Rabbi SubotnikTranslated by Daphna Brafman Coordinated by Tilford Bartman
He was still a young child, and the people of the town Oshmina noticed, that Avraham had a great desire for learning. And indeed, his parents sent him to the yeshiva of Volozhin where he was very persistent. He continued his studies in Vilnius.
In Volozhin he resided in the home of the great Gaon Reb. Naftali Tzvi Yehudah Berlin, who devoted much of his attention to him, because he discovered in him great talents for studies and for leadership.
At first Re. Abraham served as a Rabbi in Kaman. During his eight years of service in this town he instituted perfect orders and in his impressive sermons he instructed the public how to educate children to torah and good manners.
He later moved to the congregation of Surpasil, a town near Bialystock. There he was received with much honor. In this town he established a shas association and a marvelous Beit Midrash that even a big city can be blessed by. Because he lacked funds to complete it- he went around nearby towns and collected contributions for its building. He influenced an owner of a factory named Buchholtz to donate 500 rubles and honored him with setting the cornerstone. He also convinced the local German residents to contribute to the Beit Hamidrash.
The main contributor Buchholtz died close to the end of the building. The Rabbi told his widow that he wanted to lament him at the synagogue because he was worthy of it due to his deeds for the public and for this building. The widow and her family came and the place was crowded, and all factory owners from Suprasil were present too. The lamentation of the Rabbi was very exciting, and tears were in people's eyes. The widow was very grateful and continued to contribute to the building until it was all built. The Beit Hamidrash became a magnificent monument of this town.
Ten years later he was appointed a Rabbi in Zabludow where he served 20 years in rabbinical duties. He was famous as a brilliant lecturer. His sermons attracted many. He was always sought after to carry speeches before the public whenever there was a need for guidance, and when they needed to lament important people.
During the days of world war one he went through very difficult days. Some days his life was in danger. Once, when the Russians were pulling back a Cossack wanted to shoot him, but he was wise enough to appease him with many words that made him save his soul, and even influence him not to set the town and the synagogue on fire.
When he died the entire town came to his funeral. Rabbis from other towns came to lament him as he well deserved. This Gaon, this Tzadik, who was a friend of the Gaon Reb. Chaim of Brisk of blessed righteous memory and a friend of the Gaon Reb. Avraham Yitzhak Kook of Jerusalem.
Worth mentioning is that, when the Russian authorities decided to close the Volozhin yeshiva, he was sent with other important leaders to lobby at high officials and convince them to cancel the decree. He traveled to an important activist who had ties in the Czar's courtyard, and he was also assisted by farm house Rabbi Azriel Hildsheimer, Rabbi of Berlin, and after hard efforts they were permitted to reopen the Yeshivah.
Through his initiative a Talmud Torah was established in Zabludow. Thanks to him Reb' Yitzhak Brenner from the United States contributed $500 dollars. This money was used to buy a big home with big yard and garden. But he did not live to see the lively place.
The town's residents will always remember the rules he instituted for the public and his wise leadership. They will remember their Rabbi who was of a stature not much reached in our day and age.
Web: 2003 Tilford Bartman
