Rabbi Chaim Lieberman

Schneur Zalman of NY remembers Rebbe Rayatz's secretary and librarian Rabbi Chaim Lieberman. Comments to the Barry Gourary file:

Rabbi Chaim Lieberman, RACHAL died a number of years ago. He spent his final years in Eishal Avrohom Home in Williamsburg. A number of Satmarer Chasidim took care of him. I saw him there and he looked well. His mind was razor sharp and he let me have it too... He is buried in Israel. A tragic life, never married, a scholar (his two volume Ohel Rachel is a classic in Jewish bibliography and Yiddish linguistics) and a gentleman. Zecher Zaddik Livrocho!

Reb Chaim never married even though he wished dearly to marry Chana Schneersohn. He was alone after 1950 when his Rebbe and master died. He was alone in his last years in Aishel Avrohom. Only the Gourarys remained his friends. Reb Chaim related many of his zichronoth in a newspaper of yellow journalism that was published as a response to Panim Chadashoth in the 1980's by a renegade Satmar people. While the articles were somewhat jazzed up, they apparently reflect Reb Chaim's tone and agenda in regards the Rebbe vechuli. I have the 4-6 issues that appeared. The attacks were bitter and I will not repeat them.