Тамуз і Ав: Подвиг віри в застінках НКВД та розрада у засланні

15 Sivan — Arrest of the Rebbe Rayatz (5687/1927)

On the fifteenth of Sivan 5687 (1927), in Leningrad, the Sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe — the Rebbe Rayatz (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson) — was arrested. The charge: supporting underground Jewish schools, chedarim, and mikvaot throughout the Soviet Union. The Rebbe Rayatz was imprisoned in the notorious Shpalerka prison, where he was sentenced to death. In the dungeons, he declared a three-day hunger strike demanding the return of his tefillin — and prevailed. His famous words shook even his interrogators: "Only our bodies were given over to exile... our souls were never enslaved." This unwavering faith became a symbol of Jewish resistance to the godless regime.

3 Tammuz — The First Miracle

On the third of Tammuz, the first miracle occurred: the death sentence of the Rebbe Rayatz was commuted to exile in Kostroma. The hand of G-d was visible in everything — the Soviet machine that destroyed millions retreated before a single Jewish leader. This same date — 3 Tammuz — acquired additional significance in 5754 (1994), when the Seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe passed away on this day. Chassidim believe that the Rebbe's spiritual influence did not diminish after this event but intensified manifold, continuing to inspire millions of people around the world to perform good deeds and study Torah.

12–13 Tammuz — Complete Liberation

On the twelfth and thirteenth of Tammuz, the Rebbe Rayatz was completely freed from exile. This day became a celebration for everyone who cherishes Torah and Jewish life. The liberation was such an open miracle that even confirmed skeptics could not fail to see the hand of G-d in it. The Rebbe Rayatz established these days as days of celebration and gratitude — not only for his personal deliverance but for the victory of the light of Torah over the darkness of godlessness. He emphasized: it was not only he who was liberated, but all who hold dear the sanctity of the Jewish name.

20 Av — Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (5704/1944)

On the twentieth of Av 5704 (1944), Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson — father of the Seventh Rebbe and Chief Rabbi of Dnepropetrovsk — passed away in exile in Alma-Ata. He was arrested on 9 Nissan 1939 for his tireless support of Jewish life in the city. Exiled to the remote town of Chi'ili (Kazakhstan), he continued even in exile to write the most profound commentaries on the Torah and the Zohar. His wife, Rebbetzin Chana, prepared ink from berries so that her husband could continue writing. After the war, she secretly smuggled these priceless manuscripts out of the USSR. The life of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak teaches us: Torah must be spread even in the darkest places, and it is precisely there that its light shines brightest.