Rabbinic career
After the death of his father in 1906, he was appointed as rabbi of Baranovich, but soon gave the position up to his sister's husband, Rabbi Dovid Waicel. [3]
With the outbreak of World War I, Rabbi Lubchansky remained in Russia, staying with his father-in-law's family. During this time, he headed the branches of the Navodrok Yeshiva in Kharkiv (now in Ukraine), Tsaritsyn, and elsewhere. After the war, he returned to Baranovich, where his mother still lived. [2] [3]
Baranovich Yeshiva
Originally established in 1906 by Rabbi Horowitz, the Baranovich Yeshiva was disbanded during World War I. [3] In 1921, it was reestablished and Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman was appointed as its rosh yeshiva; he immediately appointed Rabbi Lubchansky as mashgiach ruchani. [3] In this role, he was known to be extremely devoted to his students, often crying in prayer for their growth. He was also known to have a strong influence over them, as well as a boundless love for them. Dozens of his students would eat their meals at his home, at his own expense. [2]
Rabbi Lubchansky's influence in Baranovich was not only felt in the yeshiva but throughout the city's Jewish community. On Friday afternoons, he and Rabbi Wasserman would visit the stores owned by non-religious Jews and encourage them to close their stores for Shabbos. [2] [lower-alpha 1]
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