Modzitzer Rebbe Visits Baltimore

Reprinted from HaModia

On Thursday, February 26, Baltimore was treated to some very special guests.  The Modzitzer Rebbe of Eretz Yisroel, Harav Chaim Shaul Taub, along with his son, Rav Shmuel Taub, and six chassidim, made a trip to visit many cities in the United States to give chizuk in light of the unstable economic and political times that we are experiencing.

The Rebbe arrived in Baltimore on Thursday afternoon.  Accompanied by Rabbi Hershel Goodwin and Rabbi Yitzchok Sanders,the Rebbe visited with Harav Aharon Feldman and Harav Yaakov Hopfer, Rav of Congregation Shearis Yisroel.  After daavening minchah in Shearis Yisroel, the entourage continued and visited Rabbi Shaya Taub, Rav of Arugas Habosem who is recovering from heart surgery, and Rabbi Tzvi Dov Slanger, Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore.

In the evening, the Rebbe met with individuals at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Yitzchok Sanders.  At 8:30, the Rebbe conducted a 'zitz' – an evening of Torah and zemer. Rabbi Tzvi Weiss spoke on behalf of the Rabbanim of the community and welcomed the Rebbe to Baltimore.  Rabbi Moshe Shuvalsky, remembered meeting the Rebbe's great-grandfather, Harav Shaul Yedidyah Taub, upon his visit to Baltimore shortly after World War II.

The Rebbe led the kehillah in beautiful neginah with musical accompaniment.  He was mechazek the 'olam' with divrei Torah.  “Vani bechasdecha botachti, yagel libi biyishuasecha.”  There is one madreigah of having bitachon in Hashem, but there is an even higher madreigah of singing to Hashem even when things are rough.

The Rebbe was very warm to children that came to visit him.  One child said, “My grandfather travels around and asks different gedolim 'What's the most important thing'. Can the Rebbe tell me?” The Rebbe responded, “Yiras Shamayim.”

Another child asked for a brachah.  Rabbi Sanders presented the boy with a picture of the Rebbe, and the Rebbe took the picture and wrote the brachah on the back so the child would always remember.

After the 'zitz', the Rebbe continued to meet with individuals, give brachos, and accept kvitlach until close to midnight.