Ruthi Atias: 'Two Days Before He Passed, Rabbi Kanievsky Saw the Book I Authored and Said Three Words'

About a year ago, Ruthi Atias woke up one day and asked herself when exactly it would be ten years since the passing of Rebbetzin Kanievsky. Discovering the date was near, she felt compelled to act. About a decade prior, she had the honor to publish the book 'Third in the Watch,' based on stories the Rebbetzin had shared with her personally. Now, the decision blossomed in her heart to release another book, hoping it would be ready by the anniversary of the Rebbetzin's passing during Sukkot. Yet, delays arose unexpectedly. 'Every delay is for the good,' she understood, though she could never have imagined how true this was. Time passed, and just two days before Purim, a printed copy of the new book was finally placed on the Rabbi's desk. He reviewed it and said, 'A very beautiful book.' Two days later, he ascended to the heavenly realms.

The Melody from 'Lederman'

"We lived next to the 'Lederman' synagogue, and the view was of people coming to and from prayer," begins Ruthi in the interview. "From our home's windows, we heard the sounds of Kaddish and Kedusha, Amen and Barechu - a melody that accompanied us all day. At that time, I couldn't appreciate it, but now I know how deeply those scenes were ingrained within us. This is where my personal connection to the synagogue and prayer began, igniting a yearning for connection with Hashem."

She remembers the Rebbetzin as a figure overflowing with love. "Whenever she left the synagogue to go home, she would pass by us, the neighborhood girls, saying a kind word. Sometimes she added a small candy, but always there was her radiant face. Once, on the day of her daughter's wedding, she kindly asked us: 'Well, are you coming to the chuppah?' adding 'Children come only to the chuppah, not to the dancing.' I remember how we all ran to our mothers, saying Rebbetzin Bat Sheva invited us and asked them to dress us nicely for the occasion. Of course, at home we were told we wouldn't attend, but to the Rebbetzin, it was clear she was sharing her joy with all of Israel."  

Years later, when Ruthi went through a medical process, her family entered the holy place to receive blessings. "The Rebbetzin advised me to take on the mitzvah of challah, and with Hashem's help, everything would be fine," she recalls. "That very week, my mother brought dough to the hospital, and we saw miracles. Since then, I haven't passed a week without taking challah, and truly witness special blessings along the way. The Rebbetzin would say the Divine Presence rests during this time, and it's a time to pray for righteous children."

Alone in the Synagogue

Several more years passed before the day Ruthi felt she needed to return and breathe the elevated air she grew up with. "About 12 years ago, I felt the need to pause life's race," she recalls. "Something inside me wanted a deeper spiritual connection. So I decided to attend sunrise prayers every Tuesday. I prepared for this like a military operation, setting my alarm for four-thirty in the morning. When the time came, I set out, thinking I'd be the only one in the synagogue, alongside the Rebbetzin."

Upon her arrival, she was surprised. "It was bustling, over 100 women came to join her in prayer. Over time, I discovered most of them were early risers not just once a week, like me. After services, a long queue formed, with women approaching the Rebbetzin, each with her own request. I watched how she listened, calmed them with stories, and those surrounding her were attentive to every word she uttered. I too stood there, listening with wonder to one story after another. Something inside me said, 'This needs to be written down, this treasure must be preserved.'"

The Window Through Which the Rebbetzin Looked at the Synagogue

The following week, Ruthi already arrived prepared with a notebook and pen, sitting down after prayers to record the stories she heard. The Rebbetzin, taking this seriously, started preparing a new story for her each week.

Thus, the pile of stories grew, waiting for the right moment. "About 10 years ago, during Rosh Hashanah's eve, the Rebbetzin told her grandchildren stories of miracles achieved through prayers and blessings of the holy holiday. Present was her son-in-law, who asked, 'Mother, is anyone recording all these special stories?' The Rebbetzin replied that I was coming and writing them down every Tuesday after prayers. During the festival, I met her daughter, who wondered what I intended to do with this collection. I felt it was a heavenly sign to publish them. I asked the Rebbetzin, who told me 'soon.' Two weeks later, her pure soul ascended to the heavenly realms. The stories she recounted were compiled into the book 'Third in the Watch,' after she personally reviewed each one."

The Only Thing That Helps

Another decade passed, and in a moment of heavenly inspiration, Ruthi realized she had to create another book. "When I asked in the Rabbi's house what subject to address in the book, they pointed towards prayer," she says. "I was personally thrilled, as the topic was very dear to my heart. Every time we went to the Rabbi to ask something or seek a blessing, his response was, 'Pray.' Even for people who came all the way from abroad to tell him about their troubles and ask for advice, he would answer, 'Pray.' Some wanted to take on other commitments, thinking they might be 'more special,' but he would say 'Prayer is the hardest.' Sometimes a person thinks, 'Am I not praying?' but it's possible they're skipping words, not paying attention, and it requires more effort. On another occasion, we heard him say, 'Prayer is not the thing that helps the most, it's the only thing that helps.'"

So, over half a year, Ruthi gathered stories about the Rabbi and Rebbetzin's devotion to prayer and their closeness to Hashem. "The Rabbi's daughters and daughters-in-law greatly encouraged me and helped me listen to experiences recalled by the family concerning this topic. For instance, they shared that after the children grew up, the Rebbetzin would pray all three daily prayers at the synagogue. Only on the eve of Shabbat, due to the numerous preparations, would she pray at home, listening to the cantor's repetition from her window. But even in the height of work, among dozens of kugels and hundreds of fish patties she prepared and distributed to people, she would pause, change into clean clothes, and stand to pray. Since then, sometimes when I see my clothes dirty with flour and dough from Shabbat eve baking, I think about her and admire her dedication to present herself before the King in such a manner." 

The Rabbi Reviewing the Book

The love for prayer was palpable even with the esteemed Rabbi. "Rabbi Chaim would always pray at the first opportunity," Ruthi continues. "His family told me that as children, they heard him say more than once, 'We can now pray Mincha,' 'We can now pray Maariv.' And as soon as the time arrived, joy would be evident on his face. With his children, the Rabbi emphasized the importance of prayer from a young age. Whenever they asked him for something, he first inquired, 'Have you prayed already?' Only if the answer was positive would he attend to their request. One of his daughters also shared that a few years ago, he was unwell and couldn't attend the synagogue for prayers. During that time, he would wake up every morning, join the first sunrise minyan from his window, and return to sleep. His daughter once asked him if he might join a later minyan instead. 'Father didn't understand the question, how could you continue sleeping when you can already pray?' she told me. This profound and unique connection to prayer has been passed down the generations of the family; today, they all know to say, 'It's not the aspirin that helps, prayer helps.'" 

My Voice in the Watch

The book 'My Voice in the Watch,' recounting the prayer practices of the Rabbi and Rebbetzin, was published just weeks ago. "It opens with an article by the Rabbi from his book 'Paths of Integrity' about the virtue of prayer, followed by many stories, each like a shining pearl," says Ruthi. "Interwoven are words of wisdom from the Rabbi and Rebbetzin, as well as other notable persons, on the topic. And in conclusion, authentic photos from the family's life, and from the Rabbi's funeral, adorn it throughout."

What lesson do you take from all these stories? 

"Firstly, the importance of praying calmly, when there's still time. We may not be at the level of the Rabbi and Rebbetzin, who seized every chance to pray at the first possible moment, but we certainly don't need to postpone it until the last minute. Regarding preparation for prayer - even if I don't change all my clothes for it, I now understand how important it is to at least be mindful of my appearance before standing in front of the King. Additionally, I learned from the Rebbetzin the significance of heartfelt prayer, the kind spoken in our own words. The mere act of turning to Hashem, whenever we want, draws us closer to Him. 'Everything is a free gift; we only need to speak with Him,' she would say. Her daughter, Rebbetzin Kolodetsky, told me in the name of the Steipler that merely praying from a siddur, even without full intent, is already a lot. Just thinking of Hashem draws us nearer to Him. Lastly, whenever someone shared with the Rebbetzin a miracle that occurred, she would say, 'You see, prayer helps.'" 

To purchase the book "My Voice in the Watch" from Hidabroot Shops, click here.