By COLlive reporter
Rebbetzin Tzivia Eliyahu, widow of Israel’s former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu OBM, recently spoke about her husband’s close connection with the Rebbe.
The interview with her will be published next week in the extended edition of the Kfar Chabad Magazine published in honor of Gimmel Tammuz.
“The Rebbe is the father and I am the son,” she quoted her revered husband as saying and recalled him giving out L’Chaim with a spoon from a small bottle he got from the Rebbe so there was enough for all.
On the dark and painful day of Tammuz 3, 5754, Rabbi and Rebbetzin Eliyahu were in San Fransisco for a gala dinner of Magain David Sephardim Congregation, led by her brother Rabbi Eliahu Shalom Ezran.
“We were there for Shabbos and the dinner was to take place on Sunday,” she said. “On Sunday morning I felt that something is being hidden from me. I was sure something happened in Eretz Yisroel. When I asked, they told me all is fine.”
Rebbetzin Eliyahu continued to suspect a major news event had happened and asked the non-Jewish maintenance man if something occurred in the Jewish world.
“You didn’t hear?” he replied with surprise. “The Rebbe of Lubavitch is…”
Upon sharing the devastating news with her husband, he immediately said: “We’re going. Without delay.”
His brother in law tried to convince the guest speaker of his dinner to remain, telling him that he can go the next day as New York will be packed with people.
“Do you thing that from Heaven they brought us here for your dinner? We are here, with Divine Providence, to take part in the Rebbe’s funeral,” Rabbi Eliyahu replied.
“You were the messenger that in his merit I am here on this day,” he added and blessed Rabbi Ezran with success with his dinner and activities.
When the time of the levaya, leaving from 770 Eastern Parkway, was publicized, Rebbetzin Eliyahu realized that they wouldn’t make it there in time.
“Perhaps you can call the Rebbe’s secretariat to see if they can hold off the funeral for a few hours so more people can attend,” she suggested.
“Don’t worry. We are going to get there on time,” said Rabbi Eliyahu, who was known as a kabbalist and a miracle worker.
Rebbetzin Eliyahu tells that they landed an hour and a half prior to the estimated time of arrival in New York.
The NYPD was contacted in advance by the Rebbe’s secretariat and an escort car helped them make their way to the Old Montefiore Cemetery in Queens.
“We got there at the same time as when the aron arrived to the cemetery,” she said.
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Harav mordechi Eliahu was a great person..
We have been so lucky to have known him well and to
See him regularly and he had so much love for the rebbe.. What a tzadick the world has lost..