On the yahrzeit (anniversary of death) of our beloved master, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the Torah-Box team is pleased to share some of his life's milestones and anecdotes. Whoever speaks about the Tzaddik on the day of his yahrzeit, will merit that the latter pray on his behalf! So, light a candle and recite: "In honor of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson zechuto tagen aleinu" and pray! May his merit protect all Am Israel, Amen!

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson (the Rayatz) was born on the 12th of Tammuz 5640 (1880). He was the sixth Admor of the Chabad dynasty. At the age of 15, he represented his father at a summit of community chairmen in Kovno. The conference dealt with issues affecting Russian Jews. Yosef Yitzchak was named personal secretary to his father. One year later, he participated at the Vilnius conference with Rabbis and community leaders.

In 1897, barely seventeen years old, he married Nechama Dina.

One year after his wedding he was appointed head the Yeshiva Tomchei Temimim. On the 11th of Shevat 5710 (1950), Parashat Bo, he returned his soul to the Creator. His life had been thoroughly devoted to Torah study and acts of loving kindness toward his fellow man, which he bestowed with simplicity and sweetness.

The Story of the Lubavitch Admor's Rescue

The story related to the Lubavitch Admor is a great mystery. Chabad followers believe it was a heavenly rescue, as the Admor managed to escape the clutches of both communists and Nazis. Outside of Lubavitch circles, it is a mystery to date. Nobody can unravel the motives that lead German security and surveillance systems to carry out the rescue of the Warsaw Rabbi and to facilitate his evacuation to the USA.

German Information Services Help the Rabbi Escape

The facts are non-debatable. In 1939, German Secret Services scrutinized Warsaw's streets, in search of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson. Jews, who feared for their Rabbi's security, organized a good hiding place. Consequently, despite German intelligence efforts and investigations, the Rabbi's hiding place was not discovered.

The investigation lasted for about a month up until a message from the USA reached Chabad Chassidim. The message clarified the reason for the search: German officers had received an order to remove the Rabbi from the occupied city and to lead him out of the occupied zone. In other words, an order to rescue the Rabbi had been issued.

Astonishingly, the Rabbi, wearing a beard, Shtreimel and sidelocks were rescued by Admiral Wilhelm Canaris following the orders of the German Secret Services.

The rescue operation was carried out by Ernest Bloch, the offspring of a Jewish father and a German mother and commander of German information services. The latter organized a truck where he installed the Rabbi and 18 of his people. Later, he led the group to a first-class wagon train from Warsaw to Lithuania. One must imagine the surrealist operation comprised of 20 men wearing Tzitzit and sidelocks, seated in a first-class wagon, filled with German soldiers. Bloch helped them travel from Berlin to Lithuania where they embarked on a boat to the USA.

An Order from Roosevelt to Silence Jews

The motive that prompted the head of German intelligence to rescue these Jews remains unknown to date. Price believes American Chabad Chassidim pressured the American President to rescue Polish Jews in general and the Lubavitch Rabbi in particular.

Roosevelt was not particularly interested in the Lubavitch Rebbe, but the Jewish community exerted great pressure on the President, advocating for the suffering of European Jews. Roosevelt contacted the secretary of State and the latter turned to the German officer whom he personally knew. The Germans wished to cultivate good relations with the Americans to avoid dragging them into war. Perhaps they thought it would be wise to make a gesture of appeasement toward the President and thus, Admiral Canaris sent three spies to rescue the Rabbi.

Today, even after 70 years, it is impossible to know for sure what prompted the Germans to rescue the Rebbe. Possibly, Price's argument is correct.

In any event, the story of the Rebbe's rescue is an astonishing anecdote about the German rescue of Jews during the Holocaust.