In the litvish enclave of Baltimore, Rebbetzin Malka Fayga Taub, wife of the Brider Rav, holds steadfast to her mesorah, radiating chassidish varmkeit to every Jew.
Hundreds of guests crowded around the kallah’s chair. The air was filled with mazel tov exclamations and the heady scent of flowers. Through the rainbow of color, I noticed Rebbetzin Malka Fayga Taub, wife of the Brider Rebbe, Rav Shaya Taub shlita. I inched past smiling faces toward her. I had always admired and liked the Rebbetzin from afar, but now was a chance have a real conversation. We chatted for a few minutes and then, together, entered the hall for the chuppah and sat down.
As we got to know each other, I was grateful for the delayed chuppah. A few weeks later, I was excited to hear her phone message: it would be an honor, she said, if I could join her for shalashidus — said with her trademark, chassidish pronunciation.
Late Shabbos afternoon, I approached the path leading up to the Taubs’ stately looking red brick house. I noticed the Rebbetzin sitting on a porch chair, a few seforim on her lap. She welcomed me warmly and held up one of the seforim — a majestic brown leather Tehillim with a silver design on the front, and an inscription from the Rebbetzin’s children. “This is the best gift my children could have given to me!” she said. The other volume was a leather-bound Pirkei Avos.
The Rebbetzin’s home was humble and inviting, and as I made myself comfortable I immediately sensed the same aura I’d felt in homes of gedolim I’ve been privileged to visit. The Taubs hold a special position in the Baltimore community — they are the trailblazers of the present-day chassidish community. I was eager to hear their story.
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