Nine years after the death of Rabbi Zalman Abelsky, Moldovan Jews still feel his loss. In the pantheon of charismatic and unique rabbis, Rabbi Abelsky's persona is still legendary, and the blessings that he gave, both to Jews and to Gentiles, remain engraved in the heart of the community.
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Rabbi Abelsky arrived in Kishinev in 1989 as the Lubavitcher Rebbe's first emissary to the region and proudly served the community for 25 years. "Meeting Rabbi Zalman in 1989 had a tremendous impact on me. It changed my entire worldview, both in terms of life and religion," Simcha Weinberg, a longtime member of the Kishinev Jewish community, said.
"Gradually I began to attend synagogue, and the religious life became a part of my life. I must admit that I have never met anyone like Rabbi Abelsky. As soon as he arrived, he started energetic activities at our quiet synagogue. He had a tremendous influence on the Jewish identity of Moldovan Jews," he said. "Very quickly, he established the kindergarten and the Jewish schools here, opened a Kosher kitchen, and began to work. That is how the Jewish community of Moldova was reborn," Weinberg said.
"We would frequently organize discussions in which we talked about the world of the Torah and life’s problems. It was very interesting. He spoke little and structured the conversation in such a way that others would express themselves more. He was very smart and did not usually make mistakes about people."
How was his relationship with the people of the community?
"Between the Mincha and Arvit prayers, he used to invite me to his office, where discussions were held. During this time, his phone was always ringing, and many people would call him asking for blessings. It should be noted that it wasn’t only Jews calling him, and the rumors that his blessings were fulfilled spread far and wide."
"There are many examples, but I can only tell you about myself. I asked him for a blessing only twice in my life. I thought his blessings were something very personal and I didn't want to bother him unnecessarily. There once was a young family I was good friends with who didn't have children. Rabbi Zalman suggested that they come to him, but they weren't comfortable going," he said adding that he spoke to the rabbi on their behalf.
"He asked what their names were and said, 'Don't worry, everything will be fine.' He would always say that they should fill their lives with kindness and responsibility before G-d. Exactly nine months later, they had a girl. I know this for certain. I also had another request for a blessing that was personal, which I can’t go into detail about, and Rabbi Zalman's blessing was fulfilled in the most wonderful way. It was a business issue, a case in which I could have lost a very large sum of money."
Weinberg said high-ranking officials also caught the advice of the rabbi, including presidents, prime ministers and ministers. "Once I witnessed a top scientist visiting him, a member of the Academy of Sciences. I am very happy that I got to know this great man and to work alongside him. He attracted people with his modernity and not because he was ultra-Orthodox," he said.
"I was far from religion, but I was encouraged to work with Rabbi Zalman. I saw a very impressive man with piercing eyes," Miroslava Mitalvaya, editor of the community's newspaper, said. "He amazed me when he said that his newspaper would appeal to the entire community and not just to the religious. Within a few years, a long line of people would arrive to receive his blessing from other cities and villages. Mitalvaya said. It should be noted that they were not only Jews but local Moldovans and Russians. In fact, all the first presidents of Moldova came to Rabbi Zalman’s synagogue and asked for his blessings," he said adding the Rabbi knew how to attract people. "He spoke Russian very well and had a special sense of humor," he said.
How were his meetings with the people?
"Most of his meetings took place behind closed doors. But sometimes I attended meetings with public figures and senior rabbis from around the world. He was often approached by people with family problems, work problems, or parents who were trying to bring children into the world. I can testify that in many cases after the blessings, babies were born."
First published: 09:48, 06.28.23