Hecht, Shlomo Zalman — Shliach in Chicago

הכט, שלמה זלמן

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht (1917–1979) — Shliach in Chicago

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hecht (17 Shevat 5677 – 24 Menachem Av 5739) was born in 1917 to Rabbi Yehoshua (Shea) Hecht, one of the early Chabad chassidim in the United States, and was the eldest of six brothers — Moshe Yitzchak, Avraham Dov, Yaakov Yehuda, Peretz and Shalom — all of whom became prominent Lubavitcher chassidim and communal leaders. While studying at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas he became close, with his brother Avraham Dov, to Rabbi Yisroel Jacobson, who taught Tanya to a group of students called "Achei Temimim"; he later married Rabbi Jacobson's eldest daughter. He then traveled to study at Tomchei Temimim in Otwock, Poland, returning to the United States with the Previous Rebbe's blessing when World War II broke out in 1939.

Back in America he helped transfer the Previous Rebbe's library from Europe; the manuscripts were registered in the names of Rabbi Jacobson and Rabbi Hecht, which later became important evidence in the court case over the library's ownership. In 5703 (1943) the Previous Rebbe sent him to Chicago, where he served as rabbi of the community for nearly forty years. He was known for outreach to Jews of every background, for popular radio programs in Yiddish and English, and as a warm, sought-after speaker. He passed away on Erev Shabbos Parshas Re'eh, 24 Menachem Av 5739 (1979); the Rebbe attended the burial, a rare occurrence.

What the letters show

Building Chabad in Chicago. The letters show the Rebbe guiding him in communal work: organizing and reporting on activities and supporting Chabad institutions (IK 468), persisting in collecting pledges despite delays (IK 1910), and encouraging communal study and dissemination of the Previous Rebbe's Purim maamar and sichah (IK 2045). The Rebbe urged him to use every encounter — including meeting students from Chicago — to inspire others toward chassidic vitality in Torah and mitzvos (IK 2386), and taught that repeated encouragement is what brings real change in a community (IK 2545).

Nshei U'Bnos Chabad. On who may join Nshei U'Bnos Chabad, the Rebbe wrote that membership is open to all women seeking spiritual growth, not only those already fully observant (IK 1914).

Farbrengens and chinuch. He wrote that full participation in a farbrengen involves both physical presence and inner engagement (IK 1959), and that true Jewish nachas comes from connecting children with Torah values (IK 1916). Further letters to Rabbi Hecht appear at IK 1026, 1038, 1114, 1456, 1826, 2516, 3384, 3930, 4985, 6479, 6985 and 7880.

Sources: Chabadpedia; Chabad.org ("Personal advice to a chassid"); and the Rebbe's letters cited above.

Shiurim in this topic

1026. Urgency of Daily Tefillin for Protection and Long Life דחיפות הנחת תפילין יומיומית, הגנה ואריכות ימים

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1038. Tefillin, Shabbat, and Healing After Injury תפילין, שבת, ורפואה לאחר פציעה

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1114. Personal Participation, Financial Gifts, and Overcoming Limitations השתתפות אישית, מתנות כספיות, והתגברות על הגבלות

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1456. Support for Education Work in North Africa and Its Impact תמיכה בעבודת חינוך בצפון אפריקה והשפעתה

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1826. Having the leader begin Vayedaber and Hodu aloud so all will say them שיתחיל העובר לפני התיבה באמירת וידבר גו' למנחה בכל יום, ובעש"ק באמירת הודו ופתח אלי

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