With the outbreak of World War II, great fear gripped the residents of Paris. Before long, the city was occupied by the Germans, who immediately began operating their machinery of destruction. About twenty percent of the Jews of France, may G-d avenge their blood, were murdered in the Holocaust.
At that time, a couple lived in the city who chose to lead a modest and quiet life. They were Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (later the Lubavitcher Rebbe), the son-in-law of the Rebbe Rayatz, and his wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the daughter of the Rebbe Rayatz.
In Paris, it was not easy to be meticulous in observing every detail of the commandments, and to fulfill even the most minor mitzvahs as carefully as the major ones. Yet, the Rebbe did not forgo a single detail, even when this involved difficulties. At his side the Rebbetzin stood with courage, sparing no effort to assist.
To obtain chalav Yisrael (milk supervised according to Jewish law), she would walk many kilometers to a dairy farm in the outskirts of the city, where she supervised the milking. Milk was an essential staple for them, since from most other foods the Rebbe almost completely abstained.
To the City of Nice
Three days before the occupation of Paris, the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin managed to flee to the city of Vichy in southern France. It seemed in Vichy they might find respite, as it was under independent French rule. However, it soon became clear that the Vichy regime was collaborating with the Nazis. After two months, they went farther south, to Nice, which was under Italian rule, where it was safer.
One day the Rebbetzin was walking along the coastal street of Nice. On her way she met a woman she knew—the wife of a Rabbi from Belgium. The two were among the refugees living in the city. When the Rebbetzin asked her what she was doing there, the woman replied that her husband had gone to immerse himself in the sea. She pointed to a distant spot in the water and said, “He is there.” She explained that her husband had wanted to distance himself from the bathing area and had gone to a secluded place.
Quick Thinking
Suddenly the Rebbetzin noticed a group of Germans approaching the area. She immediately understood that a great danger hovered over her friend’s husband if he were to return to the shore while the Germans were nearby.
The Rebbetzin hurried over to the lifeguard, anxiously pointed toward the Rabbi who was in the water not far from the shore, and said to him in French, “do you see the man there in the water? He must be rescued urgently!” As she spoke, she gestured to him about the approaching Germans.
The lifeguard understood the hint well. He quickly took the Rabbi’s clothes that had been left on the shore, got into the rescue boat, and rowed rapidly toward him.
Saved
When he reached him, he grabbed him and brought him up into the boat. He then began steering the boat away from the shore, to distance himself from the danger threatening the Rabbi.
Unwavering Dedication (continued)
Meanwhile, the Germans came close to the two Jewish women. The women themselves were not in danger, since the Germans generally did not harm them. Therefore, they continued to stand where they were and follow the lifeguard’s boat as it moved away. The lifeguard put the Rabbi ashore at a distant beach, where the Rabbi dressed and returned home.
The Rabbi’s wife was deeply grateful to the Rebbetzin. She saw how she had acted with resourcefulness and self-sacrifice, succeeding in removing her husband from the place of danger. That evening she sent one of her daughters to the apartment of the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin to thank her for the remarkable act of rescue and to inform her that the Rabbi had returned home safe and sound, thank G-d.
An Example and Inspiration
The Rebbe and the Rebbetzin continued their quiet activities in the shadow of terror and danger. Meanwhile, her father, the Rebbe Rayatz, conducted an extensive campaign to rescue them from Europe and to obtain entry visas for them to the United States.
On the 28th of Sivan, 5701 (1941), these efforts were crowned with success, and the Rebbe and the Rebbetzin arrived on the shores of the United States.
The Rebbetzin continued to live her modest life even after her husband became a towering figure in the Jewish world and beyond. Yet the many stories about her character, wisdom, nobility of spirit, gentleness of soul, and her measured, incisive sayings are enough to serve as an example and inspiration for all.
On the 22nd of Shevat, 5748 (1988), she returned her soul to her Creator.
