The power of Tanya

The Rebbe’s grandfather, Reb Meir Shlomo Yanovsky*, was the Rav of Nikolayev. Once, there was a typhus epidemic and Reb Meir Shlomo fell ill. At that time there was no known cure for the illness. All the victims were quarantined in a building outside the city to avoid spreading the disease, and they were treated by a doctor who visited daily. Very few people returned from the building alive.

When the great Chassid, Reb Asher Grossman, found out that Reb Meir Shlomo was quarantined he came to visit him. He was not allowed to go into the building, so he stood outside, as close to Reb Meir Shlomo’s room as possible. Facing the window to his room, he started to read aloud from Tanya, Igeret haKodesh: “Lehaskilcha Bina” – To enlighten you with understanding…. (Chapter 11). In this letter, the Alter Rebbe explains that nothing bad comes from G-d and if a persona is imbued with this awareness, he will merit to see open good.

Reb Asher did not even know if Reb Meir Shlomo heard him or not; he just hoped. He returned every day for thirty days and read the section of Tanya again.

After a few weeks Reb Meir Shlomo was discharged from the quarantine, having made a full miraculous recovery. When he saw Reb Asher he called to him excitedly, “You saved my life! The Tanya you read encouraged and inspired me to stay strong and positive. It sustained my faith and enabled me not to succumb to illness.”

From Living Jewish by Tzeirei Agudat Chabad Israel # 909With assistance from an article by Yehuda Shurpin – March 13, 2020 – at Chabad.org. The Chassid, Rabbi Asher Grossman, known as Reb Asher of Nikolayev, was Yehuda’s paternal great grandfather!*Rebbe Maharash zt’l 1834-1882. Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch was the youngest of seven sons of the saintly Tzemach Tzedek (3rd Lubavitcher Rebbe and grandson of the Alter Rebbe). He became the leader of the Chabad movement following the passing of his father. His approach was always with great determination and clarity, speaking his mind for the benefit of his brethren, the Jewish people, even at the risk of his own life. He was a prolific Chassidic master and teacher and authored more than 1000 Chassidic discourses. During his leadership the Chabad movement grew among many different groups of Jews. Rabbi Shmuel strengthened Chassidut, combated anti-Semitism, and prepared the ground for Chabad’s global reach. His motto “Lechatchila ariber” has become a way of life for greater achievement. He would say, “The world says If you can’t go under (an obstacle) leap over; I say In the first place GO OVER!”

*Reb Meir Shlomo haLevi Yanovsky – B.1850- D. 23 Elul, 5693/1933. Father of Rebbetzin Chana, mother of the Rebbe.  Reb Meir Shlomo Yanovsky was an eminent Torah scholar who studied in the court of the Rebbe Maharash zt’l (fourth Chabad Rebbe). He became the Rabbi of Nikolayev, Ukraine from 1890 until his passing in 1933.

His kindness and love of a fellow Jew are described by his illustrious daughter, Rebbetzin Chana in her Memoir. “His fine character qualities one could write so much about. He truly exemplified “mine is yours, and yours is yours.” She continues: “I recall that as soon as he (her father) would receive his monthly salary as a Rav (Rabbi of the city of Nikolayev), he immediately made a reckoning of how much he needed for his sisters, brother-in-law, and brother. There was always someone who needed assistance. First, he deducted what had to be given to them, leaving only a small portion for his family. Consequently, it was always necessary to obtain loans to cover our family’s expenses for the month. That was how my father conducted all facets of his life.”