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Weekly Chasidic Story # 1362 (5784-19) 5 Shevat 5784 (Jan.15, 2024) "How to Fool The Secret Police" Connection: This Shabbat, the tenth of the Jewish month of Shvat, is the 74th yahrzeit of the Rebbe Rayatz (and the 73nd anniversary of his son-in-law officially ascending to the Leadership of Chabad) Story in PDF format for more convenient printing How to Fool The Secret Police
The year 5687 (1927) marked a stormy period in the fight between communism and Judaism in the USSR. The men of the Yevisekziya (Jewish division of the NKVD ) were trying desperately to snuff out the flame of Yiddishkeit. One of the ways they used to catch their fish was through planting undercover agents everywhere to be informers, bringing terror into the hearts of the people. In the city of Kuta'isi Georgia, which was then a Soviet republic, there lived a young man who was among the best students in the recently established 'Tomchei T'mimim' Chabad yeshiva. He worked as a chazan (cantor) in a Sefardic synagogue and was known as a "Chacham" ('scholar'). After the government closed the yeshiva, he taught children in secret, keenly aware that such behavior would be putting his life in danger. Indeed, it wasn't long until he received the dreaded order to appear at the offices of the NKVD. He was interrogated cruelly but after much useless questioning the interrogator asked him bluntly, "Who pays you for teaching the children?" Without becoming flustered, he responded, "What children? What pay? Who's interested in having their children taught?" "If so," retorted the interrogator, "why do you visit specific houses daily - if not to teach children?" "People call me to remove an ayin harah (evil eye)." The interrogator burst into laughter. "Are you at least successful in this work?" "You can't know," replied the chasid. "Each case in unique. They pay me, and they ask me to come again. Why should I care if they think it works?" Having prepared himself for this, he continued playing dumb as well as being very cautious. The interrogators wouldn't relent, and continued barraging him with questions trying to pry out a confession. However, the chasid soon proved too resistant for them, and they commanded him to leave the room while they discuss his case. Continuing to play dumb, he headed straight for the exit of the building. The armed guard stepped in and stopped him, asking him where he was going. "I was told to go," the chasid said simply. The guard, certain that no one could leave an interrogation without permission, let him go. Aware that going home was dangerous, as surely a search party would soon be sent for him, he went to a friend's house for a few days, and then traveled to Rostov. Arriving in Rostov, he found his fellow chasidim in despair. "The Rebbe has been arrested and sentenced to three years exile in Kostroma," he was told.
In yechidus, the Rebbe gave him peculiar instructions. "Travel to Moscow and meet with several chasidim who have legitimate permits allowing them to purchase merchandise. Try to obtain for yourself such documents bearing your name. Once you have them, return to Cuta'isi and present yourself to the NKVD! You should tell them that because during the interrogation they were not happy with your method of income, you therefore chose to go into business, and that's why you left so suddenly -- to immediately buy merchandise." The Rebbe than gave him a note that contained specific instructions for the elder chasid Reb Boruch-Sholom, who would make the necessary connection with the businessmen for him. He then warned him to ensure the note be destroyed immediately after reading it. So, after Shabbat, he travelled to Moscow. Arriving there he noticed that the train station was packed with people, many of them secret agents of the NKVD. Much caution was needed to not raise suspicion. He took the first trolley in the direction of the city, taking a seat next to a bearded elderly Jew. After eyeing each other for some time the elder broke the ice. "From where does this Jew come?" he questioned. "Kostroma." The chasid replied. The joy on the other man's face was clear. Realizing that this was his chance, the chasid probed. "Perhaps you know Reb Boruch Sholom?" "Boruch Sholom? - that's me!" the elderly Jew responded. When they arrived inside Reb Boruch Sholom's home, the two hugged and kissed cheeks (as is customary among Russian chasidim). The host inquired about the Rebbe and the reason for the chasid's visit. The latter conveyed regards from the Rebbe and gave Reb Boruch Sholom the note, which, after reading and rereading, they burned. The chasid was overjoyed at finding Reb Boruch Sholom in such a large city. His joy turned to amazement when hearing from Reb Boruch Sholom that he usually doesn't travel in the morning before shacharit (the Morning Prayer), but that particular day he awoke with an urge to go to the train station. "How wonderful are the ways of Hashgacha (Divine Supervision)," cried Reb Boruch Sholom. "When traveling with the Rebbe's power, wonders are no wonders." On the following day there was a farbrengen (chasidic gathering) with the elder chasidim of Moscow, where the chasid conveyed regards from the Rebbe to all of them. Their happiness was tremendous, as much effort was being put into securing the release of the Rebbe - which was expected within the next few days. And after that, chasidim hoped, he would be granted permission to leave the USSR. Following the exact directives of the Rebbe, he met with the right people acquired the necessary papers, and returned to Cuta'isi,. When he arrived, although a wanted man, he informed his family that he had no intention of fleeing or going into hiding - and, compounding their fears, he told them his plan to walk directly into the offices of the notorious NKVD voluntarily. In vain his family pleaded with him to come to his senses, but he remained adamant about following the Rebbe's advice and soon left on his way. The same guard who was on duty when he had left recognized him immediately. Seeing his chance to make up for his embarrassing mistake, the guard led him directly to the interrogator's office, and announced, "You were upset that I let this guy leave? Well here he is, he returned on his own." Almost instantly, the interrogator bombarded him with questions, first and foremost being why did he run away and disappear? "I didn't run away," he answered calmly. "You told me to go - so I left. Who can escape you anyway?" "And where have you been until now?" the interrogator queried. The chasid then proceeded to tell them exactly what the Rebbe had told him to say, and concluded by presenting the paperwork to validate his tale. After thoroughly inspecting the papers and finding them to be in order the interrogator told him, "It is a fine choice you made to not be a scholar and rather switch to the path of business. But, take my advice: even better would be to drop the business and become a worker!" The chasid nodded his agreement and promised to consider his advice. "It is your good fortune," continued the interrogator, "that you smartly turned yourself in. Were we to have searched and found you, you would have been sentenced to ten years' exile in Siberia! Now go home, heed my word and become a worker." Each year on Yud Beis-Yud Gimmel [12-13] of the Jewish month of Tammuz, the same dates as the Rebbe's release from exile, this chasid would celebrate his freedom, due to following the Rebbe's inspired advice. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Connection: This Shabbat, the tenth of the Jewish month of Shvat, is the 74th yahrzeit of the Rebbe Rayatz (and the 73nd anniversary of his son-in-law officially ascending to the Leadership of Chabad). Biographical note: 1) Forerunner to the KGB 2) An independent country at the intersection of Europe and Asia, home to Caucasus Mountain villages and Black Sea beaches. (Google) 3) Kostroma is a city in western Russia, about 200 miles (320 km) northeast of Moscow. 4) Named for the eldest son of the Tzemech Tzedek, the third Rebbe of Chabad.
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Without
hesitation, he set out immediately for Kostroma. When he arrived where the Rebbe
Rayatz (the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef -Yitzchak Schneersohn)
was staying, he requested permission to see the Rebbe. The chasidim were reluctant
to allow him in - as his presence could endanger the Rebbe - but at last he
was granted a yechidus (private audience).
Yerachmiel
Tilles is co-founder and associate director of Ascent-of-Safed, and chief editor
of this website (and of KabbalaOnline.org). He has hundreds of published stories
to his credit, and many have been translated into other languages. He tells
them live at Ascent nearly every Saturday night.