Menucha Rochel Slonim
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Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel Slonim (1798-1888[1]) was a daughter of Rabbi Dovber Schneuri, the second Rebbe of the Chabad Hasidic dynasty. She is regarded a matriarch to the Chabad dynasty as well as Hebron's Jewish population in general.[2]
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[edit] Origin of name
Rebbetzin Slonim was born on the 19 Kislev, 1798, the same day her grandfather, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi was released from imprisonment in S. Petersburg. Her father chose the name Menucha because in Hebrew the word "menucha" means "peace and quiet". He said, "Henceforth we shall have a little Menucha."[3] She was named Rachel after an aunt that died in her youth.
[edit] Emigration to Hebron
After she fell dangerously ill, her father promised that she would live to emigrate to the Land of Israel. In 1845, with the blessing of her brother-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, she and her family emigrated to Hebron. To allay her fears of rainstorms on the journey to Hebron, Rabbi Schneersohn blessed her to "walk between the raindrops."[4] [5]
[edit] Life in Hebron
For forty-three years she served as the matriarch of the Hebron community. New brides and barren women would request blessings from her. Before she died on the 24th of Shevat 1888, she sent a letter to the then Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, informing him of her imminent passing. She thus lived during the leadership of all of the first five Lubavitcher Rebbes.[6]
[edit] Gravesite
Her gravesite in Hebron is regarded as holy, and is open to visitors.[7] The area of the cemetery with her gravesite was excluded from surrender to the Palestinians in the second Oslo accords.[8] Beginning in 1982, groups of Chabad Hassidim, Hebron settlers, and descendants of hers began visiting her gravesite each year on the anniversary of her passing. The yeshiva "Kollel Menucha Rochel" has been established in her name nearby.[9] Palestinians have repeatedly vandalized her resting place, creating friction in Hebron and Israel in general.[10] The presence of her gravesite is cited in American law as an argument for Jewish control of Hebron. [11]
[edit] References
- ^ Days in Chabad:Historic Events in the Dynasty of Chabad-Lubavitch, Brooklyn, 2002, pp. 70-71, 133-135
- ^ Chassidic Rebbe Biographies
- ^ Days in Chabad:Historic Events in the Dynasty of Chabad-Lubavitch, Brooklyn, 2002, p.70-71, 133-135
- ^ http://www.beismoshiach.org/pdf/333/mas333_e_b_news.pdf page 2
- ^ Machon Alte Sefad
- ^ Days in Chabad:Historic Events in the Dynasty of Chabad-Lubavitch, Brooklyn, 2002, p.70-71, 133-135
- ^ The Cave of Machpela | Institutions in Hebron
- ^ http://www.hazit.co.il/Default.aspx?tabid=323
- ^ COL - Chabad On Line
- ^ Israel News, May 11, 2001
- ^ http://www.geocities.com/capitolhill/senate/7854/hebronlegality.html
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