The Night a Soviet Prison Became a Place of Light

The true power of trust in Hashem often shines brightest during life's most difficult moments. One remarkable story told by Rabbi Yaakov Galinsky zt"l, a disciple of the Alter of Novardok, demonstrates how unwavering faith can illuminate even the darkest circumstances.

While imprisoned in a Soviet labor camp under harsh conditions, Rabbi Galinsky faced a painful question: How could he fulfill the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles when he had no candles, no oil, and no freedom?

What followed became a powerful lesson in faith, determination, and the ability to find spiritual light even in the depths of darkness.

A Chanukah in a Soviet Labor Camp

"One year," Rabbi Galinsky recalled in a talk later published in the book Doresh Tov, "the communists arrested me, and when Chanukah arrived, I found myself in a labor camp together with 80 non Jews. I kept thinking about how I could possibly fulfill the mitzvah of lighting Chanukah candles."

Then an idea occurred to him.

Hanging from the ceiling of the room was a kerosene lamp whose flame could be adjusted by turning a small knob.

Rabbi Galinsky began analyzing the halachic question. If increasing the flame is considered kindling on Shabbat, perhaps increasing the lamp's flame could also be considered a form of lighting for Chanukah.

After careful thought, he concluded that it could.

There was only one problem.

A Very Unusual Solution

Rabbi Galinsky was not tall enough to reach the lamp.

Fortunately, the other prisoners respected him. They admired his devotion to prayer and noticed that he refrained from eating the meat provided in the camp, surviving mainly on vegetables.

When he explained his situation and asked for help, they immediately agreed.

One of the prisoners, a towering repeat offender, lifted Rabbi Galinsky onto his shoulders and held him securely in place.

Suspended near the ceiling, Rabbi Galinsky recited the Chanukah blessings aloud.

"I was publicizing the miracle," he later explained. "Even before non Jews."

Suddenly, Darkness

Then came the unexpected.

As Rabbi Galinsky reached for the knob to increase the flame, the lamp suddenly went out completely.

The room was plunged into darkness.

The prisoner quickly lowered him to the ground as chaos erupted around the room. The inmates began shouting and pounding on the doors.

Within minutes, armed guards stormed inside.

"Who extinguished the lamp?" they demanded.

Eighty fingers pointed directly at Rabbi Galinsky.

The Unexpected Sentence

Rabbi Galinsky was brought before the camp commander.

"Did you extinguish the lamp?" the commander asked.

"Yes," Rabbi Galinsky replied.

The commander informed him that he had violated a serious prison regulation. The punishment was three days in solitary confinement.

Solitary confinement in the labor camp was notorious. It consisted of a tiny, filthy room infested with mice, so small that prisoners could not even lie down. They were forced to remain standing in place for hours on end.

Yet when Rabbi Galinsky heard the sentence, he began rejoicing.

"I started singing and thanking Hashem," he later recalled. "Thank You, Master of the Universe, for putting me in solitary confinement!"

The commander stared at him in disbelief.

A Remarkable Explanation

"Why are you so happy?" the commander asked. "Do you even understand what solitary confinement is?"

Rabbi Galinsky responded, "Before I answer that, perhaps Your Honor should first ask why I extinguished the lamp."

The commander agreed.

With great creativity, Rabbi Galinsky explained that according to his religion, there was a special commandment requiring a person to spend eight days in solitary confinement. Since he had no other way to fulfill this supposed obligation, he intentionally extinguished the lamp, knowing the punishment would be solitary confinement.

"I am delighted," he told the commander, "because now I will be able to fulfill our mitzvah."

The commander immediately rejected the idea.

"In that case," he declared, "forget it. We communists are certainly not going to help you fulfill your religious commandments. You're not going into solitary confinement."

Instead, he ordered Rabbi Galinsky back to his barracks.

A Personal Chanukah Miracle

For Rabbi Galinsky, the entire episode became his own personal Chanukah miracle.

In a place designed to crush the human spirit, he found a way to preserve his connection to Torah and mitzvot. Through faith, courage, and remarkable ingenuity, he transformed a Soviet labor camp into a place of spiritual victory.

His story reminds us that no darkness is too great for the light of emunah. Even when circumstances seem impossible, trust in Hashem can illuminate a path forward and reveal miracles where we least expect them.