Uncommon Reply to Yarchei Kallah

Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Raskin (son of R’ Chaim Bentzion), of blessed memory, was born in 1901 in Gzhatsk (present-day Gagarin), Russia, to a lineage of Chabad Chassidim back to the time of the founder of Chabad, Rabbi Schenur Zalman of Liadi. He served as a Mohel and Shochet in Rishon Letzion, Israel then later in Kfar Chabad. He passed away in Israel in 1986.

In 1941, during Germany’s invasion of Russia, he and his family miraculously fled Leningrad (S. Petersburg), Russia, and settled in Alma-Ata (Almaty), Kazakhstan, where the Rebbe’s parents, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, of righteous memory, would relocate in 1944. In his magnificent diary, Rabbi Raskin recorded, at length, the period when he and his family had the unique privilege of serving the Rebbe’s parents in Alma-Ata.

In 1974, with the Rebbe’s fervent encouragement, Yarchai Kallah, the annual conference of Torah scholars from across the globe, was founded, in the Catskill Mountains, and is held in observance of the yahrtzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, of righteous memory.

The following is a section of Rabbi Raskin’s diary from 1981 translated from Hebrew for an upcoming book on the life of his son, Rabbi Dovid Raskin OBM published by his grandson Bentzion Pearson. It demonstrates the Rebbe’s encouragement to participate in the Melava Malka program of Yarchai Kallah:

On Thursday, 20 Menachem-Av, I participated in the Tefilos and Farbrengen of the Rebbe, may he be well, marking the Yartzeit of his father, the saintly Harav Levi Yitzchok, may his merit protect us.

During the Farbrengen of Shabbos Parshas Eikev, 22 Menachem-Av, I had the great merit that the Rebbe, may he be well, entrusted me with a Shlichus (together with Rabbi Yosef Nemoytin) to travel to [Camp] Gan Yisroel on Motzei Shabbos [to participate in the Yarchai Kallah Melava Malka] and share my memories from the period that I was fortunate to serve Harav Levi Yitzchok, nishmoso Eden.

With the Shlichus, we received cake (lekach) from his holy hand, which had been on his platter. The Rebbe instructed R’ Leib Groner to bring a bag, and placed the cake into the bag. Then, the Rebbe took a bottle of vodka, poured some of it into another cup [another version: into his kiddush cup], then filled up the bottle with the remainder of his kiddish cup, which was then given to me. When the Rebbe made kiddush, he had added some vodka, from a small bottle, to his cup.) He then told us, “This is mashke from a Farbrengen held behind the Iron Curtain. There, when they make a Farbrengen, it is with mesiras nefesh and great danger.” The Rebbe then instructed us to distribute the mashke and cake to the participants on Motzei Shabbos [at the Melava Malka].

After Havdalah, we (my son R’ Dovid, his son-in-law, Yehuda Dovid, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Mentlik, and I) departed for Gan Yisroel. As per the Rebbe’s instruction during the Farbrengen, we traveled with a fine vehicle (for the journey to be more pleasant, etc.) that was arranged by my son R’ Dovid. The ride went smoothly (and took approximately 3 hours).

When we arrived, the hall was jam-packed. We entered during the speech of Rabbi Tendler (son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein). Afterwards, Rabbis Yaakov Schwei and Mordechai Mentlik spoke. Then I was honored to speak. I related memories of the period of when I had the great privilege to serve the saintly and righteous Harav Levi Yitzchok, may his merit protect us. I emphasized the extraordinary kindness and mercy that G-d had granted my family and me to survive the hardships of the war, boarding the last train (shortly before the Germans, yimach shimam, bombed all the bridges from Leningrad), and eventually reaching and settling in Alma-Ata.

In retrospect, we see clearly why we were meant to settle in Alma-Ata: “For it was to preserve life that G-d sent me” [Bereishis 47:7] – to rescue Harav Levi Yitzchok from his exile in Chiali [Kazakhstan] and arrange for him to move to Alma-Ata, where we had the great merit to serve him and Rebbetzin Chana, of righteous memory.

When the speeches concluded, we organized two lines on each side of the table to distribute the mashke and mezonos. I stood at one end of the table and R. Nemoytin stood on the other end; in this manner, we distributed the mashke and mezonos to all the Anash and guests, as the Rebbe instructed us. Afterwards, we had a lively dance while singing joyous nigunim.

Then R’ Avraham Shemtov, who had organized the event, led us to the camp’s new post office [Kiryat Gan Israel, NY 12768], where we had a wonderful dance inside and then in the courtyard. We departed at approximately 4:00 a.m., while many Anash remained farbrenging until dawn; there was plenty of mashke, mezonos, and fruit for all.

The next day, I wrote a lengthy letter (duch) to the Rebbe about the Melava Malka, in general, and my speech, in particular, in great detail. I was fortunate to receive the Rebbe’s answer immediately: “המכ’ נל’ ת”ח ת”ח [המכתב נלקח תשואות חן תשואות חן]” [loose translation: “Your letter was accepted; much thanks.”].

I was unfamiliar with the term “נלקח” (as opposed to the usual נתקבל = received), so I approached the Rebbe’s secretary for an explanation, and he explained to me that when the Rebbe answers נלקח”” it is of great significance (חשיבות יתירה)…

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Chassidim and bochurim are invited to participate in the Yarchai Kallah Melave Malka, this Motzoei Shabbos Parshas Eikev, 23 Menachem-Av, 11:00, p.m., at Camp Gan Israel, 487 Parksville Road, Parksville, NY, 12768.