BH The 22nd of Shevat marks the passing of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, devoted wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe: My Very Dear and special Friend Dr. Dovid Sholom Pape Relates 2 stories of the Rebbetzin: BH My dear friends, Unfortunately, we lost three precious souls in the past few days: Rebbetzin Kenny Deren of Pittsburgh; Rabbi Shlomo Lakein of Crown Heights; and Rebbetzin Chassia Kudan of Hollywood, Florida. Hashem should comfort their families amongst all the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim. Thursday this week, ie, today, the 22nd day of Shevat, is the yahrzeit of our beloved Rebbetzin, Chaya Mushka Schneerson, of blessed memory. Thousands of women from all over the world will be coming to Crown Heights for Shabbos, to participate in an international convention of shluchos (emissaries of the Rebbe), which is held in her honor. The name of the Rebbetzin was given on the suggestion of the Rebbe Rashab, her grandfather, for this was the name of his grandmother, the wife of the Tzemach Tzedek (third Rebbe of Lubavitch). Chaya means life, and Mushka means musk, a fragrant perfume. However, friends called her Moussia or Moussie. So far as I have heard, the Rebbe never referred to her by name, but would only refer to the Rebbetzin as his wife. She also never mentioned the Rebbe by name, but referred to him as the Rebbe or my husband. I once came across the following extraordinary story about her courage: Shortly before the Second World War, the Rebbes brother, Reb Yisroel Arieh Leib, was living in Germany. It had become very dangerous to be there, and he desperately needed papers to get out. The Rebbe and Rebbetzin were in Paris at that time. Somehow, the Rebbe succeeded in getting a visa for his brother which would enable him to leave Germany and go to Eretz Yisroel. The problem was, how would they get the papers to him ? The Rebbe was ready to go, but the Rebbetzin insisted that he dare not. She said firmly that she would take the documents herself. It would too dangerous for the Rebbe in Germany. He would surely be arrested. She took the train to Germany, and arrived without mishap. She went to the room where Reb Yisroel Arieh Leib was staying, and knocked on the door. Who is there? he asked. Moussia, she replied. Only then did he open the door. She saw that he was covered in blood. He had just been beaten up in the street. She bandaged his wounds, and cared for him, and gave him the documents he needed. Then she took the train back to France. At the border, she was stopped by a suspicious Nazi officer, who did not believe that her maiden name and her married name could be the same. Fortunately, in the end he let her go, but threatened to come looking for her when Germany would conquer France, which in fact was very soon afterwards. He kept his word and came to arrest her, but fortunately the Rebbetzin noticed him in the street, and ran for her life, and hid with friends. The bottom line is that thanks to her fearless behavior, Reb Yisroel Arieh Leib was able to get out of Germany just in time. Let me tell you another story. Often, when the Rebbe would fahrbreng on important occasions, the Rebbetzin would invite friends to be with her at home, and they would have their own special gathering. One time, she asked the ladies not to stay later than 9:30 pm. Shortly after they had all gone, another lady arrived. The Rebbetzin received her warmly and spoke with her for a long time. When they finished, the Rebbetzin asked the household attendant, Rabbi Chessed Halberstam, to drive the lady back to her home in Manhattan. On the way, Chessed asked, what was her connection was with the Rebbetzin. This is the story she told: I work in the New York Public Library. I am also a Holocaust survivor. I got married after the war, but for close to ten years I didnt have any children. It made me very upset. Once I heard that many people had been helped by a blessing from the Lubavitcher Rebbe. So I came to Brooklyn to see him and ask for a brocha. The Rebbe said he would give me a blessing for children, if I accepted upon myself to do some Mitzvah anything connected with Yiddishkeit. I asked what the Rebbe would suggest. He said, Shabbos candles. Two years went by and nothing happened. Once, the Rebbetzin came to the library. When I saw her library card with the name Schneerson on It, I asked if she had any connection with Rabbi Schneerson of Brooklyn. She said she was his wife. I told her that I was upset with her husband. Your husband gave me a brocha, but I still have no children. I also have no children, the Rebbetzin replied. I started to cry, and said that Id gone through the Holocaust, and there was no one left from my family except myself. The Rebbetzin asked me to tell her exactly what the Rebbe had asked me to do. I said, To light Shabbos candles. Nu, and did you light? the Rebbetzin asked. Yes, I replied, Ive been lighting for two years. When do you light? she asked. Every Friday night, when my husband gets home from work. Then the Rebbetzin explained to me, at length, what Shabbos is, and how we have to light Shabbos candles at the right time, 18 minutes before sunset. A month later I was pregnant. After I was blessed with a son, I got in touch with the Rebbetzin, so that I could thank her. She invited me to come over today at 9:30, so that I could visit her at her house. It was because of her that the Rebbes brocha worked; if she had not helped me, I would have continued to light incorrectly, at the wrong time. The Rebbe would often say, the life of the Rebbetzin should inspire us to conduct ourselves in her spirit, which means with her kindness, her modesty, her courage, and her yiras shomayim. Then her life will truly be eternal. Have a good Shabbos, and bench in a happy month. When Adar comes in, we increase in joy. Your good friend, Dovid Sholom PS: Please say an urgent prayer for Chaya Chana bas Golda Sima, Chana bas Dina, Zilpa bas Itke, Golda Leah bas Chaya, and Faigel bas Leah, Sorah Sandel Bat Freeda, Ohr Devorah bas Sara, and Chaviva Bat Shelbiya; and for Chaim ben Esther, Alter Schneur Zalman ben Gittel Leah, Daniel Reuven ben Dina, Nochum Elazar ben Chaya, Ephraim ben Leah, Casriel ben Faigel Udel, Avraham ben Rivka, Zev Yosef Halevi ben Devorah Leah. We should hear good news that they are all well. And a yeshua kerova for Sholom Mordechai Halevi ben Rivka, and Sholom Ber ben Hefziba, and anyone else in need of our prayers. Many thanks.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 03:22:04 +0000
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