Rav Bentzion Shemtov zt"l
הרב בן ציון שמטוב זצ"ל
Tammuz 5 , 5735
Rav Bentzion Shemtov zt"l
Rabbi Shemtov was an extraordinary person, an outstanding example of a true Lubavitcher chossid. He was a devoted and loyal soldier who carried out the Rebbe’s orders unhesitatingly and without question, with courage, gladness and self-sacrifice.
He came to England over 27 years ago – accompanied by his devoted wife and their children – directly from the jails and prison camps in Siberia where he had been banished for teaching Judaism to children.
He immediately started the first UK Lubavitch Institution in London: a “school” with an enrollment of three pupils that operated out of his personal residence. That humble beginning was the foundation of the Lubavitch Empire in Great Britain today. He based all his work on love, consideration and tolerance, but mainly on personal perseverance and self-sacrifice, always guided by his beloved Rebbe.
He was the Rebbe’s “roving” ambassador abroad and represented Lubavitch with enormous and good effect. His exemplary conduct, determination and mesiras nefesh for Jews everywhere enhanced his reputation but, even more so, enhanced the entire Lubavitch movement, too.
He could only see good in people. He emphasized and praised their virtues and disregarded their weaknesses. The Orthodox admired and respected him. The not-yet Orthodox loved him. All over the world he only had friends.
His toes were frostbitten because of the severe Siberian cold: he had to wear specially made boots. This did not stop him walking thousands of miles on the Rebbe’s business and he was, nevertheless, always cheerful and constantly saw the bright side of things. For example, his daughter Frieda (Sudak) was once criticizing his Siberian exile, denouncing the Soviet authorities for their cruelty. Rabbi Shemtov rebuked her. He pointed out that the cold weather was good for his asthma! In any case, he continued, Siberia was preferable to being called up to serve in the Russian Army.
His late wife, Golda, was a wonderful person, who voluntarily accompanied her husband into exile. She was a woman of great and simple faith.
On one occasion we visited her in London and she insisted on baking us a cake. She took a baking tin and filled it with flour, eggs, sugar and so forth – and placed it in the oven. In due course, the cake was ready. It was absolutely delicious! Roselyn asked for the recipe. “Oh,” said Mrs. Shemtov, “I don’t bother with recipes. I just pour the stuff into a bowl, mix it well and put it in the oven. I then sit down and say Tehillim (Psalms)!
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2593583/jewish/A-Tribute-to-Rabbi-Bentzion-Shemtov.htm