While visiting their ancestral home in Romania and Moldova, the Skuliner Rebbe was warmly welcomed by the Chabad rabbi in Moldova, who is also his personal childhood friend.
The Skuliner Rebbe, accompanied by a sizable delegation, comprised mainly of sons and grandsons, visited the holy sites of the Chassidic dynasty in Moldova and Romania.
The Skulen Chasidic dynasty was founded by Rabbi Eliezer Zusia Portugal. It is now headed by his son, the current Rebbe, Rabbi Yisroel Avrohom Portugal.
While in Moldova’s capital, Kishinev, the mission spent time with Rabbi Zalman Abelsky, Moldova’s chief rabbi and shliach.
Rabbi Abelsky reminisced with the Rebbe, his childhood friend. He also told the Rebbe’s children and grandchildren present, about the rescue of their grandfather, the Skuliner Rov, in which he merited to play a vital role. “We managed in securing the Rov exit papers after getting him released from prison in communist Romania,” retold Rabbi Abelsky.
During the conversation, Rabbi Abelsky told of his friendship with the Skuliner Rov and how they partnered together, to help save the lives of many Jews during “those difficult days.”
Rabbi Abelsky, who has been Chabad’s representative in Moldova since the days of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, is the rabbi of the largest congregation in the country.
The Federation of Jewish Communities – Chabad Lubavitch Moldova, hosted the Skuliner delegation over the course of the Shabbos. A heated Mikve and comfortable rooms were made available to the longtime friend of Moldova’s chief rabbi.
Community members and Skuliner Chassidim alike, enjoyed a ’tish’ conducted by the Skuliner Rov and Rabbi Abelsky. Together, they shared memories of their childhood and words of wisdom they had heard from the greats of a vanished world.
The Rov recalled the days when he and Rabbi Abelsky would learn Gemara together, and would sometimes have to end learning to help in the life-saving activities in behalf of the Jews of Romania and Moldova.
During the farbrengen, Rabbi Abelsky elucidated a Gemara in Taanis about Moshiach’s arrival, expounding on the commentaries of the Chasam Sofer, Sdei Chemed and others.
As the meeting came to an end, the Chassidim asked Rabbi Abelsky to bless them, knowing the powers with which Rabbi Abelsky was bestowed, since he passed the Rebbe during a Sunday Dollars, years ago, and the Rebbe told him, “You bless Jew, and I will bless them.”
The unique reunion was covered extensively by the local newspapers and television stations.
