Pharaoh warned Moshe that “evil faces you”—a star by the name of רעה (evil) that he saw through his astrological predictions, was ascending to meet the Jews in the wilderness, bringing with it an omen of blood and death. What he did not know was that Hashem transformed the blood which Pharaoh had interpreted as killing and death, into the blood of circumcision, which proved to be a merit and protection for the nation, rather than a harbinger of evil and disaster.
For over 80 years, the Rivnitzer Rebbe, R’ Chaim Zanvil Abramowitz zt”l, lived as a pious and G-d-fearing Jew as well as an inspirational leader, in the U.S.S.R. under the likes of Stalin and the tyrannical communist regime. He did not forgo any aspect of Torah and mitzvos in Russia—even immersing daily in the waters of a mikvah, which often involved chopping ice on a frozen river. For years, he continued to spread Torah, to perform circumcisions and shechita, and to encourage Jews to send their children to underground Torah schools. He was interrogated, jailed and even placed in front of a firing squad, but he always seemed to miraculously escape and return to his “counterrevolutionary” activities. From the 1930’s until the end of his life, the Rivnitzer Rebbe fasted on all days when it is permitted to do so under Jewish law.
As a mohel (circumciser), the Rivnitzer Rebbe performed thousands of circumcisions on Jewish children under the communist regime. As one of the only mohelim who was not intimidated by the government, he would not hesitate to travel all over the country in order to bring another Jewish child into the covenant of Avraham Avinu.
There was one occasion that stood out, both for the level of danger it entailed and for the miraculous wonder that ensued. The Rivnitzer Rebbe once received a message from the Jewish wife of a Russian general, who wished the Rebbe to come clandestinely to her home and circumcise her son. Although she and her husband had nothing to do with organized religion—especially Jewish customs and commandments—nevertheless, the heart of a Yiddishe neshama was beating proudly, if not secretly, inside this woman. She remembered her father and grandfather and their connection to Judaism, and she wished to transmit this connection to her offspring as well. The problem was that her husband, a sworn communist, was outspokenly opposed to religious practices and the one time she even mentioned circumcising their son to him, he had obstinately refused to hear of it lest his career in the army be jeopardized. She decided to bide her time—and she did not have long to wait. When her husband, the general, was urgently called to the front, she sent a message asking the Rebbe to come immediately.
The Rebbe undertook the mission, of course, and took along a well-known chasid, Reb Mendel Futerfas z”l, to accompany him. Reb Mendel was a survivor of 14 years of Siberian exile, who maintained an underground network of Chabad Torah schools, and he was used to seeing the great mesirus nefesh of the Rivnitzer Rebbe.
When they arrived at the Russian woman’s home, they were whisked into the cellar, where the child was ready and waiting. Without delay, the Rebbe performed the bris, and although he was an expert at his craft, the child began bleeding profusely. Neither salve nor medicine was able to stop the bleeding. The child began to turn yellow and shake violently. Upon seeing this, the mother became hysterical and began screaming, “Is this the reward I get for my sacrifice of bringing my son into the covenant of Abraham?” The baby lost consciousness, whereupon the horrified mother fell down in a dead faint!
Reb Mendel was terrified. He understood the implications and consequences that would follow if something happened to this child, and even worse, the terrible chilul Hashem and disgrace it would cause to the Name of G-d. He looked at the face of the Rebbe at that moment, and it seemed to be aflame. His head was thrown back and his hands were raised to the Heavens in intense prayer. In a loud voice, he called out, “Va’omer lach b’damayich chayi — I say to you, by your blood shall you live!” Suddenly, the child, who had previously been completely still and showed no signs of life, awoke, and his bleeding stopped!
Reb Mendel screamed with delight, “It’s a miracle, Rebbe,” whereupon the Rivnitzer Rebbe responded calmly and humbly, “Eliyahu HaNavi is present at every circumcision. This miracle took place under his jurisdiction!”
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.