His command of Russian is impressive. Maybe someone from the family can write his short biography. Instead of that caricature in the linked article. Because as the time goes by, people remember less and less.
I can't think of Rayatz appealing with such passion on behalf of Russian Jews (Ramash was as far from this as moon from earth then, even geographically in the same Paris). But here is Zalman as Don Quixote, but all he says is very accurate, even on the role of Zionism. And Israel being the only chance for Russian Jews (this remained true for about 50-60 years).
If you assume there were only two frum male Schneersons left in Russia (out of thousands Alter Rebbe einiklach) of that cursed generation, the level of acculturation or cultural awareness for both men is astonishing. But MMS would never write or speak in Russian like that. Between us, I do not believe MMS could write like that in any language, that's why he had work for Uriel Zimmer, Mangel, etc. I don't mean lomdisher writing but the flow, the idioms in SZS text.
If what is written above, in the first comment, is true, then he owes his very survival to this writing skill. One can say that out of hundreds if not thousands chassidim, only one escaped because he could write beautifully. Which actually flies in the face of the family mythology that he dramatically rejected secular education. He was a natural writer, too bad he never has a chance to flourish this skill.
Moreover, worth noting that Reb Zalman had a perfect judgment of the situation in Israel, Russia, etc. Although he could not foresee that things would get mush worse rapidly. Both in Russia and Europe. But he sounded the alarm! In a way, he was ahead of his time in seeing things clearly. Of course living inside Russia, opens your eyes.
He wrote an equally or even more persuasive letter to the president of Russia and wangled an exit visa.
His command of Russian is impressive. Maybe someone from the family can write his short biography. Instead of that caricature in the linked article. Because as the time goes by, people remember less and less.
I can't think of Rayatz appealing with such passion on behalf of Russian Jews (Ramash was as far from this as moon from earth then, even geographically in the same Paris). But here is Zalman as Don Quixote, but all he says is very accurate, even on the role of Zionism. And Israel being the only chance for Russian Jews (this remained true for about 50-60 years).
If you assume there were only two frum male Schneersons left in Russia (out of thousands Alter Rebbe einiklach) of that cursed generation, the level of acculturation or cultural awareness for both men is astonishing. But MMS would never write or speak in Russian like that. Between us, I do not believe MMS could write like that in any language, that's why he had work for Uriel Zimmer, Mangel, etc. I don't mean lomdisher writing but the flow, the idioms in SZS text.
If what is written above, in the first comment, is true, then he owes his very survival to this writing skill. One can say that out of hundreds if not thousands chassidim, only one escaped because he could write beautifully. Which actually flies in the face of the family mythology that he dramatically rejected secular education. He was a natural writer, too bad he never has a chance to flourish this skill.
Moreover, worth noting that Reb Zalman had a perfect judgment of the situation in Israel, Russia, etc. Although he could not foresee that things would get mush worse rapidly. Both in Russia and Europe. But he sounded the alarm! In a way, he was ahead of his time in seeing things clearly. Of course living inside Russia, opens your eyes.
If it was so easy to get a visa from Kalinin I wish to know one name besides ZS.
R Zishe Twerski, Chernobil Bnei Brak