They came from different worlds, but they speak a common language. Rav Yankel Thumim, Boro Park’s Alshtadter Rav, and his rebbetzin, the only daughter of the first Bostoner Rebbe, share a lifetime of memories about their illustrious families and the chassidishe path that they have been zocheh to help preserve on American soil.
The Rav has many memories of his zeideh Rav Chaim Yitzchok Yerucham the first Alshtadter Rav whom the Divrei Chaim prophetically referred to as a talmid chacham when the future Alshtadter Rav was still a child.
“My great-grandfather on my mother’s side Rav Nosson Goldberger was the Limanover Rav and he suffered greatly Rachmana litzlan ” explains Rav Thumim recounting the story. “The Sanzer Rav sent him a message that he should come live with him for a year and things would go well.
“My great-grandfather went and his children became part of the Sanzer Rav’s household. On leil Shabbos they would line up with the Rebbe’s eineklach for brachos. The Limanover Rav‘s young daughter Ruchel Dinah took her turn one Friday night and the Rebbe who kept his eyes closed throughout said “I already wished for you that your husband will be a talmid chacham.”
In time Ruchel Dinah became the wife of the Alshtadter Rav an illustrious leader who resided in Vienna between the two world wars. During that period Vienna was a city teeming with Yidden and tzaddikim. The present Alshtadter Rav Rav Thumim grew up in that vibrant milieu.
Create a free account to keep reading.
