Rabbi Pinchas Teitz of Elizabeth, N.J. made 22 trips to Russia in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Even in the heyday of the Communist empire and the secret police, he managed to secure permission for his visits. He had good contacts in the government and they trusted him. Nevertheless, he was often able to utilize his visits to secretly smuggle in important Jewish paraphernalia, such as tefilin and prayer books, for the benefit of the oppressed Jews of the U.S.S.R.
Although Rabbi Teitz was born and educated in Lithuania and its yeshivas, it was impossible to be involved in Jewish life in the Soviet Union in those days and not laud the activities of the Chabad Chasidim who had dedicated their lives to preserve Judaism there. Thus, many times he merited to bring objects from the Lubavitcher Rebbe to his Chasidim in Russia, and vice versa.
Once, when Rabbi Teitz was preparing for another trip, a representative of the Rebbe brought him a package. This was no surprise; he was already used to and even expected the arrival of an emissary and the usual package.
But this time the messenger from the Rebbe also took out a small-sized volume of Tanya, the foundation book of Chabad teachings, and handed it to the rabbi. He explained that the Rebbe asked that Rabbi Teitz take it and carry it with him while in Russia, but didn't say who to give it to.
"I was astonished," related Rabbi Teitz afterwards. "To cooperate with the Rebbe to deliver basic Jewish necessities to the deprived Jews of Russia was one matter, but to go with a copy of Tanya in my luggage? To Russia? It seemed unnecessarily dangerous. The KGB knew very well what is a Tanya. What plausible explanation could I give if it were detected?"
In the end, he decided to take it. If the Rebbe was making such an unusual request of him, he must have a good reason.
On the third day of his stay in Moscow, while he was walking back to his hotel from the Great Synagogue after the Evening Prayer, two young men approached him as he passed through a dark side street. They forced him quickly into a nearby parked car. The rabbi was taken by surprise and of course frightened. Were they the KGB? Was this a kidnapping?
His fears were soon dissipated, however as his two "snatchers" turned out to be local Chabad Chasidim. They apologized for the rough treatment, explaining that this was the only means by which they could possibly bring him to a safe house, and they needed to discuss with him matters of emergency.
Only after they were safely in the house, did the two introduce themselves. They said they had investigated and discovered that he could be trusted, and what they wanted of him was that he should deliver a message to the Rebbe for each of them. They had major life decisions to make for which they needed the Rebbe's input, and they couldn't wait for an official emissary.
The older one had recently found out that the KGB was actively pursuing him, so he wanted to know if the Rebbe thought he should flee Moscow and move to another city, or should he remain despite the obvious danger in order to maintain and further his important educational activities in the Jewish underground, which the Rebbe already knew about.
The second, the younger, wanted the Rebbe's advice whether he should apply for an emigration visa to Israel. Recently, a number of such requests had been approved. However, he held an excellent position as a top engineer, and as soon as he would submit his application he would be fired from his job, and if the request was refused, he would be left without any means of support.
Rabbi Teitz was very moved by the fiery dedication of the two Chasidim. He promised to memorize their names and their questions to tell the Rebbe, as it would be too dangerous to write them down and have such a paper in his possession. The three men relaxed and engaged in conversation. The rabbi mentioned that the Rebbe had given him a Tanya to keep with him on the trip.
"Do you mean to say that you have this Tanya from the Rebbe in your possession? Now? Here?" they exclaimed enthusiastically.
Rabbi Teitz silently took the Tanya from his coat pocket and showed it to them. They eagerly examined it from all sides and angles. Their increasing excitement was palpable. Clearly they were overjoyed to be holding a book that less than a week ago had been in the Rebbe's own holy hands.
While holding the book, one of them shouted out in amazement. He pointed to what their intense scrutiny had uncovered: a page had been folded down at the top corner, as a person sometimes does in place of a bookmark.
They opened to the page and were awestruck by the very first words! "...he is extremely pressed for time and finds it utterly impossible to delay..."
"That's my answer from the Rebbe!" cried out the older Chasid, visibly shaking with emotion. The Rebbe is telling me to hurry and escape from here."
The younger Chasid quickly picked up the book and eagerly examined it even more closely, hoping to find another crimped page. And there was one! Again they were overwhelmed. This time it only took two words! "...l'heekaneis l'aretz... - to enter the Land..."
"That's the answer for me!" he shouted excitedly. "I should apply to make aliyah to the Holy Land now."
The two pleaded with Rabbi Teitz to allow them to keep the book. He refused, saying that the Rebbe had instructed him to carry it with him, but had said nothing about giving it to anyone.
Translated and freely adapted by Yrachmiel Tilles from V'rabim Hashiv M'avon and Sichat HaShavua for www.AscentOfSafed.com. Yrachmiel Tilles is a founder of Ascent in Tzfas and director of www.KabbalaOnline.org Do not reprint without permission of the author.
