By Dovid Zaklikowski for COLlive.com and Hasidic Archives
In 1924, Rabbi Menachem Tzvi Rivkin, known as the Ramatz, accepted a rabbinic position at the Chabad synagogue in Manchester at the recommendation of the sixth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (the “Rayatz”).
The synagogue, Khal Chassidim Nusach Ari, had been established in 1897. “You should inspire the community, to come to daily prayer services, and to make time for the study of Chassidic philosophy,” the Rayatz wrote him.
“Your spirit should not deflate when you see the vast amount of work…in strengthening the spirituality of the Jews in the city,” the Rayatz added, “for as the founder of Chassidism, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, states, ‘The natural way of the world is that first there is pain and then success.'”
In England, Rabbi Rivkin represented Chabad and raised funds for the impoverished schools in Europe that were forced underground due to Soviet oppression. He was a respected rabbinic figure and served on the local rabbinic court in Manchester.
An immigrant from Russia, he was a foreigner in the English city of Manchester. Wearing a Russian kasket on his head and sporting a long black beard, the scholarly rabbi was an anomaly to the typical Englishman.
When his congregation requested that he exchange his Russian hat for the more contemporary top hat, Rabbi Rivkin wrote to the sixth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn.
The Rebbe Rayatz responded that he should follow the custom of the community. He fulfilled the rebbe’s request, and a top hat remained on his head always.
During World War II, the Germans bombed England as part of a Blitzkrieg (“lightning war”), a military tactic of mobile forces and locally concentrated firepower.
Rabbi Rivkin’s home was one of the buildings that were hit.
Much of the house collapsed while Rabbi Rivkin was sitting in his study; shrapnel came flying toward him, and the door crashed upon him. His only protection was the top hat, which likely saved him from a fatal injury.
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It’s not that there is a problem with a top hat, if there was one he wouldn’t wear it. It’s if he should change his levush ir not.
Why was there even a question about wearing a top hat? Many very frum rabbonim wore them, including the fervently Orthodox Rav Eliezer Silver, and the Rashag.
He went to shul to daven mincha on erev Yom Kippur. He passed away leaving the shul after Mincha. Because he already went to mikvah and had davened Mincha with Viduy, they were able to bury him before Yom Kippur.
It’s about him being born (which made his life being saved even possible)
Interesting story but not a better one. I think the one about his life being saved is better than his life being taken.
The real story with Rabbi Rivkin is the earring!! His mother had lost earlier babies, and went to the Rebbe Maharash (I think) for a bracha. The Rebbe gave an earring to his father, and told him to put it on his baby. When the baby, Rabbi Rivkin, was born, he put on the earring and he never took it off. Erev YK, he went to mikvah and when he came out it was gone. Hey searched everywhere, even draining the mikvah, but it was not to be found, and sadly, he passed away before Kol Nidre. You can see… Read more »