Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky: The Torah Scholar Who Defied the Soviets

Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky zt"l was one of the most influential Torah leaders of the twentieth century. Renowned for his extraordinary scholarship, unwavering faith, and remarkable perseverance, he left a lasting impact on the Torah world through both his leadership and his monumental works of Torah literature.

Here are seven fascinating facts about the life of Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky.

1. A Torah Prodigy From a Young Age

Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky was born in Belarus in 1886. He studied at the Novardok Yeshiva, where he became especially close to the rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Yosef Yozel Horwitz, known as the Alter of Novardok. At the Alter's request, he even learned with his sons.

At just 17 years old, Rabbi Abramsky received rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Yechiel Michel Epstein, the rabbi of Novardok and author of Aruch HaShulchan.

He continued his studies at Telz Yeshiva, Ramailes Yeshiva, and in the renowned study group led by Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski in Vilna. After marrying Reizel, the daughter of Rabbi Yisrael Yehonatan Yerushalimsky, a son in law of the Ridbaz, he was supported by his father in law and learned from him the methods of halachic decision making. Following his marriage, he also traveled to study with Rabbi Chaim of Brisk.

2. Arrested for Wanting to Live in the Land of Israel

In 1928, Rabbi Abramsky was invited to serve as the rabbi of Petach Tikvah. However, the Soviet authorities refused to allow him to leave the country.

Later, he was arrested and accused of "anti Soviet activity" because of his desire to immigrate to the Land of Israel. In Elul 5690, he was arrested by the G.P.U., sentenced to five years of hard labor, and sent to a Siberian labor camp, where he remained for six months.

3. A Worldwide Effort Secured His Release

Rabbi Abramsky's imprisonment sparked a major international campaign on his behalf.

Among those who worked tirelessly for his release were the Chafetz Chaim, Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, and Rabbi Joseph Zvi Hertz, the Chief Rabbi of England.

Their efforts bore fruit, and after approximately one year in prison, Rabbi Abramsky was released on the eve of Yom Kippur 5692. The Soviet authorities agreed to free him only on the condition that he permanently leave the Soviet Union.

He was first exiled to Latvia, then traveled to Poland, and eventually settled in London.

4. His Family Was Held as Collateral

The Soviet authorities kept Rabbi Abramsky's wife and children in Russia to ensure that he would never return.

Several months later, his wife and two of his sons were permitted to leave the country. His two older sons, however, remained trapped in the Soviet Union for several more years.

Their eventual release came through the efforts of Anthony Eden, Britain's foreign secretary.

5. He Became a Leading Torah Authority in London

After arriving in England, Rabbi Abramsky served as rabbi of the Machzikei Hadath community in London.

He later became a dayan on the London rabbinical court and eventually served as its head.

Alongside his communal responsibilities, he devoted himself to his life's work: writing Chazon Yechezkel, his monumental commentary on the Tosefta, which became one of the classic works of modern Torah scholarship.

In 1945, he also published Eretz Yisrael: Nachalat Am Yisrael.

6. He Spoke Up for Torah Education in Israel

In 1949, Rabbi Abramsky visited the Land of Israel and toured many yeshivot throughout the country.

During the visit, he met with Prime Minister David Ben Gurion and Education Minister Zalman Shazar. He emphasized to them that yeshivot and Talmudei Torah were among the Jewish people's most sacred treasures and that their unique character and educational mission must be preserved.

That same year, he received the Rav Kook Prize for Torah Literature from the Tel Aviv municipality.

7. He Spent His Final Years Building Torah in Jerusalem

After retiring in 1951, Rabbi Abramsky moved to Israel with his family and settled in Jerusalem's Bayit Vagan neighborhood.

In 1957, he was awarded the Israel Prize for Torah Literature. He became one of the leading figures of Slabodka Yeshiva, where he delivered a weekly lecture, and in 1963 he was appointed president of the Vaad HaYeshivot.

He also worked extensively on behalf of Chinuch Atzmai, served among the founders and presidents of Atra Kadisha, and was president of the National Center for Family Purity.

Rabbi Yechezkel Abramsky passed away in Jerusalem on the 24th of Elul 5736 at the age of 90 and was laid to rest at Har HaMenuchot.

A Miraculous Rescue From Siberia

While Rabbi Abramsky was imprisoned in Siberia, the Chafetz Chaim recited four chapters of Tehillim every day on his behalf. Across the Jewish world, efforts were underway to secure the release of the revered Torah scholar.

Then, on the eve of Yom Kippur, an astonishing event took place.

One of the guards entered Rabbi Abramsky's cell and informed him that he was free. The guard even handed him a train ticket. Gathering his few possessions, Rabbi Abramsky headed to the train station.

As he stood alone on the platform, the chief commander of the detention camp approached him.

"Are you about to travel by train?" he asked.

When Rabbi Abramsky answered yes, the commander continued: "Are you a rabbi?"

Again, Rabbi Abramsky answered yes.

The commander then asked to see the train ticket. Fearing the worst, Rabbi Abramsky handed it over.

After examining it, the commander quietly explained that the ticket was for an unheated railcar. Traveling in that car, he warned, could be fatal because passengers often froze to death during the journey. According to reports, this was one of the Soviet regime's cruel methods of eliminating unwanted prisoners.

After making sure no one was watching, the commander pulled another ticket from his pocket and handed it to Rabbi Abramsky. This one was for a heated railcar.

Then he did something even more surprising.

The commander asked Rabbi Abramsky for forgiveness for the suffering he had caused him during his imprisonment.

"I am also a Jew," he whispered. "Please forgive me."

When the train arrived, Rabbi Abramsky was indeed placed in a heated car. During the journey, he witnessed the tragic fate of passengers in the freezing rear cars, many of whom did not survive the trip.

Because it was the eve of Yom Kippur, Rabbi Abramsky left the train before sunset in a small town. He did not even have time to eat the pre fast meal. Instead, he went directly to the synagogue, set down his belongings, and spent Yom Kippur there.

Only after Yom Kippur did he continue his journey home.

Although the Soviet authorities had reluctantly agreed to release him due to international pressure, they continued trying to prevent him from returning safely. Yet throughout the difficult journey, Divine providence accompanied him.

While traveling by train from Lithuania toward Warsaw, Rabbi Abramsky unexpectedly encountered Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman hy"d.

The two Torah giants embraced in amazement.

After thanking Hashem for Rabbi Abramsky's release, Rabbi Elchanan suddenly asked:

"Isn't it true that you were released from Siberia on the eve of Yom Kippur?"

"Yes," replied Rabbi Abramsky. "But how do you know that? Even my family did not know."

Rabbi Elchanan answered:

"On the morning before Yom Kippur, I was walking with the Chafetz Chaim after prayers. In the middle of the road, he suddenly stopped and said, 'Nu, the Bolsheviks did not succeed. Now they have released the rabbi of Slutsk from prison.'"

For Rabbi Elchanan, there was no doubt that the Chafetz Chaim had known through Divine inspiration that Rabbi Abramsky had been freed.