Reb Asher never understood what happened that night. Who was that warden? Why had he mentioned the number of candles? Was he a fellow Jew who was drawn to the sight of a menorah?
Reb Asher Sossonkin, a devoted Lubavitcher chassid, was sentenced to ten years’ in a Siberian labor camp for being a Jew and wanting to live like one. Cut off from the outside world, in the harshest conditions, he and other “political” prisoners lived together with criminals who were fearsome.
Although imprisoned, Reb Asher continued his observance of Shabbat and became an influence on Nachman Rozman, another Jewish prisoner. Nachman was born into a traditional family, but at an early age abandoned Judaism and became a staunch communist.
Encouraged by Reb Asher, he began to staunchly observe the Shabbat using ruses which were sometimes successful, but often not. This totally assimilated Jew found strength of character to maintain his beliefs by daily seeking Reb Asher to discuss the Torah and learn how to perform mitzvahs. He longed to learn to pray from a real prayerbook; therefore Reb Asher transcribed Hebrew prayers phonetically into Russian for him. The two friends found joy in observing the Torah together.
As Hanukkah approached, Reb Asher told Rozman the story of the festival, knowing it was against prison regulations. However, the two committed Jewish friends were determined to celebrate with enthusiasm and gratitude for their faith in Judaism. They struggled with how to construct a menorah since their plans for celebration had to be kept secret.
However, when Hanukkah arrived, the shining tin menorah was completed. They set it up in a small room adjacent to their barracks and lit it each night, reciting the blessings in front of Jews and gentiles alike. All seemed to bask in its light and take courage from the Hanukkah story, which Reb Asher would tell every night.
During roll call on the fifth night, as the warden came to Reb Asher’s name, he paused, stared at the lights of the menorah and called out, “P’yat?” (Five?) Reb Asher replied in a loud voice,” P’yat!” The warden moved on as if nothing had happened.
No one could conceive how two obviously Jewish men had lit a menorah for five nights of Hanukkah, and now, when they were discovered, nothing happened! This was truly a Hanukkah miracle! The prisoners were shocked. Not only had Reb Asher lit a prohibited fire, but to compound the crime, it was a “religious” fire.
To think that this scenario was being played out in the grim setting of a Soviet labor camp is almost unbelievable, and yet it happened. Just think, one Jewish prisoner who for the sake of his beliefs would be in Russian captivity for ten years at hard labor, yet he chose to follow the Torah. Persecuted, yet he stood firm. Not only for himself, but for those in prison with him who held similar beliefs.
The mockery and persecution which two Jewish friends in prison faced together is still being played out in the lives of God’s people daily. Our prayers should be for the peace and protection of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
In Deuteronomy 28:2 the Lord tells us “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.” He will surely bless those who pray and support Israel-“the homeland of His people.”
Other stories and more on this article can be found in Chabad.
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