H
e was a small, frail man who had seen some of the worst destruction and oppression of the twentieth century – the physical destruction of the Nazi regime and the ideological oppression of the Communist regime. He survived beatings, prison, and privation – and throughout it all, he maintained his singular focus on the world of the spirit.
Rav Avraham Yisrael Portugal of Skulen glowed with purity and with a gentle love and concern for his fellow Jew. For decades, he led as a chassidic Rebbe, but he never made any concerted effort to expand his court and his community. Instead he invested all his energies – and beyond – in Yidden all over the world, young and old, close and far. Even very far.
Instead of building up his chassidus, he distributed huge sums of money to people in need. His life’s work was the Chesed L’Avraham organization in Eretz Yisrael, which provided physical and spiritual support to children from compromised homes.
In his simple, nearly Spartan home in Boro Park, one could find Yidden of all stripes, waiting expectantly to give him their kvittel and pour out their hearts. They were able to sense the tremendous heart that pulsed with care for an entire nation.
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