Chabad Author Travels To Russia

Rabbi Dovid Eliezrie, author of the upcoming first ever comprehensive biography of the Friedeker Rebbe, “Undaunted-the life of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson”, has recently returned from an extensive research trip in Russia. Full Story, Photos

October 1, 2022 – 6 Tishri 5783

Eliezrie explained, “to properly understand the Rebbe’s amazing life it’s imperative to visit the places that he lived.” The Rebbe spent the first 47 years of his life in Russia, growing up in Lubavitch, fleeing the German invasion with his father the Rebbe Rashab to Rostov-On-Don, and finally in St. Petersburg until this arrest in 1927. Rabbi Eliezrie was able to visit all of these locations and Moscow.

Rabbi Eliezrie visited Lubavitch, where he was able to view the work to rebuild the historic Chatzer-where the Rebbe’s lived and the original Tomchie Timimim existed. The airport in Rostov is closed so Rabbi Eliezrie took a 16-hour train ride from Moscow to reach the city. In Rostov, he visited the home of the Rebbe Rashab lived and the Ohel. In St. Petersburg Eliezrie was permitted to view the Rebbe’s apartment and Spalenka Prison, which is still used for serious offenders. “I rang the bell, and they opened the secured doorway to a small fortified lobby, but would not allow access to the prison.”

In addition to visiting where the Rebbe lived Eliezrie met with local historians and researchers. “We are constantly finding new material on the Rebbe’s life from a wide variety of sources, including family testimonies and historical archives.” One of the most valuable sources have been the vital information that has been collected from the JEM archives, he noted, “those testimonies of Chassidim of their interactions with the Rebbe have proven invaluable.” In addition, families have provided written documents, as well as audio tapes of Chassidim that have passed away and their involvement with the Rebbe.”

During Rabbi Eliezrie’s visit the Shluchim in each community were an invaluable hope. “It is amazing to the vibrancy of Jewish life in Russia and astonishing achievements of the Shluchim in creating a Jewish renaissance in the country,” Rabbi Eliezrie said.

To provide material email rabbi@ocjewish.com

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Outside the Zal in Lubavitch is being rebuilt with lumber from the area as it was originally constructed by the Rebbe Maharash

Wrting the book in inside the Shul adjacent to the Ohel in Lubavitch

The Shul adjacent to the Ohel in Lubatich, rebuilt on the original foundation as it was in the time of the Rebbe Rashab

Inside the Ohel of the Rebbitzens in Lubavitch, wives Alter Rebbe, Mitteler Rebbe, Tzemach Tzedek

In the Ohel in Lubavitch of the Tzemach Tzedek and Rebbe Maharash

The site of the historic train station in Rudniya, where Chassidim would come on the way to Lubavitch

The Shul adjacent to the Ohel in Lubatich, rebuilt on the original foundation as it was in the time of the Rebbe Rashab

Ohel of the Rebbe Rashab

Rabbi Chaim Danzinger, Shliach in Rostov and Rabbi Eliezrie in front of the exact place the Rebbe Rashab was nistalek

Entrance from the inside of the Courtyard of the home of the Rebbe Rashab.

Pathway to the Ohel of the Rebbe Rashab

Courtyard home of the Rebbe Rashab

Outside the entrance to Splalenka Prison

Spalenka Prison, it is still being used for serious offenders today

Inside the Rebbe's Apartment in St. Petersburg with Rabbi Mendel Pewsner, Possibly this is the window where the Rebbitzen warned the Rebbe that the Frierdiker Rebbe was being arrested