Gedolei Yisroel, roshei yeshivos, admorim,
dayonim and rabbonim were on hand in Bnei Brak to lay
to rest the Admor of Alexander, HaRav Avrohom Menachem
Dantziger zt"l, who returned his soul to his Maker
Monday morning 17 Adar II at the age of 84.
Avrohom Menachem Dantziger was born in Lodz on 3 Tammuz 5681
(1921) to the Admor HaRav Yehuda Moshe, the author of
Emunas Moshe. His uncle the Tiferes Shmuel served as
sandak at the bris.
At a young age he spent much time in the company of the
Admor, his holy grandfather, HaRav Betzalel Yo'ir.
In 5693 (1933) as the darkening gloom began to settle on
Europe, the Akeidas Yitzchok of Alexander instructed the
Emunas Moshe to move to Eretz Yisroel and at the end of 5694
(1934) he arrived in Eretz Hakodesh, settling in
Jerusalem.
Avrohom Menachem, who was a young bochur at the time,
began to study at Yeshivas Eitz Chaim, later continuing his
studies at Yeshivas Novardok, where he was held in high
esteem by HaRav Yosef Dinklis. He would repeat his
shiurim to the bochurim and they even studied
the difficult sugyos in maseches Mikvo'os
together. He also formed a close relationship with Maran
HaRav Shach zt"l, who was serving at Yeshivas Novardok
at the time. Later they served together on Moetzes Gedolei
HaTorah.
His father once came to take him home from the yeshiva, but
unable to find him he sat down and opened a gemora.
When Avrohom Menachem came and saw his father engrossed
in his learning he decided not to disturb him, so he too sat
down to learn and neither of them budged for the next five
hours.
In 5702 (1942) he married the daughter of HaRav Chananya Yoel
Halperin. She stood by his side throughout the years with
extraordinary devotion. During the period of their engagement
he received a warm letter filled with praises and signed by
HaRav Shach, HaRav Dinklis and HaRav Ben Tzion Bruk.
After the wedding he grew close to the Tchebiner Rov,
studying at his kollel and listening to in his
profound shiurim. For many years he also toiled over
the Zohar and the writings of the Arizal and learned
bechavrusa with ylct"a HaRav Shroyoh Devlitzky
and HaRav Eliyohu Weintraub.
When reports of the annihilation of Chassidus Alexander,
including the Admor the Akeidas Yitzchok, reached Eretz
Yisroel in 5707 (1947), the elders and communal leaders of
Alexander placed the mantle of leadership on the shoulders of
the Emunas Moshe, who set about building and rehabilitating
the ruins of Alexander Chassidus, setting up the world center
for Alexander Chassidim in Bnei Brak.
When the Emunas Moshe passed away on 23 Adar I 5733 his son,
HaRav Avrohom Menachem, was chosen to succeed him. Since then
Alexander Chassidus has flourished, bringing more
talmidim into the beis medrash and starting
Yeshivas Beis Yisroel Tiferes Menachem as a direct
continuation of the Alexander yeshivas in Europe where
thousands of talmidim once studied.
During tefillos he would stand with extraordinary
submission, like a servant before his master. For the past 25
years every evening he would sit down to tearfully recite
Iggeres HaRamban for two hours. He participated in the
minyan vosikin until joining the main minyan
once he became admor, but even then he would take part
in the minyan vosikin every two weeks: on Rosh Chodesh
and on the 15th of each month.
Despite his weak health in recent years he continued his
avodas hakodesh. Three years ago his eyesight began to
fail. Unable to read well, especially small print, he would
sigh and confide in those close to him, "Lomoh li
chaim? Well, perhaps for the sake of the Chassidim it is
good that I am still alive . . . " During the past two weeks
his health declined rapidly and at 9:30 am Monday, while
sitting in his chair at home, suddenly he returned his soul
to his Maker.
Alexander Chassidim soon began streaming into the beis
medrash and in keeping with the deceased's wishes the
levaya got underway without delay. The large crowd
recited selichos and tachnunim, the Thirteen
Attributes of Mercy and kabolas ol malchus Shomayim.
His son, HaRav Yisroel, then announced a request that
everyone present commit to giving tzedokoh and
learning one maseches from the Shas to be
completed by the Shloshim le'ilui nishmoso. At 2:00
p.m. the procession set out from the beis medrash
where the Admor had taught Torah for decades.
Thousands waited on Rechov R' Akiva for the mittoh to
arrive. Among the mourners on hand were HaRav Aharon Leib
Shteinman, HaRav Nissim Karelitz, HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman,
the Admor of Vishnitz, the Admor of Gur, the Admor of
Sadigora, the Admor of Tzanz, the Admor of Nadvorna, the
Admor of Lelov, the Admor of Chernobyl, the Admor of
Machnovka, the gavad of Makawa, the Admor of Zotshka,
the Admor of Lublin and the deceased's son-in-law, the Admor
of Botoshan.
The levaya continued on Rechov Chazon Ish until
reaching the Ponovezh Cemetery, where he was buried with his
forefathers in the Alexander ohel.
The Admor of Alexander, HaRav Avrohom Menachem Dantziger
zt"l, is survived by his sons, HaRav Yisroel, HaRav
Shneur Zalman and HaRav Yechiel, his sons-in-law, HaRav Meir
Halpert, HaRav Dov Refoel Zonabend, HaRav Chaim Shaul Taub
and the Admor of Botoshan HaRav Yaakov Frankel, grandchildren
and great-grandchildren all carrying on the glorious
Alexander tradition.
