Chief Rabbi of Ukraine: Stalin died after Jews’ prayers

Assman during prayer in Washington. Photo: Assman's Facebook

Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Asman made a Facebook post, linking Joseph Stalin’s death to Jews’ prayers during the feast of Purim.

According to the rabbi, in 1953, at the height of the Purim celebrations, the Lubavitcher Rebbe addressed his Hasidim in the “770” synagogue in New York with a call to shout loudly three times: “Hooray!” Asman explained that in Hebrew this sounds like הוּא רַע – “He is a villain!” Hundreds of those present shouted these words together.

By the rabbi’s account, it was at that very moment that Stalin suffered a stroke – on March 2, 1953, by the secular calendar. Three days later, on March 5, Stalin died.

Asman stated that shortly before his death Stalin allegedly had been preparing a mass deportation of Jews to the Far East with the aim of exterminating them – freight railcars were already in place and the relevant order had been issued.

“But the Almighty overturned the villain’s plans. And he died during the days of Purim!” the rabbi wrote.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Zelensky awarded the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine the Order of Merit.

Read also

Pope Leo visits Grand Mosque of Algiers calling it "the space that belongs to God"

The Pontiff emphasized the spiritual significance of the mosque as a sacred space for prayer and dialogue between believers of different denominations.

Dumenko discusses UOC communities' "transfers" to OCU with British Ambassador

The head of the OCU discussed with the diplomat Britain's assistance to Ukraine and the role of the Church in wartime conditions.

Shevchuk: Orthodox and Catholics should celebrate Easter together

The head of the UGCC called on the entire Christian world to seek a common date for celebrating Easter so that "east and west are no longer divided on this holy day".

Israeli rabbis lash out at pope over anti-war remarks

In Israel, the pontiff’s calls for peace were said to blur the line between aggressor and defender, with critics demanding: “Do not preach morality to us.”

Metropolitan Victor leads patronal feast of persecuted Krasyliv community

The Resurrection parish of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy of the UOC celebrated its patronal feast in makeshift premises.

Shevchuk to Zelensky: We tell the world there is religious liberty in Ukraine

During the UCCRO meeting with Zelensky, Shevchuk assured the president that Greek Catholics are telling the world that Ukraine enjoys freedom of religion.