The Palace the Rebbe Drew: The Astonishing Story of the Armon in Kfar Chabad
R’ Zushe Rivkin never imagined that a simple offer to build a house for the Rebbe would ignite one of the most extraordinary building stories in Kfar Chabad. What followed was a chain of events — startling answers, miraculous blueprints, and years of waiting — that transformed an ordinary idea into the Rebbe’s Palace • Read More, Video
It was in 5738 that R’ Zushe was seized with the dream of building a home for the Rebbe in Eretz Hakodesh. When his brother R’ Chaim went to New York, R’ Zushe asked him to present the Rebbe with the offer to build the Rebbe a home in Kfar Chabad.
During a private audience with the Rebbe, R’ Chaim did indeed mention that his brother wanted to build a house for the Rebbe in Kfar Chabad. The Rebbe gazed at him and replied, “He wants to build a house for me? … A Palace!” Then the Rebbe added, “But not for now. Wait to build.”
R’ Zushe heard the Rebbe’s response in utter surprise. He had thought of building an ordinary home, yet this was the Rebbe’s incredible answer. R’ Zushe immediately met with architect Zev Marganit. At the end of their meeting, they said l’chaim on mashke from the Rebbe. When they parted, it was close to midnight. Early the next morning the architect phoned R’ Zushe. “The plans are ready!” announced the architect.
“How is that possible? Such blueprints require weeks of work!” R’ Zushe replied in astonishment. Zev responded, “Well, when I got home, I felt an urge to get started on the plans.
I sat down and began drawing. Suddenly, I felt as if my hand had stopped obeying me and was running swiftly across the paper. In disbelief, a complete blueprint of a magnificent palace with all its most intricate details lay before my eyes… My hand did hold the pencil, but it certainly did not draw such perfect plans! All I can say is that the Rebbe himself drew the blueprints…”
R’ Zushe showed the plans to many architects, and they all came to the same conclusion: “No human hand could have done such a superb job!” The blueprints were sent to the Rebbe who answered, “Received and thank you. For now, wait to build…” The Rebbe included ten coins with his response: five lira coins and five half dollars. Many years went by, in the course of which R’ Zushe did not stop asking for permission to build. However, the Rebbe did not give him permission to begin, and answered, “It is not yet the time.”
Finally, at the end of Shvat 5752, a change occurred. R’ Rivkin’s wife passed by the Rebbe at a yechidus Klolis, and she said that her husband asked if he could begin building the Palace for the Rebbe. The Rebbe answered with a smile, “Ask a Rav in Eretz Yisroel.”
Upon hearing the good news, R’ Zushe went immediately to the home of Rabbi Mordechai Ashkenazi, the Rav of Kfar Chabad. He told the Rav about the Rebbe’s instruction to build a palace, and to ask a Rav in Eretz Yisroel. After hearing all the details, and understanding that this is what the Rebbe wants, Rav Ashkenazi said, “they should begin building with joy, and in a good and auspicious time!”
Armed with the Rav’s blessings, Mrs. Rivkin passed by the Rebbe for Dollars once again and told the Rebbe that the Rav gave his approval. The Rebbe was happy and gave her an extra dollar. “As the Rav instructed, so shall you do, and with great success. Blessing and success.”
The next step was deciding on the location of the palace. A few options were presented, and the Rebbe chose the location near the “770” of Kfar Chabad, “Near Beis Aguch.” During the farbrengen that Shabbos, the Rebbe gave a bottle of vodka for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Palace.
The Rebbe expressed his approval for the groundbreaking to take place on Purim Katan and gave his blessings. On Purim Katan, 5752, the groundbreaking took place for the Armon. Hundreds of Lubavitchers from all over the country attended the event. The Rov of Kfar Chabad, Rabbi Mordechai Ashkenazi a”h, as well as Rabbis David Chanzin and the elderly chosid Reb Alter Hilowitz, spoke about the privilege of erecting a building especially for the Rebbe.
Right after the ceremony, after midnight, Reb Zushe got a phone call from Rabbi Groner. The Rebbe wanted to know who attended the event and whether pictures were taken! Reb Zushe responded that he would prepare a list of the attendees and send it the next morning. Rabbi Groner’s response was that the Rebbe was on the line and wanted to hear the names of the participants! When Reb Zushe mentioned the elder chassid Rabbi Alter Hilowitz, Rabbi Groner stopped him and told him that the Rebbe was very pleased that Rabbi Hilowitz attended.
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Beautifull, thank you for repainting There is so much more to share on this exciting topic!
However my husband interviewed Zev Marganit recently and he does not recall saying specifically that the Rebbe himself drew the plans. My guess is that perhaps it was said once to the Rivkins who were his close neighbors and then forgotten, or that possibly the story was elaborated a bit. But he doesn’t recall those words and Rabbi Shlomo Reinitz also interviewed him and he didn’t express this in that interview.
It’s miraculous enough as it is – it’s clear that ה׳ was guiding his hand so no need to add if we’re not 100% sure those were his words. We are therefore planning to remove this quote from the Armon Booklet, which is constantly being updated and is available for download at ArmonBuilders.org.