Our knowledge of our great grandfather comes primarily from his son Reb Yaakov Yosef Raskin (1901- 1986), brother of the famous Bobba Sara, Hy’d, our grandmother, and after leaving Russia, lived in Israel.
The family genealogy goes back to Reb DovBer of Harki, who was born around 5535 (1774) and very likely was named for the Maggid Rabbi DovBer of Mezritch whose passing was in 5533, just two years prior.
Harki was the seat of Chassidut as described in the Memoirs of the Rebbe Rayatz, who writes, “The city of Harki…. Included hidden Tzaddikim who were in ongoing contact with the Baal Shem Tov in Mezibush. They were emissaries of the Baal Shem Tov and fulfilled all his instructions and guidance to them.
This Reb DovBer was a Chasid of the first Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, known as the Alter Rebbe. Reb DovBer had a son by the name of Reb Yitzchak. Yitzchak was born in 5559 (1798) in Harki and lived to the ripe old age of 82. He passed away on Hoshana Raba 5641 (1880). Thus, he merited to see during his lifetime the first four Chabad Rebbes, the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, and the Rebbe Rashab. In the annals of the family, this Reb Yitzchak was known as a very distinguished Chasid who had the ability to bless people. It was known that his blessings came true. On erev Yom Kippur the Jewish residents of Harki would line up outside his home to receive his blessing, and this would continue all day!
Reb Yitzchak’s youngest son was Reb Yehuda Leib. He was born in Harki in the year 5605 (1844). He married Tzivia, who was the daughter of Reb Shimon Krimer and his wife Chana from the city of Gizatsk, in the vicinity of Moscow. Many years later, our great grandfather would move his family to this city for their benefit as we will tell shortly.
Reb Yehuda Leib lived in Harki and Dubravna after his marriage. In the year 5643 (1882) he was appointed as rabbi and mashpia in the city of Rumnuva, close to Harki. Unfortunately, he passed away at a young age within a few months of his new position on Shavuot 5643 (1882) at the young age of 38.
Reb Yaakov Yosef (see above) shares about his grandfather, Reb Yehuda Leib that he would pray for an extended time. On Shabbat he would return home many hours after the congregation completed their prayers. His righteous wife Tzivia would wait until her husband came home from synagogue after his concentrated prayers. She never complained or felt upset about this. On the contrary, she would always say to her children, “Father brings home with him from his prayers ‘a scent of the Garden of Eden’…”
At the top of the list of priorities for Reb Yehuda Leib and his good wife Tzivia was the Jewish education of their children. Their son, Chaim Ben Tzion was sent at a young age to his grandfather in Gizatsk because, at the time, the conditions for a good education were better there. In their letters to their son, the parents stressed the importance of focusing on his studies. This was of primary importance to both of them.
“My beloved son, please inform me about your good learning. Also I suggest that you should spend time every day studying books of good character traits and learn to acquire a good heart with awe of G-d. For this is what is important for man, and besides this man is as inanimate matter… and what makes man higher than inanimate is that G-d endowed him with understanding to recognize his Creator and to know that ……And the main thing is that your learning should be with enthusiasm … I am writing this with tears… I am certain, with the help of G-d, that you will continue to go in a good and truthful way….. May the good G-d help you in all your endeavors, because one who wishes to go in the right path is helped from Above.”
“Your father who awaits to see your success in your Torah studies.” Signature of Father
In another letter, his father writes.
“My beloved son, according to your letter, I received joy from hearing about your learning. You included that also in the future you plan to continue to study well. G-d will surely help you …”
“Your father who wishes to see you a servant of G-d” – signature of Father.
His mother Tzivia also wrote to her beloved young son, along these lines….
Both parents passed away at a young age. His father at 38 and his mother two years later at age 40.
We now return to the life of Reb Chaim Ben Tzion.
Reb Chaim Ben Tzion was born on the 15th of Sivan in the year 5624 (June 1864) in the city of Dubravna. At a young age he left home to learn Torah in the city of Gizatsk where his grandfather and uncle lived. On the 15th of Elul, 5643 (September 1883) he married Dvonye, the daughter of Reb Yakov Yosef and his wife Sima Chashe from Rudniye, a city close to Lubavitch. In the city of Rudniye lived the Rebbe of Kapust and his family became followers of this Rebbe.
After the passing of the Kapust Rebbe, In the year 5660 (1899), Reb Chaim Ben Zion traveled to Lubavitch for Shabbat and until the last day of his life he did not forget what he saw there. He would repeat to his children the three things which he witnessed, and which opened his heart to become a Lubavitcher Chasid of the Rebbe Rashab.
The way the Rebbe Rashab washed his hands for the Shabbat meal, the niggun deveikus – heartfelt song he heard from the Rebbe Rashab, and the way he recited the mammer – Chassidic discourse which he merited to hear for the first time. From this time on he was a full-fledged Lubavitcher and he would consult with the Rebbe in all areas of life, big or small, first the Rebbe Rashab and afterwards his son, the Rebbe Rayatz.
To be continued iy’H.
Translated with permission from a wedding Teshura of Menachem Mendel and Chana Devora Vishetsky. 7 Elul 5783 Montreal, Canada
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