English speakers throughout the world still benefit from the wisdom and eloquence of Rav Avigdor Miller, ztz”l. But there’s an unlikely group of Yiddish speakers in a little pocket in Williamsburg who see Rav Miller as their rebbe, too. Led by Rav Avraham Shlomo Yavo, the chassidim of Nitei Avigdor retain their chassidish identities even as they imbibe the approach and ideals of an avowed Litvack. In honor of his rebbe’s tenth yahrtzeit, Rav Yavo shares his own memories of a precious relationship.
Williamsburg Friday afternoon near sundown. A blur of shtreimlach and beketshes fills the street as chassidim young and old rush off to shul. Each one heads to his rebbe to the Chassidus toward which he feels a particular pull to greet Shabbos on a spiritual uplift.
On Rutledge Street seventy families form a parade of their own heading to a modest basement shul. They too hope to be inspired by the words of their rebbe to be enthralled with the spirit of Shabbos. There are two differences however. One their rebbe is not alive anymore — and few of the chassidim have ever met him though they have heard plenty of his drashos. More surprisingly their rebbe doesn’t wear chassidish levush. In fact he was an avowed Litvack throughout his life.
The shul they are headed to is Nitei Avigdor named for their rebbe Rav Avigdor Miller ztz”l. And his impact on these chassidim while unexpected is firm and enduring.
The Litvishe Rebbe
Rabbi Avrohom Shlomo Yavo the Lemberger Rav is the founder and leader of the Nitei Avigdor community. Known throughout the chassidishe world for his absolute mastery of Shas — he can quote lengthy passages from anywhere in Shas and can source any statement of Chazal off the top of his head — Rav Yavo became a devout chassid of Rav Avigdor Miller seventeen years ago. His time is precious with many sheilos pouring in even as we speak but he sets aside an hour to discuss his rebbe and how it came to pass that so many chassidim became drawn to the teachings of a litvishe mashgiach.
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