In Yerushalayim’s Toldos Avraham Yitzchak beis medresh, this Shabbos was a painful one, one during which chassidim exhibit great difficulty trying to overcome the pain, sorrow and loss, seeking to embrace the Shabbos malka.
According to community leaders, Rav Aryeh Leibish was a well-know figure, one who was regarded for his profound Torah knowledge as well as his ability to welcome everyone on an equal level, always part of the tzibur, always there for those in need.
Born 37 years ago, on 23 Shvat 5731 to HaRav HaTzaddik Rav Nachum Ephraim Teitlebaum Shlita, the Volover Rebbe of America. Rav Aryeh Leibish was a dominant figure in the Rebbe’s kashrus organization, one known for its pristine standard.
Rav Aryeh Leibish studied in Binyan Dovid Yeshiva in Williamsburg, under the direction of Rav Chanina Acraham Leitner ZATZAL. His keen abilities quickly became apparent to all.
A number of people who knew him from childhood testify to his unique character, abilities and his sensibilities to the troubles of others. At age 16 he exhibited his total familiarity with hilchos Shabbos. His knowledge was not superficial, but he would cite sources in depth, from a Gemara to the last detail of a Tur Beis Yosef.
From Williamsburg he went to Yeshiva Toras Moshe D’Satmar in Montreal. Rav Levin, from the yeshiva, relates a story.
It was the year that the Ball Beirach Moshe ZT”L came to town before Shavuos to take part in his grandson’s bar mitzvah. It was after yomtov, and the Rebbe was exhausted from the tiresome journey to Montreal and the long hours of learning on yomtov and receiving the k’hal. The Rebbe had received well-wishers for hours at the time young Aryeh Leibish approach. Suddenly, the Rebbe awakened and the two reviewed halachos of Eruv Tafshilin, which the young prodigy had recently completed. They sat together for an hour. Anyone present at the time will never forget witnessing the two.
He then went to learn under HaGaon HaTzaddik Tudros Silber Shlita, where he was also regarding as exceptional, eventually becoming the son-in-law of the Toldos Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe Shlita. Those who knew him in the Yerushalayim community attest to his rigorous learning schedule in Eretz Yisrael as well.
Of late, he also ran a gemach to assist avreichim whose children were getting married.
His adherence to honoring his parents was exceptional, and despite the geographical distance, he was known to be his father, the Rebbe’s right hand. Even this last trip, he decided at the last moment to travel to India to inspect a factory to assist the Rebbe Shlita, a trip that was logistically difficult for him at this time.
His last conversation was with his Rebbitzin, who immediately tried making contact with him following the breaking news of the attack, but without success.
His last Shabbos in Eretz Yisrael was spend in Bet Shemesh together with his father-in-law the Toldos Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe Shlita. At the tisch, the Rebbe gave him a long gaze, finally signaling him to start a nigun. He started a Chabad nigun, “L’Elok-kim domi nafshi ki elecha tikvasi”.
Rav Aryeh Leibish is survived by his rebbitzin, 8 children, the oldest of which celebrated his bar mitzvah about six months ago. The youngest is 10 months.
YWN has learned that the Volover Rebbe Shlita, along with his mechutan, the Toldos Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe Shlita, have left JFK International Airport in NYC on motzei Shabbos on their way to Eretz Yisrael. The Satmar Rebbe Shlita from Kiryas Yoel, who is a cousin with the Volover Rebbe, along with more than 100 Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok Chassidim traveled to the airport to be Menachem them. The Misaskim organization was in the airport, and arranged for both Rebbe’s to receive VIP treatment, with the airport, airline staff and Port Authority Polce extending all courtesy possible in this tragic time.
An exclusive video clip along with photos taken at the airport will be posted shortly.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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15 Responses
Rav Aryeh Leibish HY”D was found hunched over a Gemorah Mesechtes Brochos, in the Chabad House.
I am confused. Was the Toldos Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe in America??
What exactly was the relationship between the niftar and the previous Satmar Rebbe, Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum? Can someone please clarrify? Thank you, Besuras Tovos!
He came to the US on November 13th to raise funds for Mosdos Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok. It was supposed to be a 3 week trip.
To #2-
Yes, the Rebbe was in America for his yearly fundraising trip, but he is returning home for the levaya.
to #3 the privious nirbarter rebbe zt’l was a brother to the the satmarer rebetzin , the beirach moshe wife, so the volver rebbe and todays nirbarter rebbe (rav hamachshir to meal mart) and todays satmarere rebbes are 1st cousinsso the kadosh is 2nd cousin
#3 he was a great nephew to the previous Satmar Rebbe
To #3.
The previous Satmar Rebbe was married to the sister of the Volover Rebbes father, so he was a great uncle for him
to #3 he was the great nephew to the previous Satmar Rebbe
Mumbai – India situation is probably one of the most tragic happening in our life time The, it’s painful to comment on, its so sad for all of us no difference if we knew the victims or not, its a loss for all of Klall Yisroel. May Hahem give their families and us comfort; help lead us to the ultimate Geulah in the near future, Amen.
I was thinking what lesson can I take from this tragedy for my self, please allow me to share a couple of points that I have derived from this situation, to try and better myself, I am not trying to point fingers at any one, I’m simply thinking out loud.
First, We always have to remember what Chazel teach us, that NOTHING ever happens in the world by itself, everything that happened since the first moment of creation is all done and approved by Hashem Yisborch.
Second, As Jews we have to believe that what ever happens in our lifetime is good for us, even though we can’t see how something so tragic could possibly be considered good, but as we know that it’s Hashems doings it must be good for us, Hashems ways are only good he is a Ruchum V’chunun, there has to be something “good” for us hidden in every difficult situation that we are not on a level to imagine yet.
Third, The people who Hashem ended their life so suddenly must have been very great – special people, holy Neshomes, they have tremendous Zechusim, as a amall example, they where able to unite Klall Yisroel have all of us, no matter of our background, from all around the globe, Daven for their safety etc. 50 – 60 hours around the clock, when was the last time that we all felt so close to each other having Yiden all over the world pray so much, same time, for the same topic to Hashem.
Forth, Where did it happen? in a Bais Hamedresh a Shul building: lets examine our selves and see if we are careful with the full amount of respecting one has to have for a Shul / Bais Medresh as it says in Shulchan Aruch? What percentage of us can honestly say that we go to Shul JUST to Daven and not to socialize? Are we on guard not to Shmuz or not to answer our Cell / Mobil phones during Davening? Do we pray with enough Kavonah? How many keep quiet during Laning when we read from the holy Torah? (and don’t join the Kiddush club) sad to say, I have visited places that there is so much talking during Davening that’s its a Chilul Hashem to step into a so called Shul… So why do we wonder why Hashem is showing us so much anger.
Fifth, One or more of the Kedoshim at the seen was a Mashgiach for a very reliable Kashrus organization; I think it time that we are careful what we eat and whom we can trust to certify our foods, what foods enter our homes. We can’t go with the attitude when I go to a Shimcha / Kidush / Hotel / Restaurant etc. I rely totally on the Mashgiach no matter who he is, we have to go and investigate the kitchen situation see whom we are relying on, would I rely on him or her for my business advice too? Or if we hear that a cretin product is questionable do we care, or our attitude is: well it has a Kosher symbol on the packaging it’s enough for me, the rest it’s not my problem.
Sixth, The Kedoshim where reported as hostages for some time, WHY DID HASHEM MAKE THIS into a HOSTAGE SITUATION? Maybe the strong message
is: Hashem is crying out to us and saying: I (Hashem) am hostage for “two thousand years” please turn back to me, do Teshuva from the bottom of your hearts, get me back to the Bais Hamikdosh, A.S.A.P. Hashem is in great pain, being in Golus such a long time is not easy, he is waiting for us to repent, have Achdus and greet Moshiach.
May we all use this horrifying experience to get closer to Hashem, do Teshuva obey our holy Torah, and be Zocha to see with our own eyes the Geulah in the near future.
Chessed, “beautifully said”
India situation is probably one of the most tragic happening in our life time — One of the most tragic happening in our lifetime, probably depends on your age.
The last 60 years have been full of tragic happenings for klal yisroel and the need to act as ‘one nation’ is essential for our future redemption.
Also: The Satmar Rebbe’s (R’ Aron) Son in law – is also a brother of the niftar
# 12 Thanks for the complement , if we only accomplish NOT talking during Davening it’s a great accomplishment.
Can YWN please let us know how we, ordinary people, can be Menachem Avel the families? I assume everyone will sit in EY.
As an addendum to #10, please note that R’ Leibish, zatzukel, made a powerful statement by deciding to spend what he probably knew would be the last minutes of his life learning Gemara Brochos. Surely there’s a lesson to all of us in this about how to spend our spare moments (Shuv yom echad lifnei mitascha). Does anyone know what daf the Gemara was opened to?