Commemorative remarks upon the occasion of the 10th Yahrzeit of the Klausenburger Rebbe zt"l

From Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb
Executive Vice President

Commemorative remarks upon the occasion of the 10th Yahrzeit of the Klausenburger Rebbe

This Monday, June 28th, the 9th day of Tammuz is the tenth yarhzeit of the Klausenburger Rebbe, Rabbi Yekusiel Yehuda Halberstam, zt’l. The Klausenburger Rebbe is a prime example of someone who was able to rise from the fires of Auschwitz to rebuild a Chassidic movement which continues to grow and thrive today. He lost his wife and eleven children in the Holocaust, and he himself spent time in various concentration camps and labor camps. He distinguished himself during that horrible time by never losing his faith and enthusiasm for yiddishkeit. He continued to offer chizuk to other individuals even in the most unimaginably terrible situations. Immediately after the war, he literally ran from place to place gathering together displaced persons, many orphans, and made sure that they had the wherewithal to remain committed Jews. He saw to it that kosher food was available, that davening was made possible, and that Torah was studied in the immediate post-war displaced persons camps.

He built thriving Chassidic centers in the United States and in Eretz Yisrael. He wisely designated several of his sons and sons-in-law to become his successors in leading the Klausenburger Chassidim. They continue in his path, teaching the lessons of Chassidus in general; of the tradition of the Zanzer Rav, Rabbi Chaim Halberstam, his ancestor; and the special profound Ahavas Yisrael, love for fellow Jews, which he exemplified.

I personally had the privilege of meeting and speaking to the Rebbe several times. He encouraged me at various critical points in my life to undertake challenges that I had feared to take on. For many years I either received by audio tape or attended personally his famous Thursday night Chumash and Rashi shiurim. These made a profound impact on all who heard them because the Rebbe was able to draw, from the well springs of Torah, applications for numerous contemporary dilemmas.

The Rebbe leaves behind his heirs, his many Chassidim and many volumes of holy seforim. Posthumously, his Chassidim published his responsa under the title “Divrei Yatsiv.” These responsa cover a wide range of fascinating topics and display his mastery of halacha and nigla. His mastery of Chassidic thought and of Kaballah is legendary as well.

On the occasion of his tenth yarhzeit we pay him homage and hope to be able to emulate his example. May his memory be a blessing.

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb