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Chanukah 3 The miracle of Chanukah in our time. Today's battles against assimilation. This story was first told around 18 months ago, it now bears repeating. R' Avrohom Tzvi Greenwald was born in Lodz in 1910. Orphaned at an early age he was raised by his cousin R' Menachem Zemba, one of the leaders of Polish Jewry until he was killed in the Warsaw ghetto. In 1927, some days after the wedding of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to the daughter of the previous Rebbe, he had the opportunity with his great cousin to meet with the Rebbe. As they parted the Rebbe turned to them and said, "Do you know why on the fifth candle of Chanukah there is special joy among Chassidim? Because the fifth night can never fall on Shabbos. The fifth candle can therefore illuminate the greatest darkness. This is the job of every Jew in every place; whether in Warsaw or London ... to illuminate the darkest spot. R' Avrohom Tzvi lived through the horrors of the war. He saw his wife and five children murdered before him by the Nazis. In 1948 he came to America where encouraged by his uncle he managed to restablish himself and remarried. Before his marriage he met again with the Rebbe who recognised him. After discussing the last days of R' Menachem Zemba and the Warsaw Ghetto the Rebbe turned and said, "Do you know why on the fifth candle of Chanukah there is special joy among Chassidim? Because the fifth night can never fall on Shabbos. The fifth candle can therefore illuminate the greatest darkness. This is the job of every Jew in every place; whether in New York or London ... to illuminate the darkest spot." R' Avrohom Tzvi became a Satmar Chassid and settled in Toronto. Before the marriage of his eldest child, R' Moshe Chaim in 1969, they went to receive the Brochah of the Rebbe. Upon entering the Rebbe's room the Rebbe said, "20 years, it is about time, especially since my father in law sent you to me." After giving his blessing the Rebbe said, "Just as you rejoiced at my wedding, may Hashem give you the strength to be at your grandchild's wedding." As they were about to go R' Avrohom Tzvi asked, "Living amongst Satmar Chassidim I have heard many complaints about Lubavitch. How is it that Lubavitcher Chassidim go into the midst of those who profane the Torah and Mitzvos?" The Rebbe responded. "What would a zealous neighbour of yours do if his daughter strayed from the proper path? Would he reach out to help her, or would he say "The enemies of Hashem I should dislike" and therefore distance himself from her and not want to show friendship? This zealot would certainly answer "this case is different, since we are dealing with my daughter, we may not turn a blind eye." The Rebbe banged on the table and said, "Before the A-lmighty every Jew is as dear as an only son. We may not turn a blind eye to any Jew." As they turned to go the Rebbe continued, "Why on the fifth candle of Chanukah there is special joy among Chassidim? Because the fifth night can never fall on Shabbos. The fifth candle can therefore illuminate the greatest darkness. This is the job of every Jew in every place; whether in Toronto or London ... to illuminate the darkest spot." R' Avrohom Tzvi was shocked to hear these words again. He could not make sense of it. In 1978 R' Avrohom Tzvi's youngest son was to get married in London. The entire family travelled to London for the occasion. Several minutes before he left his home in Toronto, his neighbour, a Satmar Chassid, came in crying uncontrollably. His daughter had left the ways of Judaism. He had just heard that two weeks earlier she had travelled to London with her non-Jewish boy friend. He pleaded that R' Avrohom Tzvi try and do something while he was there. At the first night of the Sheva Brochos R' Avrohom Tzvi turned to the bride's father and after relating his neighbour's story, asked for help. The Kallah's father recommended speaking to R' Avrohom Yitzchok Glick, a leading Lubavitcher Chassid. After taking some information and calling Toronto, Rabbi Glick promised to do what he could. Several nights later Rabbi Glick called and asked that R' Avrohom Tzvi come to his home. Upon entering he saw the neighbour's daughter sitting and crying. Before her stood the Chanukah menorah lit with five candles, as the night was the fifth night of Chanukah. R' Avrohom Tzvi suddenly heard the words the Rebbe told him 50 years before, 30 years before, and then again 10 years earlier. "The fifth night of Chanukah illuminates the greatest darkness, whether in Warsaw or London ...whether in New York or London ...whether in Toronto or London .. what would your zealous neighbour do if his daughter strayed? ... For the A-lmighty every Jew is an only child... we may not turn a blind eye to any Jew. R' Avrohom Tzvi Greenwald passed away on 15th Kislev 1989, after the final Sheva Brochos for his eldest grandchild. These events were related by R' Moshe Chaim Greenwald, R' Avrohom Tzvi's son, who was there. |
