At the beginning of the new year 5784, the book “HaMoreh Tzvi – The Life Story and Work of the Chabad Educator Rabbi Mordechai Tzvi Greenwald,” a new and valuable book in the field of Chasidic and educational literature, has been released.
Throughout the life of the Chosid Rabbi Tzvi Greenwald, who passed away five and a half years ago on 3 Iyar 5778, he was dedicated to others. This is true both in educating the children of Israel and bringing them closer to Torah and Chasidus, as part of his role as an educator for many years in the vocational school, where he taught Torah and instilled Chasidishkeit among the students, and in his role as a lecturer and host of hundreds of Chabad evenings, and at various public events and gatherings.
For many years, Rabbi Greenwald’s figure stood out at hundreds of “Chabad evenings”, gatherings, and conventions, and he took a leading part in spreading Judaism and Chasidus as an influential lecturer and mashpia.
He was known to as Rabbi Tzvi, making accessible the values of Chasidus in a clear and rich language, with no less rich content. Tens of thousands heard him speak over the years, and he always knew how to captivate and connect people to what he was teaching.
In the last year, the extended Greenwald family of his descendants initiated the writing and publication of a special book that will illustrate their father’s great work. The work was entrusted to the Chabad writer Rabbi Zusha Wolf, who has edited and published many books on Chabad history and documented the lives of many respected Chasidim.
After comprehensive work that lasted a full year, the book “Tzvi the Teacher” has now been published in a beautiful and magnificent edition of approximately 450 pages, beautifully printed in full color with many pictures and authentic documents.
The new book contains fifteen chapters, from describing his childhood growing up in the house of his father, Rabbi Shlomo Greenwald, who taught for many years at the yeshiva in Lod, until his last days. The book is full of many revelations, including holy letters published for the first time, many stories of his interactions with the Rebbe, and more.
The main chapters in this book deal with his career in education, spanning forty years, during which he devoted himself to education at the vocational school in Kfar Chabad, as well as how he “ran like a Tzvi – Deer,” to all his dedicated activity for many years at Chabad evenings and many other events – touching all those involved in education and guidance work, bringing many closer to Hashem and Yiddishkeit.
A special section of the book contains a list of dozens of sayings, words and original Torah pearls of wisdom that were commonly heard from Rabbi Tzvi.
The publisher of the book, Rabbi Shlomo Greenwald from Crown Heights, Rabbi Tzvi’s grandson says: “Although the new book ‘Tzvi the Teacher’ mainly describes an individual Chasidic figure and family man, there is no doubt that it has great interest for all Chasidim and Tmimim.
“There is much content in its chapters about instructions from the Rebbe regarding education as well as bringing people closer to Judaism. There are amazing stories about his devotion to education, guidance work as well as outreach activities. Anyone involved in education or outreach will certainly find great interest in all these. Even in its other chapters, any reader or researcher – whether they are a Chabad scholar or Shliach involved in community service or a tomim in Yeshiva – will find great interest in the stories of an exceptional Chosid from our generation who was completely devoted to our Rebbe and was always full of an abundance of ideas.”
From the inside cover:
“Winning Hearts” – this is an appropriate definition to describe Rabbi Tzvi Greenwald.
From his youth upwards Rabbi Greenwald was not only tall but also had a large personality that was pleasant to everyone regardless of age or background. Thousands met Rabbi Greenwald during his lifetime through his activities spreading Judaism and Chassidus. He won everyone over with charm simplicity and wisdom.
From just shaking his hand you could feel warmth and genuine concern for every Jew. Anyone who got to know him saw different sides to his unique personality; different sides to his actions which combined into an extraordinary and inspiring personality. Quietness versus extraordinary speech power versus kind heartedness and greatness versus humility.
The book “Tzvi the Teacher” presents fascinating life stories and descriptions of Rabbi Greenwald’s unique personality, emphasizing his great work in education and teaching and spreading wellsprings outward – so that his figure and actions will be an example for family members and many others to learn and teach to hear and do.
The new book can be obtained in bookstores in the Holy Land as well as in bookstores in Crown Heights. The new book can also be purchased online here.
