What defines a leader? A person who will give everything he has – his own life, in fact – on behalf of his people. Moshe was willing to have his name erased from the holy Torah to save his people. What could be a greater self-sacrifice?
At the end of World War II, the Skulener Rebbe, Rav Eliezer Zusia Portugal zt”l, was living in the city of Chernowitz which was then under Soviet dominion. Although the authorities had their eyes on him at all times, he never ceased in his religious and rescue activities on behalf of his fellow Jews. He founded a number of institutions for orphans of the Holocaust, and he personally cared for at least 300 orphaned children, all of whom called him “Tatteh.”
The city of Chernowitz was relatively close to the Romanian border, and the Rebbe remained there in order to be able to smuggle as many Jews out of the Soviet Union and across the border into Romania. The Colonel in charge of the border guards was a true-blooded Soviet who felt no love or compassion for Jews. Yet, on more than one occasion, the Rebbe was able to break through his hardened exterior in order to rescue Jews in trouble. The Colonel warned the Rebbe repeatedly not to impose on him. But the Rebbe didn’t take heed and continued to come to him when he thought he could help.
Finally, the Colonel had had enough. He warned the Rebbe that he was done putting his neck on the line for the Jews and he refused to assist anymore. “Enough is enough,” said the Colonel, “Do not come to me anymore. I’m not interested in helping you and I don’t want to see your face. If you come to me again on behalf of your Jews, I will kill you!”
It wasn’t long, though, before the Rebbe was notified about a family of nine souls that had been captured trying to smuggle across the border. He immediately sprang into action and undertook the daunting and dangerous task of rescuing them. He knew that their punishment was to be imprisonment in Siberia, and he refused to sit still. “I must get these people out of prison here in Chernowitz before they are sent off to Siberia. I will get them out – regardless!” he exclaimed.
Nothing worked, not even a hefty bribe. The Soviets were adamant: These people were to serve as an example for others.
There was still one avenue to be employed. The Rebbe would go to the Colonel and beg, regardless of the imminent personal danger involved. Jewish lives were at stake and that was more important than his life. His family begged him not to go. “How can you risk your life like this?” they asked. “He said he would not help you anymore and that if you came to him again, he would kill you!” But the Rebbe shook his head. “It is not clear that he will take out his anger on me. But one thing is for certain; the fate of those nine people is surely sealed unless I am able to do something on their behalf.”
The Skulener Rebbe approached the Colonel’s house with trepidation, climbed up the steps and, with a prayer on his lips, knocked on the door. When the Soviet officer saw who stood on his doorstep, he was overcome with anger.
“Did I not tell you never to come back here?” he roared. The Soviet flew into a rage and, without warning, he grabbed the Skulener Rebbe and threw him down the stairs. Then he turned and emphatically slammed the door.
Rav Eliezer Zusia was badly hurt. Bleeding profusely and in somewhat of a daze, the Rebbe collected himself, stood up, and with extreme difficulty and the little strength he had left, he once again climbed the stairs and knocked on the Colonel’s door. The Colonel swung open the door and could not believe his eyes. There stood the rabbi, dirty, bloodied, clothes torn – but with defiance in his eyes. “I must speak to you, Colonel!” the Rebbe said, with tears streaming down his face.
This time, the Colonel listened – it was the least he could do. The Rebbe began to speak and burst into tears. He begged, he cried, and he clutched at the heartstrings of this Soviet officer, as he depicted the bitter plight of this hapless family. The Colonel’s hardened heart could not possibly ignore the selfless pleas, the heartfelt emotion of the Rebbe. His devotion to others at the expense of his own health was too much to ignore. The Colonel promised to help the family and, in a short time, they were freed.
Rabbi Dovid Hoffman is the author of the popular “Torah Tavlin” book series, filled with stories, wit and hundreds of divrei Torah, including the brand new “Torah Tavlin Yamim Noraim” in stores everywhere. You’ll love this popular series. Also look for his book, “Heroes of Spirit,” containing one hundred fascinating stories on the Holocaust. They are fantastic gifts, available in all Judaica bookstores and online at http://israelbookshoppublications.com. To receive Rabbi Hoffman’s weekly “Torah Tavlin” sheet on the parsha, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
