Twenty-five years ago the Berlin Wall fell, along with the Soviet empire. How did the Rebbe predict the end of a powerful enemy? And encourage the renewal of Torah? The Avner Institute presents two anecdotes – one from distinguished scientist Herman (Yirmiyahu) Branover; the other by Rabbi Leibel Posner, one of the first Lubavitcher Yeshiva students in 1940s America – highlighting the critical years of Chabad during Russian terror, the Rebbe’s triumph over evil, and his early role, as editor-in-chief, in disseminating Chassidism on American soil.
In loving memory of Hadassah Lebovic A”h

Beyond Belief

Professor Branover relates:

If anyone had told me back in 1989 that the Soviet Union was about to collapse, without warning, I would have thought him or her insane.

This system, which for seven decades had imposed fear into hundreds of millions, seemed firmly locked in place. The Western world had no idea just how powerful was the impact of the October 1917 revolution and how vast the apparatus it created, governing every aspect of Soviet life.

However, as one who grew up in the Soviet Union at that time, I remember the days when thousands of Jews were harassed because they kept Torah and mitzvoth, or identified themselves as Lubavitcher Chassidim. Whatever the Soviet “man on the street” suffered was nothing compared to the lot of Soviet Jewry, particularly Chabad. In fact one released secret police file revealed a report, concluding with the following: “In light of all the aforementioned, the accused is undoubtedly one of Schneersohn’s people.” A mere association with the Rebbe was enough to send that person to the firing squad.

Therefore, when the Berlin Wall fell, and one by one the nations of Eastern Europe renounced an evil regime, the whole scene seemed unbelievable to everyone.

Except the Rebbe.

As with many other matters, the Rebbe was the only one who promised – even as far back as the 1960s – that while Communism appeared omnipotent, it was only a façade, a falsehood built on empty, heathen promise. The time would come when that façade would topple and pass from the earth.

Big & Little Letters

Rabbi Posner relates:

It was sixty years ago, right before Purim. I was learning Chassidus in the small, private room.

At about eight p.m. the door suddenly opened, and the Rebbe’s secretary, Rabbi Chadakov, entered.

“I need a word with you,” he said.

Nervously I followed him to the nearby office of Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, the publishing and educational division of Chabad-Lubavitch. Seated there was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

He wasn’t then Rebbe – instead the Previous Rebbe’s son-in-law. But as head of Merkos, he was already displaying future leadership talents

“I need you to run an errand for me,” the Rebbe began right away. Although he seemed relaxed, I still trembled in awe before such a Torah giant.

He pointed to some sefarim, holy books, on the table. “On behalf of Merkos you must take these with you,” he continued. “New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania – they must be advertised. People must know about our publications.”

Bear in mind, back then Chabad-Lubavitch was not as big as it is now. Basically, this pile of sefarim, which could easily fit into one bag, comprised our entire catalog.

The Rebbe continued his instructions. I was to travel for a week, then take the train to Pittsburgh, where my family lived at the time. I nodded, and scooped up the pile of books.

“Just one moment,” the Rebbe said.

He stared at me intently. “When looking at others, see their good qualities. When looking at yourself, see your deficiencies. Chassidim say that the Torah was given in different-sized letters – large and small.”

I blinked uncomprehendingly. Then, I nervously asked the Rebbe to clarify his remark.

“Big letters and little letters,” he said, “Asvon ravrevin and asvon z’erin.”

Then I understood. The Rebbe was saying that the other person’s good qualities had to be seen with “big letters,” while their flaws had to be seen with the “small.”

The Rebbe smiled, then concluded with a blessing for a good trip.

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