ח׳ תשרי ה׳תקנ״ב - יארצייט של ר׳ ברוך, אביו של אדמו״ר הזקן

1. Yahrtzeit of Reb Baruch, Father of the Alter Rebbe

The 8th day of Tishrei, Ches Tishrei—marks the yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of Reb Baruch, the father of the Alter Rebbe, Reb Schneur Zalman. His yahrtzeit occurred in the year Tof Kuf Nun Bez, which is 1752, making it over two centuries ago. This date is noted in the annals of Yemei Chabad—the significant days in Chabad history.

2. The Life and Character of Reb Baruch

Details about Reb Baruch’s life are found in the memoirs (Zichronos) of the Previous Rebbe. The Previous Rebbe describes Reb Baruch as one of the hidden tzaddikim—righteous individuals whose true spiritual stature was concealed from public view. Outwardly, he appeared to be a simple villager, but in reality he was a great scholar and performed much charitable work with genuine humility and simplicity.

3. Reb Baruch’s Final Years and Departure from Liozna

In his later years, Reb Baruch lived in Liozna, where his son, the Alter Rebbe, also resided. However, he was uncomfortable with the honor his son showed him—the Alter Rebbe would stand up for him and treat him with great respect. Reb Baruch argued that it was not fitting for someone through whom the Divine spoke to stand up for him. To avoid this situation, he left Liozna and began traveling from city to city.

4. Arrival in Sulis and Miraculous Blessing

Wherever Reb Baruch traveled, people quickly recognized that he was not an ordinary person despite his attempts to appear simple. He was always invited to meals and cared for by others. Eventually, he arrived in Sulis (in Hungary), where a wealthy man who produced vodka hosted him. On the day Reb Baruch stayed with him, this man experienced unusual business success and attributed it to his guest’s merit. He asked Reb Baruch to remain as a permanent guest in his home, an offer which Reb Baruch accepted.

5. Passing and Burial Arrangements in Sulis

Reb Baruch lived several years in Sulis under the care of this benefactor. When he sensed his end approaching, prominent townspeople gathered around him and asked about his family so they could notify them after his passing. He told them he had four sons in Russia who were all rabbis: two should be directly informed; one should only be hinted to; and the fourth (referring to the Alter Rebbe) did not need notification at all because he would know on his own. After his passing, Reb Baruch was buried with great honor in Sulis. The Khevra Kadisha—the burial society—placed a monument on his grave.

6. The Alter Rebbe’s Response and Din Torah

Upon learning of his father’s passing, the Alter Rebbe sent an agent to Hungary with a large sum of money: part as payment for the wealthy man who had supported his father and part for the Khevra Kadisha, including funds for erecting a proper monument (matzevah). Both parties initially refused to accept any payment out of respect for their guest and their own sense of duty. However, the agent insisted that they accept it because otherwise the Alter Rebbe would be very upset. They brought their case before a Jewish court (din Torah). The ruling was that while the Khevra Kadisha must accept payment for their services regarding burial arrangements and monument, there was no obligation for the wealthy host to accept compensation for supporting Reb Baruch during those years.

7. Location and Legacy of Sulis/Vinogradov

The city known as Sulis at that time is today called Vinogradov and is located in Ukraine near the Hungarian border—a region whose national boundaries have shifted over time between Hungary and Ukraine. In recent years, efforts have been made to restore Reb Baruch’s gravesite: a tent (ohel) has been erected over it as is customary at gravesites of tzaddikim. This story is recounted from talks by descendants of the Alter Rebbe and remains an important chapter in Chabad history.