Remembering Rabbi Mordechai Pogremanski: 5 Heartfelt Stories

Today, on this day in the Jewish month, marks 75 years since the passing of Rabbi Mordechai Pogremanski, who survived the Holocaust and left no children. Known for his brilliance and fear of Hashem, he was a significant figure in the Lithuanian yeshivot and a rosh yeshiva in various institutions in Latvia and Belgium. After World War II, he played a pivotal role in restoring Torah study in France. Though his life was cut short, his legacy lives on through stories that capture his pure spirit.

1. How to Lift the Spirits of Despairing Students

Rabbi Israel Eliyahu Weintraub shared: "In the Kovno ghetto, Rabbi Mordechai wandered, deep in thought, when he saw two students from the Slabodka Yeshiva by the fence, their faces showing they had lost hope amidst suffering and daily increasing troubles.

Rabbi Mordechai approached them and asked, 'What should one think about right now?' They looked at him with puzzled eyes as if to say, 'Can anyone even think right now?'

Yet Rabbi Mordechai continued as if ignoring their despair, 'I have two simple assumptions: firstly, that every German Nazi soldier hates Jews to the core of his being, and secondly, that a soldier who kills a Jew without an officer's order will face no repercussions... Do you agree?' – 'Yes,' they answered bleakly.

'If so," exclaimed Rabbi Mordechai, "then explain to me why this guard, standing just a few meters away, is not shooting you right now? To him, it would be like a game. Why, then, is he not shooting???' Rabbi Mordechai wondered.

'You must admit that even here in this valley of shadows, His Majesty has sway, and His Providence governs every detail. He alone prevents this soldier from killing you this moment.' A small light flickered in their eyes.

2. Deep in Study, He Misses the Stop

On the eve of Shabbat, Rabbi Mordechai Pogremanski and his companion, Rabbi Yitzchak, a scholar and mohel, were engrossed in learning on a train. They glanced occasionally out the window to check if they had reached their destination, but soon were so absorbed that they forgot all around them.

The train continued, stopping at stations, passengers boarded and disembarked, but the two were unaware. Suddenly they realized they missed their stop and hurriedly left the train at a remote town. Surrounded by non-Jews, they didn't know where they would spend Shabbat, how they would pray, or where they would eat.

They wandered the streets, asking people until they heard of a lone Jewish resident. As they went to his house, Rabbi Mordechai remarked, 'Know that a Jew is never lost. Every place a Jew arrives is by Hashem's providence.'

Upon arrival, the homeowner was waiting outside expectantly. Seeing them, his face lit up with joy and tears.

'I was sure you would come,' he said, tears streaming down his face.

To their surprise, he explained: 'Last week, my son was born. Today is the eighth day. I prayed to Hashem to send me a mohel. When I saw you, I was sure my prayer was answered. One of you must be the mohel...'

The circumcision took place on time. Rabbi Yitzchak served as the mohel, and Rabbi Pogremanski was the sandak...

3. 'Pray I Arrive in the Next World Pure and Clean'

Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch recounted how, in his youth, he visited his teacher, Rabbi Mordechai, who suffered greatly on his deathbed. Rabbi Mordechai asked him, 'Moshe'le, pray for me,' and when asked what to pray for, replied, 'Pray that I receive all my punishment in this world so I can enter the next world pure and clean.'

Days later, Rabbi Moshe returned and Rabbi Mordechai asked if he had prayed yet. Rabbi Moshe answered: 'No, I only wish good for you, Rabbi; I cannot wish for more suffering.' Rabbi Mordechai responded, 'Moshe'le, I too want nothing but good. But what is true good? To enter the World of Truth, pure and clean, is so good! Please pray I receive everything here and arrive there clean.'

4. Humble Conversations with Children

Rabbi Mordechai advanced in Torah and awe of Hashem, known as a great illui. Therefore, people honored him like royalty. In his immense humility, he never sought such honor. His humility was so profound that when speaking to children, he addressed them with respect: 'What do you say?'...

Rabbi Mordechai often said, 'To suffer with another's sorrow is human, but to rejoice in another's joy – that requires being an angel.'

5. 'In Times of Trouble, Feel the Divine Proximity'

Rabbi Mordechai explained Psalm 23: 'A Psalm of David. Hashem is my shepherd; I shall not lack.' He pointed out that while describing tranquility, King David refers to Hashem in the third person: 'He makes me lie down,' 'He leads me.' But in the 'valley of the shadow of death,' the tone shifts to direct address: 'You are with me.'

Rabbi Mordechai explained: 'The message is that when in distress, with the shadow of death looming, a person feels Hashem's closeness far more intensely and powerfully than in times of peace and serenity. Recognizing Hashem's hand in the depth of trouble binds one to Him unwaveringly, trusting that destiny lies only in His hands.' These words were shared by Rabbi Mordechai, when he was bedridden, with his student Rabbi Ephraim Eisenberg.

Rabbi Mordechai (son of Elijah) passed away on 25th of Shevat, 5710 (1950) at the age of 47, left no children. Please recite Psalms for the elevation of his pure soul.

Chapter 49