Mr. Mordechai Rosenbaum z"l aged 57, of Melbourne,
Australia, passed away tragically on Sunday 30 Tishrei-26
October, on the day of his youngest daughter's
chuppah.
R' Mordechai was known for his honesty and care about others.
He demanded very little of himself and was always running
away from honor. He performed many acts of chesed
without the recipient having a clue of their
benefactor.
In his youth he had studied in Israel in the Yeshiva Ketana
of Ponevezh under HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman and HaRav
Michel Lefkowitz. Later he learned in Yeshivas Be'er
Yaakov.
On Shabbos the day before his daughter's wedding, he
complained of a regular stomach virus. On Sunday morning, a
few hours before the chuppah, he was rushed to
hospital due to complications. His family, who had arrived at
the hospital, were instructed by HaRav Beck the rov of Adas
Israel to leave the hospital and prepare for the wedding.
Unbeknownst to the family and guests at the time, he passed
away while his youngest daughter was standing under the
chuppah. The family and guests were only informed of
the tragic news after the wedding.
Hundreds of people attended his funeral on Monday and
hundreds of dazed and stunned mourners visited the shiva
house during the rest of the week to comfort the widow
and the six children. Many people from around the world
called and sent faxes of sympathy to the mourners.
The sheva brochos continued for the chosson and
kalla although many of the family weren't able to
attend. On motzei Shabbos the Kallah joined the aveilim
for the last day of the Shiva.
The petiroh in such tragic circumstances left the
Jewish people in Australia stunned and at a loss for words.
The yad Hashem which was performed through middas
Hadin was clearly felt by all.
An his'orerus was held in the Adas Israel Shul following the
shiva where the rosh kollel HaRav Binyomin Wurtzburger
praised the niftar for his patience in dealing with
others, his happy demeanor and that he was zoche to
raise his children so that all of them are involved in
learning and teaching the holy Torah.
