Chapter 76: Who Is Chaim Shimon the Brave

00:01 Today we’ll hear the story of Chaim Shimon, the young man who came to Lubavitch and, to a large extent, changed the atmosphere in the town. Who was Chaim Shimon, known as “the Brave”? Chaim Shimon came from a respected family. His father was a great scholar and one of the leaders of the community, and his mother was known for her generosity and for helping others. From early childhood, Chaim Shimon was gifted in every area. He was energetic, capable, eager to help, and outstanding in his studies. The very fact that he had been accepted at a young age as a pupil of Gedaliah Zalman the teacher earned him respect and esteem in the town. Everyone knew that Gedaliah Zalman would not accept a pupil unless he was proficient in at least one of the three Bavas—that is, the tractates Bava Kama, Bava Metzia, and Bava Basra. Chaim Shimon also had fine character traits, was G-d-fearing, and was diligent in his studies. Gedaliah Zalman himself was unlike other teachers. He never held a strap in his hand, never lost his temper, and never raised his voice. He expected the same conduct from his pupils. When he noticed one of them raising his voice, he would say that the animal within him had overcome the person within him. His pupils were very fond of him, and the greatest punishment for them was for him to turn his face away from one of them. Chaim Shimon possessed all the fine qualities that Gedaliah Zalman had instilled in him. At the same time, he made his own way. From early childhood, for example, he took an interest in communal affairs and followed everything that happened in the life of the community. Chaim Shimon and his family lived in Liozna. When the Jews of Liozna suffered at the hands of one of the landowners, a grandson of General Sheremetev, who had led the Russian regiments that captured Vitebsk, Chaim Shimon took a keen interest in the matter and made an effort to keep up with every development. This was especially true when the landowner, whose name was Nikolayev, began making false accusations against the Jews with the help of a man named Kozitsky. Kozitsky

03:10 surpassed even Nikolayev in his hatred of Jews. In the middle of Shvat 5497, a Christian child disappeared in a village not far from Liozna. Nikolayev, the enemy of the Jews, and Kozitsky seized the opportunity to spread the accusation that the Jews had abducted the child and slaughtered him to use his blood for Pesach. The Jews of Liozna were gripped by fear. A meeting of the community leaders was called to discuss what to do. Young Chaim Shimon, who had long been devising various ways to save the Jews from the blood libel, badly wanted to attend the meeting and hear their discussions. But he knew very well that they would not let him in, so he slipped into the community room beforehand and hid behind the stove. The meeting went on for many hours, with various suggestions and ideas put forward. The mood was bleak. Some said they should try to win Nikolayev over with a bribe. Others said they should bribe the authorities, but people were afraid of the governor, who was known to be impossible to bribe. On the other hand, he was known not to be particularly fond of Jews. They had also learned that during the coming week Nikolayev would appear before the governor and several city leaders and lay out his evidence that the Jews were responsible for the missing child’s death. This news filled the assembled community leaders with fear. They decided, first of all, to declare a fast, and then to seek ways to prevent the impending disaster. From his hiding place behind the stove, Chaim Shimon decided to act on his own. His first step was to befriend a clerk at the city office. In this way, he learned that Nikolayev was due to appear before the city leaders the following Friday evening. That time had been chosen specifically because the Jews would be at home, and Nikolayev did not want them interfering with his plans. Chaim Shimon also learned that, besides

05:56 the governor, four city leaders would take part in the hearing. His inquiries revealed that one of the four was believed to be a friend of the Jews, another hated Jews, and the other two were neither friends nor enemies of the Jews. That Friday and the evening that followed, a snowstorm raged through Liozna. The storm grew even stronger at night. When the Friday-night meal at home was over, Chaim Shimon rose from the table and announced that he had to go to a friend’s house. He added that he might spend the night there. His parents accepted what he said, never imagining that Chaim Shimon was preparing to carry out a secret mission. Despite the storm, Chaim Shimon set out with firm, determined steps. When he reached the city office, he found that the clerk he knew was not there, and the doorkeeper refused to let him in. Chaim Shimon insisted that he had important things to tell those gathered inside, but to no avail. When he kept pleading, the doorkeeper grabbed him by the collar and pushed him away. Chaim Shimon did not give up. Noticing lights in the windows, he went over to one and looked in. He saw that this was the room where the meeting had gathered to hear Nikolayev, the enemy of the Jews. Chaim Shimon began calling out and begging them to let him in, saying he was freezing. His pleading voice was heard inside, and the governor called the doorkeeper and ordered him to bring in the person standing outside the window. A few minutes later, the city leaders of Liozna saw before them a handsome young man whose eyes expressed conviction and resolve. He made a good impression on them—all except Nikolayev and Kozitsky, who glared at him. They were furious that a young Jew had burst into the office just as they were about to make their accusations against the Jews. “There you have another display of Jewish insolence!” Nikolayev cried, unable to contain his anger. Chaim Shimon said nothing. He merely gave Nikolayev a

08:39 piercing look that struck him like the thrust of a sword, until he was forced to lower his eyes. Meanwhile, the priest, who was also among those present, saw fit to say a few kind words about Jews in general and Chaim Shimon in particular, cunningly hoping to use the opportunity to catch a Jewish soul in his net. “After all,” the priest said, as though replying to Nikolayev, “Jews should not be dismissed or harmed. They are clever and capable, and could easily adopt our faith and become loyal Catholics.” Chaim Shimon saw his chance to speak. “Above all,” he said, “Jews love the truth. When they become convinced that something is true, they accept it regardless of who says it. They are even prepared to give their lives for the truth, and they expect others to act the same way.” “Accursed Jew!” Nikolayev shouted furiously, sensing that the young man’s arrival was closely connected to his wicked plans against the Jews. The governor silenced Nikolayev and turned to Chaim Shimon. “Why have you come here?” he asked. His friendly tone encouraged Chaim Shimon. “I came to tell you, who have gathered here to uncover the truth, what I heard this man say this morning”—he pointed to Kozitsky—“to that man”—he pointed to Nikolayev. “And I will tell you Nikolayev’s reply as well.” Everyone sat open-mouthed, watching Chaim Shimon in astonishment. The young Jew explained that ever since Nikolayev and Kozitsky had begun spreading the blood libel against the Jews, he had taken it upon himself to follow them and listen to their conversations.