Across vast Russia, hundreds of Jewish inmates were visited during the festival of Chanukah in the country’s various prisons * In Butirsky Prison, the world’s oldest active prison, inmates were surprised by a special visit by the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Rabbi Berel Lazar
On Thursday afternoon the Chief Prison Warden and the Prison Director were waiting at the main entrance to the “Butirsky Prison” for Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar who was invited to light the Chanukah candles and bring the holiday joy to the Jewish inmates.
This prison was built about 250 years ago and is the world’s longest-functioning prison without interruption. There were many difficult years when great Jewish and Chassidic figures were held there for spreading Torah and Judaism in Soviet Russia.
Amongst the more notable ones are the holy brothers Reb Shmuel Abba and Reb Pinchas Shapiro O.B.M, who continued the holy work of their father Reb Moshe, son of the Tzadik Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz. They had printed many Jewish books in Slavita, and after bitter libels, they were imprisoned and held for some time in the Butirsky Prison in Moscow.
About a half hour before sunset, all the Jewish inmates gathered in the prison’s synagogue which has been fully functioning for the last 10 years.
The Chief Rabbi spoke about the connection with this week’s Torah portion in which we read about the incarceration of Joseph, where specifically from such a lowly place he rose so high until he was able to save his brothers and all of Egypt.
This was a direct result of the personal attention that he gave to his fellow prisoners, helping them with whatever they needed. Rabbi Lazar called upon every one of the inmates, to add light and assist each other in whatever they can, being a shining example for others.
Rabbi Lazar also thanked the prison administration for allowing the inmates to light their Chanukah candles in their cells each night of Chanukah and for their support and assistance in fulfilling the commandments and keeping Jewish holidays.
Along with Army Chaplain Rabbi Ahron Gurevitch, who arranged the event, Reb Shlomo Dishko and Reb Yitzchak Zilberg were called up to receive a certificate of appreciation from the prison administration for their weekly visits to the inmates to help them with pray and attend Torah classes.
After lighting the candles and enthusiastic singing and dancing, the inmates emotionally thanked their esteemed guest for his uplifting words to each of them before parting.
The Rabbi was then invited into the office of the Chief Warden who showed him the various wings of the prison which holds 3,000 inmates, and warmly thanked him in the name of the entire prison staff for his encouragement of the Jewish prisoners throughout the year.
Photography: Butirsky Prison Spokesperson
