manner in which the ideals were delivered in layman’s terms.

“Chassidus discusses the two common challenges in serving Hashem,” Rabbi Sternberg said. “One of the rich and one of the poor man. When one is blessed with riches, it can be challenging to remain humble and attribute the success to the Oibershter, and it’s easy to begin to feel too independent.

“The poor man finds it very challenging to accept his G-d given lot, and to remain connected with Ahavas Hashem despite the challenge of faith and lack of security in life…

“Reb Sholom Mordechai embodies a person that stood on both sides of the aisle and demonstrated for all to learn the power of a Yid and his connection to Hashem,” he said.

“The bochurim were extremely touched and inspired, spending the evening hearing from true giants in Avodas Hashem, and returned with renewed energy to learn in Yeshiva and strive to becoming as connected to their truth as possible,” Rabbi Sternberg related afterwards.

“The unity at this event was remarkable,” Dudy Farkash told COLlive. “All types of people came to participate, from Chabad, to Litvish, to Satmar, and others. It was so moving.”

“As we are now 30 days before Yud Shvat, the event really brought out the Rebbe’s message of Ahavas Yisroel on the highest level. It’s just amazing.”