Rebbitzen Menucha Rochel - Take 2

Many thanks to Andrew Sharpe for providing the accurate story about Rebbitzen (or "Bobbe") Menucha Rochel.

The bracha was given by the Tzemach Tzedek to his sister in law as Menucha Rochel cried to her sister Chaya Moussia that she did not want to go to Israel because of the heat and rain. Chaya Moussia told her sister she would ask her husband to give a brocha to keep away the heat and rain.

The lady Rabbi Groner is talking about is my great grandmother Shoshana Gitel Slonim.This event happened in the year 1877 when Shoshi Gitel was a 17 year old kallah who was to marry was g-grandfather Yaacov Chaim Slonim in Chevron.

This event was told to me by my grandmother Rivkah Sharpe nee Slonim when I was a teenager that when her mother was walking down the street with Bobba Menucha only her mother got soaked in the rain. I do admit I was very skeptical however my grandmother was adamant and made two comments to her grandchildren (1) we are never to laugh at events that we do not understand or could ever comprehend (2) we are descendants from Beis Dovid from both families of Slonim and Schneuri.

Rabbi Groner also heard the story of Bobba Menucha Rochel from the Friediker Rebbe.

Bobba Menucha Rochel was one tough rebbetzin who always got her way and very compassionate and generous to all those who needed help.My grandmother told me Bobba menucha was treated like royalty by everone in Chevron.

Rebbitzen Menucha Rochel Slonim

Monday, 24 Shevat, was the yartzeit of Rebbitzen Menucha Rochel Slonim, the daughter of the Mittler Rebbe. She was one of the early settlers in Hevron. COL says:

Hundreds of Chabadniks, descendants of Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel Slonim, a'h, visited her Tziyon in Chevron today in honor of her 119th yortseit and marking the 25th year since her descendants organized under 'The Association of Descendants of the Alter Rebbe' have reinstated the annual ascent to her grave-site. This tradition was renewed in 5742 and greatly encouraged by the Rebbe. Gradually, not only an increasing number of descendants joined this 'Aliya Lakever' but the local Chabad House and the settlers of Chevron have come to their assistance and have established a yeshiva near the grave called 'Colel Menucha Rochel'.

I am reminded of a story Rabbi Groner tells (Yitzchok Dovid ben Menucha Rochel should have a refuah shleima) of Rebbitzen Menucha Rochel, his ancestor. It seems that the Mittler Rebbe blessed her that no rain would ever fall on her. Many years ago Rabbi Groner met an elderly lady who knew Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel and verified that this was the case - "she walked between the raindrops".

This is the story as I remember it. If anyone has any corrections or more detail I would appreciate you letting me know.