The Sacrifice of Levi Yitzchak

80 years since the passing of the genius kabbalist Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson z”l, the rabbi of the city of Yekaterinoslav (now Dnipropetrovsk), father of the most recent Lubavitcher Rebbe z”l

At a time when the term “self-sacrifice” has been given a new meaning, and in days when the younger generation hardly knows or sees Jews of self-sacrifice, precisely now, in the midst of summer vacation, we at Ganzach Kiddush Hashem stop and reflect on the life and death of one holy man, who actually gave his life for the sake of G-d and His Torah, for Judaism and the Jews, and as punishment, spent many years in the “land of punishment” in Kazakhstan, where, in the city of Chaili, he fell ill and died in great agony. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the revered and kabbalistic rabbi, died in the city of Alma-Ata (Almaty), where he lived with the consent of the authorities in the last months of his life, and he is buried there.

The life and death of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak is a long scroll of Torah, faith, and self-sacrifice. When the communists ruled throughout the Soviet Union, he was a fearless fighter against the decrees of the government and his pure spirit kindled the embers of Judaism in the hearts of thousands upon thousands.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak served as the rabbi of the city of Yekaterinoslav (today: Dnipropetrovsk) since the year 5669 (1909), when he was 31 years old. At that time, as a recommendation, the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rashab (Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber Schneerson) wrote about him that he was “a man who has a spirit in him, and when I knew him well, the crown of the rabbinate suited him in all the necessary details . He is a great scholar and God-fearing with purpose, gifted with ideas and a gentle temper, with very good and noble qualities, and knows how to lead with knowledge and wisdom, and there is no one better than him.”

His Arrest

After the Communist revolution, he fought with dedication to keep the Torah despite the prohibition imposed by the authorities. His activity on behalf of Judaism was known to all, and there were often severe frictions with the authorities until it was decided to arrest him.

On the night of the 9th of Nisan 5699 (1939) at three o’clock in the morning, four members of the NKVD (Secret Police) arrived at his home on 13 Barikadneh Street with a search warrant.

The home from which he was taken to jail

When the rebbetzin came the next day to the secret police headquarters to bring her husband the food, she was denied with excuses that he was not there. It was only after a few days that she was informed that her husband was in the local prison and that she could deliver food and money to her husband, but every time she asked to see him she was told that he was gone, even though the prosecutor said that he was indeed there.

After several days, the authorities transferred Rabbi Levi Yitzchak to the prison in Kiev for criminals who were tried for serious crimes. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was arrested by the authorities because they saw him as someone who stood in the place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, and who spurred and motivated all Jewish activity in Russia.

The rabbi at the start of his arrest period

His Exile

After several months of investigation, he was sentenced to five years of exile in Kazakhstan. For a month, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak made his journey on a prisoner train, from the prison in the city of Yekaterinoslav. Despite the difficult travel conditions, the only thing that greatly bothered him was the lack of water to wash his hands before saying Shacharit (the morning prayer). For eleven days, there was no water at all. Drinking water was also given sparingly to the prisoners. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, who even in this difficult situation observed a more minor mitzvah as much as a higher degree one, gave up the little drinking water he received in favour of observing the mitzvah of hand washing.

Upon their arrival in Alma-Ata, the prisoners were given restrictive rules for their stay there. Immediately upon their arrival, the prisoners were sent walking in groups to remote places in Kazakhstan, where they were condemned to live in exile for several years. On Shvat 19, 5700 (1940), Rabbi Levi Yitzchak arrived at his place of exile in Chiali, Kazakhstan. In the first days he stayed with a gentile who took pity on him along with another Jew who was sent to the place.

The torture he went through in his arrest, the hardships on the way, the harsh conditions of the place, and his loneliness greatly undermined his health. His situation was eased when his wife, Rebbetzin Chana, arrived in Chiali.

Even while he was in Chiali, he continued to spread Judaism, ensured Jewish burials for many Jewish deceased, as well as prayed in a minyan (prayer quorum).

His Passing

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was in exile in Chiali for over four years. After Passover 5704 (1944) Rabbi Levi Yitzchak arrived weak from his place of exile in Chiali to the city of Alma-Ata, the capital of Kazakhstan, where he also worked hard to help Jewish life flourish, and even served as a rabbi in the local synagogue.

After a short time, a malignant disease broke out in his body (which had been dormant in him for many years). His condition deteriorated day by day, until on Wednesday the 20th of Av 5704 (Aug. 9th, 1944) his heavenly soul ascended. The funeral was held the next day, with the participation of a small crowd, due to the fear of the authorities. A tombstone was erected on his grave with a particularly short text, and over the years the tombstone was replaced in a special operation.

With thanks to “Chapadepia”

Please click here to view a booklet on the history of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (in Hebrew).