In the beginning of Kislev, I was searching all sorts of solutions to avoid a trial for my husband [HaRav Levi Yitzchok]. Time was running out. I spoke to the station-director of the NKVD of the department in which he was incarcerated, and although he was a Jew, he constantly, rudely rejected my requests.
From the prosecutor I found out that they had grouped together “religious counter revolutionaries” of whom the leader was “Schneerson”; this was a terrifying and dangerous accusation. In my pursuit of avenues to save him, I traveled to Moscow, with a request to the Attorney-General. After sitting and waiting for hours day after day, my turn came to finally meet the Attorney-General. He said that he will review my husband’s case. And as I was sitting there, he went over the entire file, with all the documents. I noticed a page which was annotated, that he is from “Schneerson group.” The outward show of kindness that this official displayed was a false one.
Nonetheless, when he told me to go home and that he will send me the answer, I wanted to believe that there will be good results.
“Your Husband is so important”...
A short while later we heard that his papers are being sent to Moscow, for a “trial in absentia,” where a person is judged without his presence. The judges presiding over these cases were four representatives of highest civilian and military offices. They decide beforehand, under which category the accused should be classified. And this was after all the petitions and requests I had made, and after speaking via telephone to the prosecutor and interrogator – they informed me, that they had sent all the material and papers to Moscow, to the department for “special cases”. They also added with much cynicism: “You see what a great person your husband is? We sent his case “extra-special” to Moscow, the capitol!”
I understood from this that he will be sent away – an eerie feeling of discomfort came with this realization.
Being that according to his passport, he was over 70 years old, and in his pocket he had papers that they were intending to send him away in exile, I made every effort that he should have special transportation. After great efforts, I was notified that he will arrive in good health. When I asked them to permit me to add a little extra to his (food) ration of 4 kilos – they responded that his health had improved so much that I will not recognize him; and that he is eating all their food which they are serving him.
When the appointed day of his exile approached, the interrogator told me to bake something for him to take along for his journey, because during his incarceration, he did not bring to his mouth any of their food.
(From the Memoirs of Rebbetzin Chana – 5708)
