1. The Historical Context of Chof-Alef Elul 5699
The 21st day of Elul, Chof-Alef Elul, in the year 5699 (1939), marks a significant and somber moment in Chabad history. It came with the outbreak of World War II, when the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, was forced to leave Otwock, Poland, because of the advancing German forces, yemach shemam—may their name be erased. The Rebbe's departure from Otwock was not just a personal journey but a pivotal event for the entire Chabad movement in those turbulent times.
2. The Rebbe's Departure from Otwock
On this day, Tuesday, the 21st of Elul, at three in the afternoon, the Previous Rebbe left Otwock, where he had lived for four years. Many residents of Otwock gathered to bid farewell and receive his blessing. The atmosphere was heavy with emotion; the Rebbe felt deep pain and bitterness at having to leave his community under such dire circumstances. Before departing he addressed those assembled with words of encouragement: "Be well, accept upon yourselves the yoke of the Heavenly Kingdom (ol malchus shamayim), and remember that G-d guards His servants. We are all children of Hashem—G-d will protect you wherever you may be." The Rebbe wept as he left Otwock.
3. The Dangerous Journey to Warsaw
As the Rebbe and his family traveled toward Warsaw on their way to Riga, Latvia, their convoy came under German bombardment. All the travelers abandoned their vehicles and sought shelter by the roadside. Despite the danger, the Previous Rebbe reassured his family that they had nothing to fear, because his father, the Rebbe Rashab, was "working for us now"—protecting them from above. This faith sustained them through those perilous moments.
4. Stranded in Warsaw and Miraculous Deliverance
On arriving in Warsaw, it became clear that travel onward to Riga was impossible because of the war. The Rebbe was forced to remain in Warsaw for about three and a half months—from Elul until the second day of Teves. These were terrifying days at the onset of the war, as the Rebbe described elsewhere. Eventually, through a series of miraculous events involving international diplomacy and covert operations—including the intervention of American officials and of Major Ernst Bloch, a decorated First World War veteran of partly Jewish descent then serving as an officer in the Wehrmacht—the Rebbe was able to escape.
5. The Role of International Intervention
At that time America had not yet entered World War II and remained neutral, and the Germans were still trying to maintain diplomatic relations with it. Under pressure from Washington, the American consul in Poland received instructions to extract Rabbi Schneersohn and send him safely to Riga. When the agents arrived searching for "Rabbi Schneersohn," local Jews denied his presence out of fear for his safety—not realizing these were rescuers sent on his behalf.
6. Escape Through Berlin and Arrival in Riga
To reach Latvia safely, the Rebbe's party had to travel from Warsaw through Berlin—right into enemy territory—before continuing on to Riga. With official documents presented by their escort, a serving German officer, they passed through numerous checkpoints despite being stopped many times by Gestapo officers and soldiers who took them for captives. Miraculously, they reached Berlin unharmed and continued on to Riga.
7. Aftermath: Further Exile and Preservation of the Chabad Legacy
Although Latvia itself would later fall under Nazi occupation, at this stage it served as a temporary refuge for the Previous Rebbe before his emigration to America in 1940. Hashem's kindness enabled not only his survival but that of much of the Chabad leadership and community in this era. Many historical documents have since come to light detailing these events—including accounts of the books lost during these travels, which later became the subject of legal battles over their return.
8. Reflection on Chof-Alef Elul: A Day of Salvation
Though at first a sad day because of its upheaval and danger, Chof-Alef Elul is ultimately remembered as a day of deliverance for chassidim worldwide. It marks not only an escape from physical peril but the Divine mercy that allowed for continuity and renewal in Chabad life in the generations that followed—a merit we continue to benefit from today.
Notes
The Previous Rebbe's rescue and arrival – see 24 Adar I 5700 – leaving Latvia and 9 Adar II 5700 – arriving in the United States.
The family members left behind – his daughter Rebbetzin Sheina and her husband could not leave with him. See 25 Cheshvan and 2 Tishrei.
The books – the library left behind in Europe was the subject of the later case over the Previous Rebbe's books. See 5 Teves – Didan Natzach.
The Rebbe Rashab – his father. See 20 Cheshvan – his birthday.