Gedolei Torah, roshei yeshivos, admorim,
rabbonim and dayonim led a crowd of thousands on 15
Sivan who laid to rest HaRav Efraim Fishel Rabinowitz
zt"l rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tiferes Yisroel Rozhin
and a member of the Agudas Yisroel Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah,
who passed away suddenly at the age of 80.
Efraim Fishel Rabinowitz was born in Jerusalem on the first
day of Chanukah 5685 (1924) to Rav Aryeh Mordechai
Rabinowitz, who was a prominent Boyan Chassid and a
descendent of "the Yehudi Hakodosh" of Pershischa.
The deceased's late brother, HaRav Binyomin, attested that
while studying at the Chayei Olom yeshiva and kollel
HaRav Efraim Fishel would forego his lunch break at home in
order to maximize his learning time. He became especially
conversant with Yoreh Dei'ah.
When he came of age he married the daughter of Rav Moshe
Aharon Segal. From early youth to old age his life centered
around intensive Torah study.
In addition to his shiurim he gave regular mussar
talks calling for elevation in Torah and yiras
Shomayim. He himself served as an example of the
quintessential ben aliyoh, displaying greatness in
Torah and humility.
For years he served as the rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tosh in
Canada under the Admor of Tosh. His talmidim from this
period recall that although he was young at the time he had a
tremendous impact on them.
HaRav Rabinowitz had close ties to the Boyan community
through his father and was held in high esteem by the Admor,
HaRav Mordechai Shlomo.
The deceased served as the rov of Beis Medrash Chortkov in
Antwerp, where he was accepted as their rov and spiritual
leader despite the fact his primary residence was in
Jerusalem.
Upon his return to Eretz Yisroel, HaRav Rabinowitz was asked
to serve as a ram at Yeshivas Tiferes Yisroel in
Jerusalem, where he eventually became the Rosh Yeshiva. He
would give several shiurim every day, including
profound iyun shiurim on Yoreh Dei'ah and
gemora.
Following the petiroh of the previous rosh yeshiva,
HaRav Yehoshua Brim, HaRav Rabinowitz was appointed to the
post, which he held for over two decades until his last
day.
Shortly before last Pesach he traveled abroad to promote
Yeshivas Tiferes Yisroel. Feeling weak he had to return ahead
of schedule, but he continued his holy work. Immediately
after Pesach this year he suffered a mild stroke, but again
resumed his work at the yeshiva.
Recently he was hospitalized and then discharged to his son's
home. Last Tuesday evening, 14 Sivan, he gathered together
his sons to deliver his last will and testament, saying he
felt his strength dissipating and sensed the day when he
would return his soul to his Maker was drawing near. The next
day he collapsed and was summoned to Yeshiva Shel
Maaloh.
The aron was brought into the yeshiva hall where
hundreds of talmidim and Boyan Chassidim stood around
weeping and reciting Tehillim led by the Admor of
Boyan, who accompanied the mittoh until the covering
of the grave at Har Hamenuchos.
Toward evening the levaya made its way from the
yeshiva to the cemetery, where he was laid to rest beside his
father. Participants at the levaya included the Admor
of Gur, HaRav Yochonon Sofer the Gavad of Erlau, HaRav
Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss the Gavad of the Eidoh Chareidis
in Jerusalem, the Admor of Toldos Aharon, the Admor of
Bohush, the Admor of Kapishnitz, rabbonim, dayonim and
marbitzei Torah.
In accordance with the deceased's will no eulogies were
delivered. HaRav Eliezer Rabinowitz delivered short words of
parting and requested forgiveness from the deceased in the
name of the yeshiva members and the Boyan community. The
deceased's son, HaRav Binyomin Tzvi, a ram at Yeshivas
Tiferes Yisroel, offered words of parting and asked
forgiveness in the name of the family.
HaRav Efraim Fishel Rabinowitz is survived by his sons, HaRav
Yitzchok, one of the spiritual leaders of the Boyan community
in Williamsburg, HaRav Yehoshua, a ram at the Tiferes
Yisroel Yeshiva Letze'irim, HaRav Binyomin Tzvi, a ram
at Yeshivas Tiferes Yisroel, Rav Yisroel, Rav Yaakov Dovid
and Rav Yosef, outstanding Boyan avreichim,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
