By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive & Hasidic Archives
On Shabbos, the 10th of Shevat 5710 (19500, Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Raichik, was in Chicago, staying with Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht, the local Chabad Shliach.
After Shabbos, when they received the news that the Rebbe Rayatz had passed away. Immediately, together with several others, Rabbi Raichik caught a plane to New York to attend the funeral.
Despite his grief, Rabbi Raichik, the famed Shliach in California, continued his work uninterrupted. In a letter to Rabbi Moshe Leib Rodstein, an aide of the Rebbe Rayatz and later the Rebbe, he described his commitment to the Rebbe Rayatz’s legacy.
A month later, he had already composed a report of his activities to the Ramash, who would soon become the Rebbe, describing his accomplishments in S. Louis, Kansas City and Detroit, as well as the dedication of a publication.
Rabbi Yisroel Gordon recalled that during the visit to S. Louis, Rabbi Raichik met with Rabbi Menachem Zvi Eichenstein, the city’s chief rabbi.
When Rabbi Eichenstein asked why he was visiting S. Louis, Rabbi Raichik replied that he was raising funds in support of the Rebbe Rayatz, haka”m (an honorific title used during the first year after someone has passed away).
“How can you collect funds for a person who passed away?” Rabbi Eichenstein asked.
The simplicity and sincerity of Rabbi Raichik’s reply touched him deeply: “I cannot say what level the Rebbe has attained in heaven, but his work here still continues. This is why I am raising funds.”
Back in Los Angeles, Rabbi Raichik wrote to the Ramash, asking what his mission should be after the Rebbe Rayatz’s passing.
In a return letter, the Ramash added in his own handwriting (Iyar 10, 5710 [1950]): “Wishing you the best in fulfilling the mission which my father-in-law, the Rebbe, of righteous memory, has given to you, to bring the light of Chassidus to the area you currently find yourself in, to connect those around you to the Tree of Life, until we are redeemed from this exile, may it be speedily in our days.”
On the 24th of Av, the Ramash wrote that he should also encourage communities to study practical halachah, so that the inspiration he provided would have a lasting impact on their lives. He added that they should be encouraged to give tzedakah.
“In addition to the results that you clearly see during your visits in a city or town,” he wrote, “more changes take place without your immediately being aware of them. Later fruit comes as a result of your ‘sowing’ during your actual visit. For holiness produces fruit, and fruit from that fruit, until eternity. … As the Rebbe [Rayatz] stated, ‘Holiness is infinite.'”
On the 10 of Shevat 5711, exactly one year after his father-in-law’s passing, the Ramash accepted leadership of the movement and became the seventh Chabad Rebbe. Under the leadership of the Rebbe, Rabbi Raichik continued his work as a shadar. Later, the Rebbe appointed him to the boards of three central Chabad organizations: Agudas Chasidei Chabad, Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch and Machne Israel.
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I remember Reb SD HaLevi A”H, he was a real Tzadik, he ran away from the Nazis Y”S lost his whole family, he was a Chasid of the Friediker Rebbe as well as the Rebbe, ppl said abt him that he was a Bayneni, he really cared abt every yid, may he have an Aliyas HaNeshama, Yehi Zichro Baruch
This is a very beautiful way of honoring HaRav Shmuel D. Raichik Zt”l on his 20th Yartzeit, which was the 8th of Shvat 5778, Tyvmfs (Thank you very much for sharing) may his Neshama have an Aliyah & may he be a Maylit Yosher 2 demand that HKB”H send the Geulah Now !!
There is a book coming out about Rabbi Raichik. It seems like this is an excerpt. looking forward!!
The greatest Shliach ever . volumes should be written about him and his chevrusa Reb Mendel ben Menachem Mendel Futerfas👍👍👍👍👍👍👀👀👀