We've all heard about the persecution of religion in communist Russia in the last century. About the closing of synagogues, Torah studies, and purification baths. About rabbis, circumcisers, and slaughterers who were sent to Siberia. About Sabbath keepers who were thrown into prison.
But it is worth considering the mechanism that managed the persecution of religion. The government never claimed to be opposed to religion. On the contrary, it forced rabbis to sign false declarations about the freedom of religion that existed in communist Russia. The authorities raised beautiful slogans about the freedom given to the country's citizens to live according to their faith.
There was only a 'small' problem, that things had to be done within the framework of the 'law.' Here, one could rely on the people of the 'law' to always know how to find the appropriate section to determine that preserving Judaism was a violation of the 'laws' of the state.
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'A 'law' for all purposes
And that's how it worked.
Want circumcision? Please, but it's a surgery, which should only be performed in an operating room and by a certified surgeon. A mohel who is not a doctor is a criminal who endangers public safety. A clean mikveh? - No problem, but does it meet the strict hygiene requirements? If not, then the operators of the mikveh are spreading diseases and infections. Straight to Siberia!
It is permissible to study Torah, but a school needs a license. Does it teach the subjects necessary for its students to integrate into advanced Russian society? If not, then it is an illegal school, and the parents who send their children there are also criminals. Siberia awaits them.
Kosher food? – As you wish, but slaughter requires supervision by the Ministry of Health, and it will make sure to present requirements that will make it impossible. Oh, slaughtering without a permit? That's a serious danger to public health! Let's go to Siberia.
It is permissible to go to the synagogue, but aren't counter-revolutionary plots being hatched there? That is why there should be KGB agents there, and from time to time the worshippers should be summoned for questioning. Now let's see who will want to come to the synagogue...
Observing Shabbat? – There is no problem in principle, except for a small 'legal' issue: the day of rest in Russia is Sunday, and anyone who goes off work even on Shabbat harms the Soviet economy. This is definitely a serious offense. Did we mention Siberia?
The Jewish genius won
Under the auspices of the 'law', the government made any religious activity a crime, and the propagandists naturally supported the moves to enforce the 'law.' Thus, communism succeeded in making the lives of Jews who sought to be faithful to their faith impossible.
Only a handful of Hasidim dared to stand up against the tyrannical regime, inspired by the Rebbe Rayatz (Rabbi Yosef-Yitzhak Schneerson) of Lubavitcher, the sixth Rebbe of Chabad Hasidism. He opened underground Torah studies, built secret mikvahs, operated secret prayer leaders, conducted circumcision ceremonies in secret, and ensured kosher slaughter without anyone seeing.
The Hasidim were arrested and sent to Siberia. Many of them never returned. Ultimately, the Rebbe himself was also arrested, with the intention of killing him. But even in prison, he proudly stood by his faith. And indeed, the miracle occurred. The tyrannical regime surrendered and released the Rebbe. The days of his redemption, the 12th-13th of Tammuz, became the 'Holiday of Redemption' to this day.
