BD’H: Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Secretary Passes Away From Coronavirus

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NEW YORK (VINnews) — Chabad Chasidim worldwide were plunged into mourning with the passing of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Gruner, who served as the personal secretary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe for over four decades. Rabbi Gruner (88) died of the coronavirus.

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Rabbi Gruner was born on the 7th of Iyar 1931 to a family descended from Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of the Chabad dynasty. His parents were Avraham Yeshaya and Menucha Rachel Gruner.

His close personal relationship with the Rebbe started even during the period of the previous rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak. The Rebbe, then known as Rav Menachem Mendel Scheersohn, participated in his Bar Mitzvah celebration and spoke there for 20 minutes. In 1949, the Rebbe asked Rabbi Gruner to join his staff as an assistant. He served the Rebbe faithfully for the rest of his life, and the Rebbe nicknamed him “my general.” When the Rebbe suffered a stroke towards the end of his life, Rabbi Gruner assisted in taking care of him.

After the Rebbe passed away, Rabbi Gruner did not fulfill any official role but continued to be a beloved mentor and role model for all of Chabad Chasidim. Rabbi Gruner used to travel around the world and speak about his experiences with the Rebbe, the lessons he learnt from the Rebbe’s Torah teachings and how people can live better lives through Torah and Chasidus.

Rabbi Gruner is survived by his wife and seven children, some of whom serve as Shluchim (emissaries) in the US and Israel.

The funeral will pass by 770 at 9:30 A.M on its way to Crown Heights.

May his memory be blessed.


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4 Comments
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עד מתי?
עד מתי?
3 years ago

Oy, R. Groner worked so hard for the revelation of the Rebbe as Moshiach!

עד מתי
??

J
J
3 years ago

Corrections:
Spelling of his last name is Groner
The levaya is passing through the streets of crown Heights on the way to the cemetery in Queens.

anonymous
anonymous
3 years ago

BDE, a holy person !!!

Facts Rule
Facts Rule
3 years ago

BD”H. Rabbi Groner, z”l, was a photographic & audio genius who was nothing but the highest degree of humble, kind, & caring. I could care less if he happened to be of the opinion Rov Hirschprung, z”l, said is based on shas, poiskim, & zohar, the Lubavitcher Rebbe could still be b’chezkes moishiach while not alive. He was the epitome of a complete, true mentsch through and through. Moishiach NOW! Btw, Rov Hirschprung, z”l, was who tested the students permitted into Yeshivas Chochmei Lublin after Rov Meir Schapiro passed away, z”l. They had to know 200 blatt gemorah to enter. As a teenager, not more than age 17, he’d memorized, according to Rov Meir Schapiro, 2,200 blatt gemorah. So, if he didn’t have an issue with people being of the opinion that someone niftar could still be b’chezkes moishiach, though he himself did not believe that as far as anyone knew, then few people alive today are of a learning standing anywhere near that level to argue. Besides, I didn’t hear that Rabbi Groner, a”h, made much if any deal out of his belief. I don’t think he was an outspoken “meshichist” who believed that you have to post signs all over town that the Rebbe, zt”l, is moishiach, or other such activities.