Living Torah Archives

The Jewish Congress must also have a charity box, put this in the charity box at the Congress, it couldn’t hurt. You can put the computers to use and perhaps calculate when Moshiach will arrive. As long as it doesn’t delay his coming…

Rabbi Efraim Schmuckler has served as rabbi of the Geriatric Center in Montreal, Canada for over thirty years. In 1970, during an audience with the Rebbe, he asked for a blessing that his uncle succeed in leaving Soviet Russia. The Rebbe gave him a blessing, but made it conditional on him keeping it secret. He was elated to have received assurances from the Rebbe, but was dismayed when he failed to live up to the condition the Rebbe had set.

The release of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson from Soviet Russia was more than a victory for an individual. The approach which proved to be successful in lobbying the Soviets to agree to his release was one of quiet yet forceful diplomacy, far away from the public arena.

When Irina Markish became active in the protests and demonstrations calling for the release of Soviet Jewry and on behalf of her husband, David Markish, in particular, her advocacy led her to a surprising and fruitful meeting with the Rebbe. (1972)

While Professor Evsey Nemoytin served as dean of Kazakh State University, his parents ran an underground mikvah. In the 1970s, the Rebbe arranged their eventual exit from the Soviet Union. Professor Nemoytin recalls the Rebbe’s valuable advice, as well as his delight at learning that the Rebbe understood his field of research. (Includes footage filmed by Rabbi Berel Levy to be smuggled out to the Rebbe.)

Rabbi Yoel Kahn, a leading authority on Chabad Chasidic thought, recalls being present at a Purim farbrengen in 770 when the Rebbe told a very unusual story. But even more unusual, were the events which unfolded soon after. (1953)

Dr. David Luchins served on the staff of US Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan for twenty years. He reveals the Rebbe’s influence in bringing down the Iron Curtain.

After the passing of his mother, Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, in 1964, the Rebbe began holding a farbrengen, chassidic gathering and public address, on the date of her yahrzeit. This gathering would be dedicated to her legacy, and to the mission of the Jewish woman.