Novardok

The main group of Novardokers were in Siberia for 2-3 years, but 3 more Bachurim were there for another 8 years. Reuven Ostrolanka (Wapner) was one of them. When his children asked him how he was able to live in such a Gehinom, he wondered: Don't know that I'm a Novardoker? This is although he came to Novardok before his Bar Mitzva, and he was only there for half a year.

The same with R' Pinchos Menachem Malach Zatzal. He came very young, and stayed only a year. But that was enough to turn him into a fire with loads of Mesiras Nefesh for the rest of his life. The Russians wanted Reuven to be a chief Rabbi in a Moscow shul, so he could inform on his brother Jews and get them in trouble. For refusing, he spent 6 months in a 2 x 4 cell! He had no fear, and was full of Bitachon.

This is despite the starvation rations and hard slave labor in freezing Siberia. Hashem sent him a young girl, a Tzadekes, who spent 3-day trips on trains to Siberia, in order to bring food to these 3 Bachurim. She did this frequently. In the end, she told the authorities that she is his wife, and since she is a Russian citizen, he should be able to get out of Siberia, and live in Russia with her.

Later, he told the Russians that he is a Polish citizen, and should be able to leave Russia with his “wife”, since she is connected with a Pole. And that's how they got out to the free world. At that point, she asked him if he would actually marry her! I guess that's the least he deserved! They both settled in Boro Park, and she was Moser Nefesh for Novardok all her life.

Sewing the Paroches and tablecloths for Bais Yosef. She was seen shlepping an abandoned coat rack from 13th Ave. to 49th St. Novardok Bais Medrash. Her maiden-name was Freida Altfetra. Those who brand themselves “Novardoker”, or a fighting: צִבְאוֹת ה' soldier in the army of Hashem like an armed kosher fish (see above, page 7-8) produce much more. Always insist on calling yourself a fighter in the army of Hashem. The Ponivezer Rov said that Novardokers were the official soldiers of Hashem.

The more you keep Chazzering your proud Shtempel, and keep reminding yourself of the fire and the Ruach and the Mesiras Nefesh that Novardokers do (and that you personally have also done), the more your Shtempel helps you overcome all kinds of weaknesses. Every Yid should give himself the kind of Shtempel that makes him on fire. By some, it might be the memory of your illustrious parents or Rabbeim that keeps you going. (Often, the Yetzer Hara makes you glorify only your sins and mistakes).