Weekly Chasidic Story #613 (s5769-48 / 5 Elul 5769) Risk and Rescue The colonel had previously said to Rabbi Eliezer Zusia Portugal, the Skulener Rebbe,"Go away! If you come again on behalf of your Jews, I will kill you!" (Connection: yahrzeit date)
Risk and RescueIn the aftermath of World War II, Rebbe Eliezer Zusia Portugal,
the Skulener Rebbe, saved thousands of war refugees and orphans.
Nothing could stand in his way to fulfill his mission to rescue Jews who were
in need. In Chernowitz, which was under Soviet dominion, he assisted Soviet
Jews who had smuggled themselves across the border in to Romania. It was much
easier there to get papers to enable them to go on to America or Israel. Whenever
these Jews were caught they were immediately found guilty. The punishment was
imprisonment in Siberia or a quick bullet to the head. The Rebbe was indefatigable;
"I will get them out - regardless!" he exclaimed.
There was only one avenue left to be employed: he would go to the colonel and beg, regardless of the imminent personal danger involved. Jewish lives were at stake and that was more important than his own life. His family begged him not to go. "How can you risk your life like this?" they asked. He responded, "It is not clear that he will take out his wrath against me, but one thing is for sure, their lot is sealed unless I am able to do something in their behalf." The Skulener approached the colonel's house with trepidation, climbed up the steps and knocked on the door. When the colonel saw who stood at his doorstep, he was overcome with anger. He grabbed the Rebbe and threw him down the stairs. The Skulener was hurt badly, yet, with extreme difficulty, he was able to get up. With the little strength he had left, he once again climbed the stairs and knocked on the colonel's door. The colonel opened the door and could not believe his eyes. There
stood the Skulener Rebbe, dirty, bloodied, clothes torn - but with defiance
in his eyes. "I must speak to you, colonel!" the Skulener said, with
tears streaming down his face. The colonel listened: the Rebbe begged, he cried,
as he depicted the bitter plight of this hapless family. The colonel's hardened
heart could not ignore the selfless pleas, the heartfelt emotion of the Skulener
Rebbe. His devotion to others at the expense of his own wellbeing finally overcame
the colonel's resistance. The family was freed. Connection: Yahrzeit date (This story was slated for last week; sorry
about that! - yt) ~~~~~~~~~~~
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