For very many that were able to make the great descendant of rabbis Yitzhak Zilber and his family, while in the USSR under the most severe persecution, it was a challenge and an enormous force incentive. Among foreign Jews with good reason secretly believed that the survivors of the war, "Soviet citizens of Jewish nationality" fully complied with the ambient conditions, assimilated so much that it was hard to even imagine, in this case the possibility of restoring the spiritual traditions of the nation. After all that has been accumulated by the works of great Jewish sages of the past millennium, it was skillfully and ruthlessly uprooted.


The emergence of Israel in the 70's "Russian refuseniks", math, scientist and teacher, preserved the integrity of all the traditions of his people, not to give in and not to stumble even imprisoned in the camp - a sensation. Knowledge of this man were endless, but what is especially shocked the world famous ravov, generation of teachers: this knowledge did not remain hidden in the "secluded hiding place" - but inexplicably Zilber was able to realize them. He and his family - wife, son and three daughters - lived in the Jewish law where their compliance people were persecuted and killed. It was hard to believe, but do not believe it was impossible.


And how simple and accessible was the man! How fail-safe! But he received rabbinical "Smíchov" (license) from the Rav Moshe Feinstein, who, while still a new immigrant, visited the United States. Rav Zilber later recalled that this tzaddik handed him a dollar bill, and he refused, "Rebbe, I'm going to work ..."


And how much he worked, not sparing himself! He could have been limited to the scientific work of the university, as a teacher Rav Zilber was once an academician Chebotarev. And it would be probably very useful for him remains a lot of time for personal activities Torah. However, during the meeting, and a long conversation with the Lubavitcher Rebbe Tzadik said Yitzhak Zilber: "In Israel today many Jews come from Russia. By submitting an application to the Russian authorities at the check-out (70 years), they write what they want to leave for Israel on the national and religious grounds. In this country, they do not become better. There, in the Union, at least for the sake of their departure was worth to consider themselves Jewish. And in Israel - generally no interest. If there is no one they will, they would pluck the influence of "the street", will go to other countries, and there will be desecration of the name of the Almighty ... So - the Rebbe said - I do not see a greater mitzvah than Russian olim deal with. "


Rav Zilber did everything to help immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Being already very unwell, he went to prison, to the "Russian" prisoners at home to organize a "shaved" (circumcision), sought to obtain "geta" (Jewish divorce) for women. And a lot of teaching. On this same path he was followed by his son, Rabbi Benzion. That father and son Silber stood at the origins of a fundamentally new Jewish educational organization "Toldos Eshurun" which has received in recent years, international fame. "Toldos Eshurun" and organized on the eve of 9 Av, and the 100th anniversary of the birth of a grand evening in memory of the great righteous - Rav Yitzchak Zilber.


The disciples of Rabbi Zilber honored his memory as it is traditionally accepted in the Torah sages throughout the year a group of more than fifty people taught the Babylonian Talmud - the greatest achievement and Jewish heritage. By the evening of memory this grand annual work group has been completed: rising to the podium had a lesson for the audience, broadcast on huge screens.


Among quoted on evening of memory passages from the Talmud it was one - the same one that led Rabbi Zilber and in his famous book "The flames could not sleep you." The book he wrote, observing secrecy, even in the former Soviet Union.


It was an episode of the four sages who have witnessed the devastation of our land and the Temple Mount after the Roman destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The wise men saw on the site that housed the Holy of Holies, the fox. Three of them burst into tears, and Rabbi Akiva, as evidenced by the Talmud, laughed. His stricken companions, he explained that in the prediction of the prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah) said: "So I took myself reliable witnesses: Uriah the priest, and Zharyu ..." What is the relationship, one wonders, between Uriah and Zharey? After all the witnesses have given their statements at the same time. But Uriah lived during the First Temple, and Zharya - during the Second Temple ... The fact that Yeshayahu connected prophecy of Uriah and Zhari together. Uriah predicts: "Because of you, like a field plowed is Zion and Jerusalem in ruins, and the Temple Mount will be a wooded hill." A Zharya says (about the future later): "... will also sit in the squares of Jerusalem old men and women ... and filled the streets of the cities of boys and girls playing there ..."


- It is not fulfilled the prophecy of Uriah, I was afraid and Zhari prophecy is fulfilled. Now, when the word of Uriah come true, there is no doubt that the predictions come true and Zhari.


Answered his comrades:


- Akiva, you have comforted us! "


In conclusion, Rabbi Silber wrote:


"... Those who live in Israel today? Who colonized again rebuilt Jerusalem and Safed, Tiberias and Jaffa, Kiryat Arba and Be'er Sheva? ... Returned by God in the Land of Israel children forefather Jacob, come from Russia and Morocco, India and Western Europe, America and Yemen ... Because after all filled with prophecies about this punishment, it is time to fulfill the prophecy of the deliverance of the Jewish people and his return to his country ... "


Irina Krupitsky