By Yisroel Flam
This article originally appeared in Yated Neeman, Monsey NY. and is reprinted here with their permission
Thousands of people were involved in the levaya of the Tzaddik Rabbi Avrohom Abba Freedman. The levaya started in Detroit, continuing on in Newark airport where residents from New York and New Jersey were able to take leave of their beloved Rebbe and friend, and finally the Levaya arrived in Yerushalayim, culminating at Har Hamenuchos where by HashgachaPpratis theKvura took place near Rav Avrohom Abba's beloved mentor Rabbi Simcha Wasserman ZT"L.
The Freedman family wishes to express its Hakoras Hatov to everyone who participated in the moving and meaningful Hespedim delivered at each location.
The family takes note that in Detroit, the maspidim were Rabbi Elchonon Bunim, the niftar's son, followed by Rabbi Moshe Schwab, Rosh Hakollel of Detroit; Rabbi Dov Loketch, Rabbi of Agudas Israel Magen Avrohom; Rabbi Yehuda Bakst, Ra"m of Yeshiva Gedola Ateres Mordechai and Mr. Ginadi Shmulensky.
At the airport in Newark the maspidim were Rabbi Joseph Elias; Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky, Rosh Yeshivas Philadelphia; Rabbi Mattisyahu Salomon, Mashgiach, Bais Medrash Govoah; Rabbi Shimshon Brodsky; Rabbi Dovid Pam, (son in law); and Rabbi Yaakov Freedman(a son) .
In Yerushalayim the maspidim were Rabbi Moshe Reuven Freedman, (a son); Rabbi Yitzchak Sheiner, Rosh Yeshivas Kamenetz; Rabbi Mechel Krieger; Rabbi Tzvi Meir Silverberg: Rabbi Yitzchok Chinn; Rabbi Yaakov Levy; and Rabbi Sharaga Yaakov Miller.
It is not within the purview of this article, written for a weekly publication, to record all the special beautiful Divrei Torah, and the heartfelt feelings of each Maspid. The writer has taken the liberty of preparing this article, gleaned partially from many of the gems that were declaimed during the hespeidim.
In this week's Parshas Terumah, we are given the Mitzvah of creating a Mishkan, a repository where the Shechinah, G-d's Divine Presence would rest. The Medrash quotes an astonished Moshe asking, "Ribbono Shel Olam! Can the Jewish people really build such a Mishkan?" Answers Hashem, "Even one person can do it!" In fact, the Medrash notes that strangely the Mitzvah is given in the singular form: May-ais Kol Ish - from each man, rather than the plural form. The Medrash explains to us that for the erection of a Mishkan, A-fi-lu Ish Echad even one Jew has the ability to construct an edifice where the Shechinah would rest!
What transposes a city into a Mishkan Hashem is the amount of Torah, Yiras Shamayim, and Chessed that is produced in it. Judged by these measures the city of Detroit today serves as a world center for the presence of Shechina, G-d's Divine presence.
Who is responsible for the transformation of Detroit from a "Minor League Town" which has blossomed and exploded into an Ir V'em B'yisroel - into a city of Yeshivos, Kollelim, Mikva'os, and Kiruv organizations making it perhaps into one of the greatest cities on the continent? What transpired in Detroit, where at the end of World War II there were only two people (Rav Avrohom Abba and Rav Simcha Wasserman zt'l) who learned through the night on Shavuous contrasting with perhaps hundreds who today appreciate the night of the Giving of the Torah? Why in the post War years, could you almost count on your two hands the number of people who kept the beautiful Mitzvah of Sukkah compared to hundreds of Sukkas that are visible today in all areas of Detroit?
The answer to all these questions is Rabbi Avrohom Abba Freedman ZT"L who appeared on the Detroit scene where he caused a seismical change in all areas of Jewish life.
Rabbi Freedman, the legendary figure who created, crafted, and bestowed Nitzchiyus, the gift of Eternity onto the city of Detroit, returned his pure soul to his maker on Shabbos, Parshas Yisro, 20th of Shevat.
Who was this self-effacing man who wore the crown of Anivus - humility with such extraordinary skill, dignity, and tznius?
Who was this man who did not possess charismatic qualities, yet managed to keep generation upon generation fascinated by his sincerity and Emes, the pristine unadulterated, pure truth? Who was this man who didn't have a good speaking voice, yet mesmerized all those with whom he came into contact?
Who was this man who was physically short, and of slight build yet able to ignite a flame in all those all who knew him as a giant of Jewish Torah thought and Jewish Weltanshauung? What was it that motivated this extraordinary man to reach the spiritual heights of our greatest tzaddikim without ever bearing the title or reputation of a Gaon and deep scholar?
What was it that made it possible for him to appear to be simple, and uncomplicated yet, the fact is he was a Gaon in Ahavas Yisroel - in love with each Yid - regardless of the level of the person's learning, the size of his Yarmulka, or his association with Chassidim, Misnagdim, a more secular background, or his standard of observance?
The answer to all these questions can be summed up by Rabbi Avrohom Abba Freedman's unequivocal acceptance of Rabbi Shrage Feivel Mendlowitz ZT"L as his Rebbe, his mentor, his trusted friend, his advisor..and ultimately as his Rebbe's special Talmid. And for how long did this relationship last? Did it stop when his Rebbe was Niftar over half a century ago? Were there any other people even of great stature who ever replaced Rabbi Mendlowitz in Rabbi Avrohom Abba's mind? For more than half a century the Talmid lived on, carrying out his program as in the past. It was like Yehoshua and his Rebbe Moshe "Na'ar Lo Yamush Me'toch Ha'ohel" - the Talmid never wavered from being connected to his great Rebbe. As Mori V'rabi Rabbi Nesanel Quinn shlita remarked when he delivered his hesped, "Rabbi Avrohom Abba received a bracha when he was asked to leave for Detroit. Rabbi Mendlowitz told him the words we find in the Krias Shema, "Ve'hayu Hadevarim Ha'eileh Asher Anochi Metzavcha Hayom Al L'vavecha - "and the words which I command you this day shall be on your heart" The message not only concerns Mitzvos which Hashem commands us to do. The deeper message is "Asher Anochi Metzaveh", which I, Hashem, connect to you, that is, which I Hashem join with you, which I unite with you (Me'tzaveh here is an expression of Tzeves, connection). The bracha that Rabbi Avrohom Abba received was that wherever the talmid would go Hashem would be attached to him. And the bracha bore fruit! For over 67 years whatever Rabbi Freedman touched, whichever endeavor he explored, and each and every project he embraced was crowned with exceptional success!
His son Rabbi Elchonon Bunim, in his hesped, attributed the amazing success of his father to one element in Rabbi Freedman's character: His singular focus on whatever it was he was doing. He never changed! For 56 years his aspirations, his hopes, his dreams and his visions were all concentrated on carrying out the shlichus, the message and the mission of his Rebbe. At all times there stood before him a heavenly message so often expressed by Rabbi Shraga Feivel: It's not enough to carry out the simple translation of the words of Ve'ahavta es Hashem Elokecha - love your G-d. One must carry out the words of Chazal, She'te'hay Shem Shomayim Mis'ahev Al Yadecha - that you should act in such a way that the name of G-d becomes beloved through your deeds and actions.
By the Hashgacha of Hashem, Rabbi Avrohom Abba was not alone in promoting Hashem's eternal word to the city of Detroit. Joined by his colleague Rabbi Sholom Goldstein zt"l the pair of them developed into a team of soul - brothers, the likes of which was never seen elsewhere on the American continent. Rabbi Goldstein was Rabbi Freedmans alter ego. These T'ray Tzentari D'Dhavah - these two golden conduits, this fantastic couple was responsible for the great success of Detroit. With typical Anivus Rabbi Avraham Abba would say "Rabbi Goldstein was the idea man. I only carried out what he developed in his mind."
Before the word "Kiruv" entered the lexicon of Jewish thought, Rabbi Freedman was quick to recognize that a city of close to 100,000 Jews deserved more than an afternoon school to teach Torah. It needed a genuine Yeshiva where children would study all day in the warm atmosphere of Torah, and the founding of such a mossad required true Mesiras Nefesh! Who would be brave enough to threaten his/her educational future by changing from public school for an insignificant newfangled institution, a "Yeshiva."? Rabbi Freedman and a few young Rebbeim inspired by Bais Medrash Elyon and the Aish Dos Program, went from door to door soliciting students for the Yeshiva.
Which girl would give up her special ballet classes and sports events in the public schools? So how did he do it? By offering a strong, sincere competition, beating the secularists at their own game. Rabbi Freedman together with Rabbi Goldstein made a program that was to make Torah enjoyable, educational, and perhaps most important of all, to give the children a sense of Jewish pride in being a boy or girl who attended the Yeshiva. They took the students on tobogganing trips in the winter and on camping trips in the summer. They created a Yeshiva Day Camp. Their homes were open every Shabbos for children to experience a true Shabbos, insuring that the Yeshiva would have long range effects on the students.
It was this remarkable climate in the early 50's that brought about a massive protest against one of the prominent shuls in Detroit that planned to have mixed dancing. The protest was led by a group of girls from the Yeshiva. The Ba'alei Batim were bewildered! "We're doing everything for the youth and they simply don't understand what is good for them."
So how do you have an unforgettable experience? Rabbi Freedman had the children take trips to Cleveland Yeshiva, where the boys had the opportunity to see how a Yeshiva functions. He established visits to New York, to Mesifta Torah Vodaas, to Willamsburg, and in later years to New Square where the boys would meet with the Rebbe.
In the 50's, Hashgacha Pratis provided Reb Avrohom Abba with a tremendous opportunity. A new expressway was being built and many hundreds of houses were dismantled. Reb Avrohom Abba mobilized the Rebbes of the Yeshiva to buy hundreds of doors at giveaways prices. The doors were happily converted into beautiful Sukkos. The sheer numbers of Sukkos and personal involvement of the children in this enterprise made a deep impression on the entire city. It was a true Zman Simcha for the entire community! The Sukkos constructed from exquisite doors were truly the openings to Simcha Shel Mitzvah and will never be forgotten by those involved. "Operation Sukkah Building" was mentioned by Rabbi Yaakov Levy at the hesped in Yerushalayim when he said, "Rabbi Freedman converted broken doors into Sukkos, and he converted broken Neshomos into full fledged Yiden!"
One young man, who today is a principal in a prominent New York School, was asked why he was training to be a Menahel. His answer, "I want to give back to the world what Rabbi Avrohom Abba Freedman gave to me."
What were the conditions of kashrus in Detroit right after the war? When Rabbi Freedman came as a Bachur he could have found Hetarim (leniencies) of which to take advantage. But that was not the stuff of which our Niftar was made. He was very careful not to drink any milk except Cholov Yisroel, going out to the farm once a week with great inconvenience to get his milk. The only meat that entered his mouth and that of his family was brought from New York - often involving much effort. The children remember times when their car would be dripping with unpleasant fluids emanating from the roof where the meat had been stored. The observance of Mikvah too, was followed with a stringency that only a Tzaddik and his family could live with.
Rabbi Elias, principal of Yeshiva Bais Yehuda for many years, quoted in his hesped: "There is no one as beloved by Hakadosh Baruch Hu as someone who is sent to do a Mitzvah and is prepared to sacrifice himself in carrying out his Shlichus." Added Rabbi Elias, "The Ribbono Shel Olam sends Shlichim into the world. Rabbi Avrohom Abba was saw himself as the Shliach of his great Rebbe. The Credentials for his Shlichus were total dedication to his Shlichius and a total lack of selfishness. He never thought about himself. Through Rabbi Freedman's special powers of persuasion, he prevailed on me to go to Detroit, and until this day I am grateful. I express my Hakoras Hatov to him for making me take on this assignment. For I can bear testimony that during the years of my stay, the good of the Yeshiva and the good of the community and all the various activities in which he was involved always were top priority. He inspired the Ba'alei batim and Russians who converged there. There was never a break. He was always thinking about others."
An explanation of Rabbi Freedman's course in life could be garnered by what he often told this writer: Why is it that we use the term of Mesiras Nefesh to define self -sacrifice? Why is it not called Mesiras Haguf - the sacrifice of the body?" His answer was that many times it is easy to give up the body for the sake of Hashem. But it is much more difficult to sacrifice the Nefesh, the soul. The greatest form of Ahavas Yisroel is to sacrifice one's ability to get ahead in his Ruchniyos, his self development in Torah and Jewish scholarship; to sacrifice ones ability to plumb the depths and wisdom of our vast Torah - all in order to see the advancement of a fellow Jew! This was Rabbi Avrohom Abba's decision: to restrict his own spiritual advancement for the sake of others.
Once he made the decision to serve as an Eved Hashem, a servant of G-d, there were no limitations regarding his personal Kavod and honor. It was not below his dignity to teach elementary courses, or material which was not "popular." For many years he gave a shiur for adults in Chumash based on the teachings of Rabbi Shamshon Rafael Hirsch, with amazing success. A word by his Rebbe was a command! Since his Rebbe had high regard for Rabbi Hirsch then that was the way to go. If his Rebbe approved of it, it could only be good. Through these lessons he raised the level of many of the unlearned Ba' alei Batim in Detroit and many of them became involved in the Yeshiva. Mr. Marvin Berlin, a prominent Detroit businessman, considers himself as one of the close disciples of Rabbi Freedman.
Similarly, when Rabbi Freedman was asked to take on the position of Administrative Director at Yeshiva Bais Yehuda, a position which did not involve his participation in the actual Chinuch, the education of the Yeshiva, Rabbi Freedman did not challenge the decision. "If that is what is good for the Yeshiva then it is good for me." And he immediately threw himself into his work with enthusiasm and verve as always with the Lebedigkeit of a 20 year-old starting out on his first career.
U'matzdikay Harabim Ka'chochavim L'olam Vo'ed - those who work for the needs of the public shine like the stars forever! Rabbi Ruderman zt"l noted that the stars are far away and emit a distant, faint light. We do not realize that though the light is distant and faint, there is tremendous energy and light that is coming from the stars. In this vein, Rabbi Avrohom Abba who was a fantastic light for Klal Yisrael, made himself appear to be small, yet generated the light that elevated Detroit to eternity! Rabbi Dov Loketch added that just like the stars are visible only at night, so to did this Tzaddik, Reb Avrohom Abba do his Avodas Hashem at night. When everybody was already asleep and complacent Rabbi Avrohom Abba would first start his work going from one Mitzvah to the next.quietly, with Anivus and with tznius.
It is quite common for people in the education field to suffer from burn-out. Handling Ba'alei Batim, difficult parents, and recalcitrant children, eventually takes its toll. Even the hard and strong ones eventually retire. But Rabbi Avrohom Abba? He was always as fresh as ever to take on new assignments and adventures. The sight of any new face evoked within the depths of his Neshama a freshness and a love to turn yet another Yid around. Ha'sneh Einenu Ukol - the consuming fire of bringing a Jew back to Yiddishkeit neither flickered nor was diminished. People who would meet him after many years would say, "It's the exact same Avrohom Abba who I knew 56 years ago when he came to Detroit!"
When Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz told him to do something even once, Rabbi Avrohom Abba considered it to be an order for life. Rabbi Shrage Feivel told him that there was great value in the writings of Rabbi Shamshon Rafael Hirsch, so the great Niftar gave shiurim based on his writings with determined regularity for over 50 years. And because Rabbi Shraga Feivel told him it was important to learn Tanach, Rabbi Avrohom learned Tanach every day for the rest of his life.
Rabbi Avrohom Abba was always on the lookout searching to find great people, Gedolim. It was not below his dignity to search them out. It did not matter to him whether a person was a Chassidishe Rebbe, a Litvisher Rosh Yeshiva, or a serious Jew who showed Gadlus Hamachshava, a thinking person.
If he felt that there was someone whom he thought he could be Me'karev, he was prepared to go to the end of the earth without batting an eyelash. There comes to mind the time when he felt that such a person could "use his services" in Europe so off he dashed! Like the famous Chassidik masters who would suddenly ask that the horses be harnessed for a mission in the middle of the night, Reb Avrohom would suddenly disappear as if in a cloud of dust to save a Jew. (Today's jets provide almost the same speed as the fast-galloping horses who mysteriously covered incredible mileage!)
What about money? Where did he get the funds to cover the expenses? Once again we must turn to Chassidick masters of old to answer this question. G-tt Vett Helffen. G-d will help and "somehow", (to use one of Rabbi Freedman's key words), Reb Avrohom Abba always had enough money for Mitzvos from understanding people.
In Detroit there was a man who was the direct product of Reb Avrohom Abba's influence. The fruit of Reb Avrohom Abba's labor is currently blossoming into even newer success with his son becoming a Rebbe at Bais Yehuda. When this Rebbe's class asked the Rebbe "Who was Rabbi Freedman?" here is a small part of his response:
Reb Shrage Feivel Mendlowitz Zt"l who was Rabbi Freedman's Rebbe used to say that America was an Eretz Lo Ze'ruah, it is a barren land where Loy, No, is planted all over the land! Loy! "No! We can't possibly do that! No! That will not work over here!" No! It doesn't pay to try! Said Reb Shrage Feivel to his Talmidim, "We must go out and show Americans that when it comes to Torah and Yiddishkeit, we say Yes! We can and yes we will!" Now you know who Rabbi Freedman was!
The Rebbe continued to tell the following story to his Talmidim:
"He once asked me if I would move to Russia and become a principal of a newly founded school there. This was to him, a perfectly normal request." When I answered that I couldn't do that to my family, R' Freedman responded that I should go for a year by myself. He constantly urged me to spend Yom Tov with Rav Wolfson shrugging off my "excuse" of having to spend Yom Tov with my family. To him, if there was an opportunity for Chizuk or growth you had to say, 'yes'! Last year Purim fell out on Erev Shabbos. Rav Wolfson went with several Talmidim to spend Purim in Eretz Yisael so that they would not have to cut short their Avodas Hayom. Rabbi Freedman went with them. I was astounded. I told everyone I met about it. When he returned I expressed to him my amazement. He shrugged and said, "So what's the big deal?" He did what was necessary and right and wasn't Nispael from anyone or anything."
His Ahavas HaTorah was one of Tamim T'hiyeh Im Hashem - pure childlike innocence. When he visited the new Bais Hamedrash in Lakewood he was so happy and excited that in his exuberance he actually kissed the walls! In the words of his son Rabbi Yaakov, "How many other people have kissed the walls of Lakewood's new edifice?"
Similarly, when he received the freshly printed sefer from Rav Pam, he danced around in his dining room with it. It was Simchas Torah, expressed by joyful dancing.
When he became acquainted with the Mashgiach of Lakewood, he did not hesitate to join in the Va'adim. How many people had such Ahavas HaTorah, and so much Anivus that it was not below their diginity to join a Vaad consisting of Talmidim who could all be his grandchildren? What was an 80 year old octogenarian doing at a Vaad consisting of people so many years his junior, especially at an early hour in the morning or late at night? But that was Rabbi Avrohom Abba!
As part of his streak of focusing on his agenda, he would see things in a way that was different from others. He was not given to the herd complex where one follows blindly what everybody else is doing. As an example, he was not so excited about the new talk regarding the amount of money people spent at weddings. What was more important to him was that the Chasunos should be true, meaningful, experiences for all those in attendance. More important than the amount of money spent, there should be an effort made so that the dancing should not be a hulabaloo of shtick, a cacophony of noisy, wild music. It should be a true Simcha Shel Mitzvah, the deep meaningful joy that comes out of being M'sameach, bring joy to a Chosson and Kallah. Quoting his Rebbe, he would remark, "Dancing at a Chasunah should be like Simchas Torah."
It was his focus on the larger picture that would never allow him to be frustrated and or disappointed. Your writer could argue with him until I was blue in the face, but when Rabbi Avrohom Abba felt something was right, he displayed the spirit of Am K'shei oref - he would stand his ground and once again with great patience and with a twinkle in his eye and a twitch of his brow, respond with "Somehow you must be missing the point" I would leave him with the smug feeling that I was right in my assessment of the situation, that I had shown him the truth and that I could never accept his version of things. Until, of course matters were L'maaseh. He could be impractical and unreasonable, but who at the end of the day could say NO to Reb Avrohom Abba?
Rabbi Salomon the Mashgiach said, "I never saw such an extraordinary person involved in Chinuch. As long as he was conscious he always had the D'mus D' yukno Shel Rabbo - the image of his Rebbe before his eyes. He was always tuned into the words of his Rebbe and acted as if he were listening to his Rebbe. Today, one does not find this type of attachment that the Niftar had to his Rebbe."
Well over half a century ago, when Rabbi Freedman was a student at the Aish Dos Program with his Rebbe in Monsey, the students had a unique way to sing the Shabbos Zmiros. Instead of May'ain Olam Haba, they changed the words to May'ain Avrohom Abba! The wording was a clear Remez, a hint that the life of Rabbi Avrohom Abba was inextricably tried to Olam Haba. His life on this earth was a part of an ongoing Zimra - a paeon of praise to G-d in every aspect of his myriad activities.
When the community in America and Detroit seemed to be established, Rabbi Freedman continued to follow his Rebbe's advice to keep expanding on the assignment "Let us turn our attention to the Russians and do for them what Rabbi Mendlowitz did in America"
Mr. Ginadi Shmulensky, a Russian immigrant who currently has the full appearance of a Ben Torah, spoke at the Detroit hesped. He quoted a Medrash that asks the question, "During the Makas Choshech, the plague of darkness, thousands upon thousands of Reshaim, wicked people died. So what happened when the Jews left Mitzrayim? Who was there to take care of the many Yesomim, the orphans? Answers the Medrash, the Jews who were alive at the time of Yetzias Mitzrayim took the little orphans by the hand and led them to safety. Similarly, Rabbi Freedman was the one who took me with his soft strong hand and led me through the maze of all the difficulties and brought me to the safety of Yiddishkeit. He took me through Krias Yam Suff. He was a real father to me." Is it any wonder that this Russian immigrant took the trouble of accompanying the Aron that went to Eretz Yisrael? Rabbi Freedman was his father in the real sense of the word!
In the 1950's a group of businessmen were inspired to sponsor a donation of 50 bicycles to the Yeshiva Bais Yehuda as prizes. The lesson was never lost on Rabbi Freedman when bicycles appeared on his agenda. How did Rabbi Freedman get Russian childrento perform Bris Milah?
Did you ever hear of a Bris party? Rabbi Freedman contrived a yearly party for all Russian boys on whom the Bris Milah had been performed during the current year. With great pomp and ceremony, each boy was presented with a shining new bike while his father was presented with a boom box. The children would spread the word and soon, having a Bris Milah turned into a badge of honor and a chance for a new bike for other children too.
In Koheles we find Mesukah Shnas Ha'oved, Veha'sova L'ashir Ay'no Ma'niach Lo Li'shon - sweet is the sleep of the worker whether he eats a lot or a little; but when the rich man (the ashir) eats to satisfaction it does not allow him to sleep.
Asks the Medrash Tanchuma, Why can't the rich man sleep when he has eaten his fill, with satisfaction and satiety? The explanation is that the Passuk is talking of the food of Torah. When a great person rich in Torah filled to his capacity passes away, his Talmidim, his pupils, his disciples, and those whom he established do not allow him to sleep. Why? Because when they sit and are occupied with Torah, in Talmud, Halachos, Agados, and thoughts that they heard from the man who enriched them with Torah, they mention his name all the time and they are the cause for his being awake and unable to sleep in his grave. In fact, they cause him to stay awake in a positive way. They activate his lips to respond.
Rabbi Avrohom Abba Freedman Zt"l too, will have no rest in Gan Eden because of the eternal joy that comes from the ongoing Shir HaTorah - the song of Torah that his children, students, and those whom he inspired will sing until the coming of Moshiach, and bring unending joy to his Neshama!
As long as Rabbi Feedman ZT"L was alive the words of his Rebbe, Rav Mendlowitz were being quoted and learned. Thus they were kept alive. It was this mission that inspired Reb Avrohom Abba to toil many years to see to it that his Rebbe be immortalized by the writing and printing of the sefer "Shluchah D'Rachmono." Then it took another number of years before the English version came out. Why the delay? Just as Reb Elchonon Wasserman Zt"l could count the words and discern the differences in the utterances of his Rebbe the Chofetz Chaim, so too did Rabbi Freedman cling tencaciously and reverently to every nuance of his Rebbe's life. Thankfully, he eventually accepted the inevitable and the English version of the book was published with his son relating that he said, "I have no right to have Agmas Nefesh in this matter, and I am happy that the book was printed."
At the Levaya in Yerushalayim, Rabbi Shmuel Mendlowitz, a son of Reb Shrage Feivel Zt"l, said, "When my father was Niftar he forbade that any hespedim be done at his Levaya. For 53 years we did not hear a hesped for my father. But today, through the accolades heaped on Reb Avrohom Abba, the Talmid, we heard for the first time a Hesped for my father Zt"l."
The final hours before Rabbi Avrohom Abba Freedman passed away were entirely consisitant with the pattern that he had lived his long and productive life. On Leil Shabbos, he went to a Shalom Zochor made by an immigrant from Russia where he sang Zmiros and gave the event a true flavor of Simcha. After he had already left he decided to return in order to fulfill the custom of saying Krias Shema at the bedside of the new infant. He returned home, did not feel well and fell. His wife called for an ambulance and he was taken to the hospital. When he rallied somewhat, he said the Viduy (confession) calmly, clearly, and succinctly. He then made a request to his wife that she send $1000.00 to Shuvu. He thanked her, and soon returned his pure Neshomah to his Maker.
What part in Rabbi Avrohom Abba's activities did his wife Mrs. Freedman play? Did the family suffer from the myriad activities in which Rabbi Avrohom Abba took part? No! Rabbi Avrohom Abba was a loving , caring and doting father. When any of his family members was expecting a child, he wanted to know all about it. "Please let me know immediately when labor begins." He wasn't an orator but was always telling people how to speak and what to say; he wasn't a great dancer, but he was always teaching the techniques of dancing as an Avodas Hashem; He wasn't a singer, yet he taught hi children and Talmidim how to sing "Jewishly". Your writer's daughter recalled Rabbi Freedman coming into her 1st Grade class and teaching the Skulener Niguun of Uv'Yom HaShabbos Kodesh Si-Su V'simcha: First he wrote the words on the board, then he made sure the children understood the translation, then he taught them the music.
He was an extremely loving person. As mentioned, he loved every Jew whether he knew him or not. When someone pointed out Rabbi Mayer Schuster at the Kosel, Reb Avrohom Abba ran to him, kissed and hugged him as if he were along lost friend. This in spite of the fact that he had never before seen him Rabbi Schuster.
His decency as a human being and his loyalty to people was always deep and long lasting. For example, he recently flew into New York to be Menachem Avel the Avtzan family when their father passed away, although they had moved from Detroit close to 20-30 years earlier. Similarly he brought comfort to the Isbee family in Yerushalayim when their mother passed away - a Detroit family of over half a century ago.
Chazal tell us that since the Mitzvah of learning is essentially within the province of the husband, the question is, how do women survive without this special Mitzvah?
Rabbi Yaakov Eibschutz, explains the words in Chazal: How are women Zocheh - how do they merit receiving the rewards of Torah since they do not actively study the Torah? The answer is since they wait up for their husbands to come home after their learning and other activities; the women too, have a share in the activities of their husbands. Mrs. Freedman obviously gets the full credit for everything that her husband did! Whether it was running a full time hotel for Orchim, guests, or waiting for her husband's return from his long treks to Russia, Eretz Yisrael, Lakewood, or any other place on the globe, she was always there with him in spirit. She did not merely tolerate or respect him. Rather she always supported and revered him and felt herself to be an integral part of his activities.
An excellent proof that their strong home was based on love, understanding and a deep commitment to Torah and its dissemination is that Bli Ayin Hora all the Freedman children are involved in either building Yeshivos, Rabbanus, or Kiruv. Rabbi Moshe Reuven of Cleveland; Rabbi Yaakov, a head of Shalom Torah Centers in New Jersey, Rabbi Elchonon Bunim, of Oak Park Michigan, Rabbi Tzvi who runs a Yeshiva in St. Louis; Rabbi Bezalel who is in charge of the Michigan region of NCSY; Mrs. Malki Pam and Mrs. Nechama Silver who both live in Toronto and Mrs. Goldie Brodsky married to Rabbi Moshe Brodsky, an administrator in the Shalom Torah Center of New Jersey.
During the hespedim in Yerushalyim, his son, Rabbi Moshe Reuven quoted the seforim that suggest that when a great person passes away everyone should pick up one of the Midos of the Niftar. The Rabbi said, "We all knew the quality of the deeds of my father. However, we did not know the quantity and scope of his activities. Even with each of the 66 grandchildren taking one of his Midos, we still will not have enough to go around."
On the day that the Gaon the Maharsham passed away, he was rather weak and asked for some thing to give him some strength. Wine was brought to him, but he refused to accept it explaining, "I need the few moments to prepare a Drasha, to be said to the Pamalya Shel Ma'ala, the Heavenly Court." We are confident that Rabbi Avrohom Abba Freedman who has been preparing all his life to appear before the Heavenly Court will surely exercise his extraordinary powers of persuasion to ask that Klal Yisroel be relieved from our bitter Tzoros, from the extraordinary amounts of sickness, of the deep anguish we are suffering in Eretz Yisroel, and to bring to us the Geulah Shelaimah, Omain Kayn Yehi Rratzon!
As a matter of personal privilege as the author of the above article I take the liberty of publicly expressing my Hakoras Hatov to Rabbi Freedman for his legendary powers of persuasion to have me come to Detroit where I spent 15 wonderful years.
I have deep Hakoras Hatov to Rebbetzin Temma Freedman and her family who opened their doors when I came to Detroit as a Bachur providing, me with a "home-away-from-home." They simply did not know what to do for me to keep me happy. (They didn't have to try hard. They were experts in being mekarev people!)
If there is any growth of which I can be proud, it must be attributed to my tutelage under Rabbi Avrohom Abba. Basking in the clouds of warmth, sincerity, Yiras Shomayim, Ahavas Yisroel, there was no choice but to constantly go forward by leaps and bounds. Rabbi Freedman was a conduit for Ahavas Yisroel that overflowed to spawn many generations of Roshei Yeshivios, leaders and mechanchim in Klal Yisrael.
The years I spent in Detroit served as the foundation for myself, my family, and ultimately for my children, grandchildren, and all forthcoming Doros to ignite a flame of passion and a sense of mission and unrequited Ahavas HaTorah. Ad Ki Yavo Shilo.