Table of Contents

Title page……………..…………………………….…………..1

Table of Contents…………………………..………………….2

Introduction……………………………………………………3

Chapter 1 ………………….…………..…….……………….4-6

Chapter 2…………………………..……….…..……………7-8

Chapter 3…………………………..…………………..……9-10

Conclusion…………………..………………………………..11

Bibliography………………..…………………………………12

Introduction

Our project is about Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. It is divided into three chapters that encompass her life from her childhood until her passing.

Chaya Moshka Schneerson (March 16, 1901-10 February 1988), was known as the Lubavitcher Rebbetzin, she was the wife of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh and last Rebbe (spiritual leader) of the Chabad-Lubavitch branch. Of Hassidic Judaism. She was the daughter of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson.

The first chapter deals with the bibliography of her life. Chapter two deals with ten interesting facts about the Rebbetzin and in Chapter Three deals with two stories about her special personality.

Chapter One –

A Brief Biography of the Rebbetzin

Birth

Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka (Moussia) Schneerson was born in Babinovitch, near the Russian city of Lubavitch, on Shabbat, the 25th of Adar, in 1901. She was the second of three daughters of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak and his wife, Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneersohn.

When she was born, her grandfather, the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom DovBer, was traveling abroad and he telegraphed her father, “…Mazal tov on the birth of your daughter …if she has not yet been named, she should be called Chaya Mushka (the name of the wife of the Tzemach Tzedek [the third Lubavitcher Rebbe]).”

From her earliest years, the Rebbetzin absorbed the purity and holiness that surrounded her, both in the house of her grandfather and that of her father.

Early Years

In the autumn of 1915, during World War I, Chaya Mushka and her family fled Lubavitch and settled in Rostov. While in Rostov, Rabbi Shalom DovBer became ill, and nineteen-year-old Chaya Mushka affectionately cared for her grandfather, spending nights at his side. Before his passing in 1920, Rabbi Shalom DovBer blessed Chaya Mushka and left several Chasidic classics to her in his last will.

Her early twenties saw the intensification of the Communist war against the Jewish soul and the beginning of her father’s heroic struggle. During those dark Soviet nights, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak had his daughter Chaya Mushka at his side.

Cognizant of her wisdom and strength, her father involved her in much of his work. Young Chaya Mushka was asked to secretly transport food and supplies to Rostov’s underground Yeshiva, in the knowledge that she could be relied upon for her discerning judgment.

Life became increasingly dangerous for the Jews of Rostov, and in the spring of 1924 her family moved to Leningrad, where Chaya Mushka’s involvement continued.

Her Marriage

Before leaving Russia, Chaya Mushka was engaged to marry the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson.

The actual marriage was delayed until 1928, when, on the 14th day of Kislev, their marriage was celebrated in Warsaw, Poland.

The Rebbetzin on her Wedding Day

On the day preceding the wedding, thousands of Jews flocked to the railway station in Warsaw to welcome her father and his family. During the course of the day, a multitude of Chasidim, hailing from all of Poland, Lithuania, and Russia, arrived in the capital.

At eight o’clock that evening, in the presence of the students of the Yeshiva Tomchei T’mimim, her father celebrated the meal of the “chosson mohl.” In the middle of the meal her father delivered a ma’amar [chasidic discourse]. Midnight came and went, and the meal was still in progress. Her father expressed his desire to rejoice with the Yeshiva students, and they at once formed a circle, in the center of which he danced a good while.

The next day, the 14th of Kislev, at five in the evening, the “kabbalat panim” began. Ushers were placed at the entrance of the Yeshiva, and only guests with official invitations were allowed to enter. Thousands of people surrounded the building and there simply wasn’t enough room for them all.

Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, of righteous memory

Hundreds of miles away, in Russia, in Dnepropetrovsk, (Yekatrinoslav), another wedding celebration was taking place. The Rebbe’s parents, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Chana, unable to attend in person, organized a festive meal and farbrengen in their own house, to which hundreds of local Jews flocked.

On the 14th of Kislev, 5714, twenty-five years later, the Rebbe said to his Chasidim: “It was this day that bound me to you, and you to me…”

The Rebbetzin

It is well known that in 1950, upon the passing of her father, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, leadership of the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch movement passed to Chaya Mushka’s husband, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory.

Less well known is the fact that despite the Rebbe’s initial adamant refusal to accept the mantle, it was his wife, the Rebbetzin, who, notwithstanding the great personal sacrifice this would entail, finally prevailed upon him to accept the position with all its public and private hardships. She was steadfast: It is simply unthinkable that father’s thirty years of total self-sacrifice and accomplishment should, G‑d forbid, come to naught…

An erudite and wise woman, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka carried the mantle of her revered and exalted position in a most humble and unpretentious fashion. All her life she fulfilled the ideal of the psalmist, “The entire honor of a king’s daughter is within.” When calling the Rebbe’s office at “770,” or calling a high school girl ill in her dormitory, she always referred to herself simply as: “Mrs. Schneerson from President Seet.”

The Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s Home President Street, Brooklyn

Gentle and courteous to everyone, the Rebbetzin saw her role as one wholly devoted to the work of her husband. Even when she relayed advice to those seeking his guidance through her, she would repeat his wording with precision, making sure that it was understood exactly as the Rebbe intended.

Her Passing

The Rebbetzin passed away on Wednesday, the 22nd of Shevat, 1988, after a brief illness. Her burial took place a few hours afterwards at the Chabad cemetery in Queens, New York.

Shortly before her passing, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka requested a glass of water. After reciting the blessing, “…by Whose word all things come into being,” she returned her soul to her Maker.

In a farewell to a true queen, the funeral procession was fifteen thousand strong, led by an official police motorcade.

She was interred next to her grandmother, Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, and near her father, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak.

The Rebbe pointed out that Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak passed away in Shevat, as did his grandmother, Rebbetzin Rivka, his mother, Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, and his daughter, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka.

Chapter Two –

10 Facts About the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson

1. She Encouraged Her Friends to Light Shabbat Candles

Growing up, she followed the custom (which her husband later turned into an international campaign) that young girls light a single Shabbat candle, even before marriage. She would encourage her friends to do so as well, regardless of whether there was precedent to do so in their family.

2. Her Activity Spread Beyond Chabad

The Rebbe Rashab’s and Rebbe Rayatz’s residence in Rostov. While living in Rostov, she regularly smuggled food and candles to the Novardok yeshivah, a non-Chassidic institution of Torah learning then located in the city.

3. She and Her Husband Lost Siblings to the Nazis

Although Chaya Mushka and her husband arrived on American shores in the spring of 1941, her younger sister, Sheina, and her husband, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Horenstein, were still trapped in Poland. After the war, it was discovered that they had perished in the gas chambers of Treblinka.

When the war broke out, her in-laws were in the primitive village of Chiili, (Modern day Shieli) Kazakhstan, where Rabbi Levi Yitzchak had been forced into exile as punishment for his efforts on behalf of Judaism. Ironically, this saved them from the Nazi onslaught. Their son, DovBer, however, was murdered by the Nazis and buried in a mass grave.

4. She Saved a Man From a Nazi Bomb

Soon after their marriage in Warsaw, Poland, the newly married couple settled in Berlin, but with the rise of Nazisim, moved to Paris. In May 1940, France was invaded by German forces, and, like many French Jews, the couple fled to Nice in southern France. In the course of their flight, there was a devastating bombardment. As people ran in every direction, Chaya Mushka noticed a shell heading towards a man next to her. Quickly pushing him to the ground, she saved his life. Recounting this story decades later, the Rebbetzin characteristically said, “True, I saved his life, but for pushing a Jew down one must do teshuvah.”

5. She Would Wait Up All Night for the Rebbe

For decades, the Rebbe arrived at his office midmorning and remained there until well after midnight. On the nights he received people for private audiences (yechidus), his arrival home would often be as late as seven a.m. Aides and confidants recall that the Rebbetzin often remained awake all night, ready to greet her husband.

6. She Took Pride in Her Husband’s Campaigns

Those who knew the Rebbetzin attest that she took great pride in the mitzvah campaigns her husband initiated; she, perhaps more than anyone, understood the thought that went into them.

7. She Used to Refer to Herself as ‘Mrs. Schneerson’

The Rebbe and Rebbetzin’s house on President Street.

Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka shied away from the limelight and rarely appeared in public, where she would undoubtedly be celebrated as the revered rebbetzin. Instead, she chose to remain within a small social circle where she would be treated without fanfare. When making phone calls, she generally referred to herself simply as “Mrs. Schneerson from President Street.”

8. She Was Not Blessed With Children but Has Countless Descendants

The Rebbetzin had no children of her own, yet when a child visiting her at home asked her, “where are your children?” she answered that the Chasidim, those who followed in the ways taught by her husband, were her children.

9. She “Could Give Blessings”.

Once, the Lubavitch Women’s Organization sent her a bouquet of flowers, together with a list of individuals for whom blessings were requested. Setting aside the flowers for the Rebbetzin, the secretary passed on the letter to the Rebbe who, observing that it was addressed to his wife, asked his secretary to give it to her, saying, “She too is capable of giving blessings.”

10. Thousands of Women Are Named for Her

After the passing of the Rebbetzin, the Rebbe requested that little girls be named after her. To date, many thousands of young women proudly bear the name Chaya Mushka, continuing her legacy of devotion and inspiration.

Chapter Three –

 Two Stories

R’ Chesed Halberstam, who served as helper to the Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, ate at our home one Shabbos.

I told him he has to pay for the meal by telling me stories of the

Rebbetzin that nobody heard.

Here is the story he told.

One Friday, the Rebbetzin tripped on the stairs and bruised her foot badly. The Doctor said that the best thing would be for her to stay off her foot.

The Rebbetzin asked Chesed not to burden the Rebbe with the news.

As soon as the Rebbetzin was comfortably resting in bed, Chesed ran to 770, knocked on the door of the Rebbe’s room (he had permision to go in anytime) and told the Rebbe all that transpired, including the request of the Rebbetzin.

The Rebbe smiled and thanked him.

When the Rebbe came home Friday night, the Rebbetzin was sitting at the dining room table and apologized for not getting up, saying that because she was hungry, she had asked Chesed to make Kiddush for her.

The Rebbe played along and made Kiddush without comment. Then the Rebbetzin told the Rebbe she already washed for Hamotzi and ate a piece of Challa.

Again the Rebbe said nothing.

When the Rebbe arrived, Chesed had already had the fish on the table, so they both ate together. But then came the test. It was time for the soup, and the Rebbetzin always served the Rebbe. Since she could not walk, due to the pain, how could she serve it?

Before anyone could say anything, the Rebbe started to sing “Azamer Bishvochim,” which is customary to sing at the Shabbos meal, in the Yom

Kippur niggun, and the Rebbe went into a devaikus.

While the Rebbe was singing, the Rebbetzin called to Chesed, who always sat in the kitchen while they were eating waiting for instructions, and told him to quickly bring the soup, chicken and dessert.

As soon as all the food was out on the table, the Rebbe finished the Niggun, and they both ate the Shabbos meal together

Years ago, an Orthodox Jewish man had arrived in Paris, and needed to buy Kosher food. He had no idea where to begin looking for a kosher restaurant or store.

He was sitting on the Metro bench in the Paris subway, looking at passersby, trying to see who looked Jewish enough to ask this question.

Suddenly, he saw a yid with a hat and a suit walk briskly out of the Metro door. This man ran after him calling, “Reb Yid, Reb Yid, where is there a Kosher place to eat? I am starving.”

The Rebbe stopped abruptly and told this Yid, “Come I’ll show you a place.”

The Yid followed the Rebbe back into the subway. They traveled a few stops, got out and walked into a bulding.

The Rebbe opened the door and announced to his wife in Yiddish, “Mir hoben a gast – we have a guest.”

The Rebbe and the man walked into the tiny, immaculate dining room and sat down.

There were three settings on the table: set in real cutlery, china, and glassware with cloth napkin.

The man said he was in awe of the cleanliness in the tiny Paris apartment, and the regal way the table was set.

The wife brought in fruit as an appetizer, then fish with some vegetables and fruit as a dessert. The Yid was a little surprized that there was no Hamotzi or Mezonos, but did not say anything.

After bentching the Rebbe apologized for not serving bread or cake. The Rebbe told him that he went to check out the bakeries and was not satisfied with the flour used in baking these foods. Therefore, his wife didn’t buy flour at all, even to bake herself.

The Yid thanked them for literally saving his life, and left.

Many years later, this Yid was living in New York, and he chanced to see a photo of the Rebbe in the Jewish newspaper.

He was so upset realizing that the couple who served him was none other than the Lubavitcher Rebbe and Rebbetzin.

He was devastated, so he traveled to 770 to ask forgiveness from the Rebbe. When he saw the Rebbe, he burst out crying asking for Mechilla.

The Rebbe recognized him and said, “I have to thank you for giving me the opportunity to do the Mitzvah of Hachnosas Orchim.”

Conclusion-

While working on the project, we read about the interesting facts and the modesty of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka.

We learned about the course of her life and were excited by her devotion to her father’s enterprise that helped him in his actions, even when it involved immense devotion.

The Rebbetzin was a noble figure who influenced everyone in a positive light.

We too have been given tools and the empowerment to continue our lives, and we hope to walk in her footsteps.