Galitzstein, Hanoch

גליצנשטיין, חנוך

Rabbi Avraham Chanoch Glitzenstein (25 Tevet 5689 - 20 Adar 5775) was a Chassidic author and activist. He served as the secretary of the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Lod and the Torat Emet Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Rabbi Glitzenstein compiled, translated, and published dozens of books in the realm of Chabad Chassidut.

He was born on 25 Tevet 5689 (1929) in Jerusalem to Rabbi Shimon Glitzenstein, who was the secretary of the Torat Emet Yeshiva in Jerusalem and secretary to Chief Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook, and his mother, Esther Eidil.

Between 5705-5710 (1945-1950), he studied at the Torat Emet Yeshiva in Jerusalem and the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Lod. After marrying his wife, Tova Gita, daughter of the Chassid Reb Avraham Pariz, he served as the secretary of the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Lod.

On 20 Kislev 5710 (1950), Rabbi Glitzenstein received a letter from the Rebbe Rayatz emphasizing the importance of order in the institution: “Proper order in the work of the institution is one of the foundations of its existence and success… and maintaining order in the institution greatly depends on the serious work of the secretary.” Fifty days after receiving the letter, on 10 Shevat 5710, the Rebbe Rayatz passed away.

In 5723 (1963), Rabbi Glitzenstein inherited his father's position in managing the Torat Emet Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Later, he also joined the administration of the Beit Chana educational institutions in Jerusalem, a role he held until his passing.

On Yud Shevat HaGadol (5730/1970), he traveled to the Rebbe as the winner of a lottery and received special attention and closeness.

In the early years after the establishment of the Chabad Rabbinical Court, Rabbi Glitzenstein served as its secretary.

Rabbi Glitzenstein passed away on 20 Adar 5775 (2015) at the age of 86 after several months of illness. He was laid to rest at Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem.

Rabbi Glitzenstein was also involved in outreach, particularly among the intellectual circles. He played a role in drawing the author Eliezer Steinman closer to Chassidic teachings.

In addition to his public work, Rabbi Glitzenstein was a talented author. He published over sixty books, some of which he wrote himself, others he translated or compiled on various topics.

The pinnacle of his literary work was the documentation and writing of the biographies of the Chabad Rebbes, from the founder of Chassidut, the Baal Shem Tov, to Rebbe Rayatz. This became the Sefer HaToldot series, consisting of fifteen volumes.

He began writing over fifty years ago, compiling material from the talks and letters of the Chabad Rebbes, translating them into Hebrew, and organizing them by chapters. Each book was sent to the Rebbe for approval before printing and was published by Kehot Publication Society, the official publishing house of Chabad.

In later years, Rabbi Glitzenstein received permission from the Rebbe to compile a new series that included Chassidic stories. This series, called Otzar Sipurei Chabad, contained seventeen volumes, with three more volumes on Rebbe Rashab planned. In the years before his passing, he began working on stories about Rebbe Rayatz.

Shiurim in this topic
3641. It would be worthwhile for articles of appreciation on Chabad literature to be published.
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