Thousands of residents from Bnei Brak and Jerusalem, headed prominently by roshei yeshiva, Admorim, rabbonim and noted Torah figures, escorted the Admor of Nadvorna-Hadera this past Friday, Parshas Chukas, 9 Tammuz, to his eternal rest. HaRav Asher Yeshaya Rosenbaum returned his soul to his Maker in the U.S., and his remains were flown here on Friday afternoon and buried in the precinct of the Beis Nadvorna dynasty on Har Hazeisim, Jerusalem.
The Admor was born in the 18th of Elul, 5670, in Chernobyl, Romania, to his father, HaRav Issamar. It was in his parents' home that he absorbed his holy practices, his love for Torah and tireless toil in it, and his devoted self sacrifice for every Jew.
After his brothers got married, leaving him alone in his father's home, his father permitted him to go and study by the Saba Kadisha, the Ahavas Yisroel of Vishnitz, in Grosswardein, where he excelled, earning a close relationship with the Rebbe who drew him close and imparted from his knowledge and holiness, turning him into a devout and worthy follower.
During this period, he formed a close friendship with the future Vishnitzer Rebbe, the Yeshuos Moshe, with whom he studied bechavrusa day and night and together, they accepted special holy practices for improvement in avodas Hashem.
When he turned of marriageable age, he became the son-in-law of his older brother, the Admor of Zutshka, who was glad to have gained a chosson who was the apple of their father's eye. The wedding took place in Bucharest and was attended by a good representation of gedolei Yisroel and masses of Jews who were happy to participate in a Rebbishe simcha.
He was miraculously spared during the Holocaust by finding refuge in his father's home in Chernobyl, even though the Germans succeeded in massacring half the city. The remainder was fortunately not exiled so that a remnant of his father's court survived and were able to reach a safe haven in the U.S. where he reestablished the dynasty in his beis medrash in Flatbush. This soon became a lodestone for Jews seeking closeness to Hashem.
Many sought his blessings and counsel, and his name quickly spread afar as a miracle worker.
In 5726, he fulfilled his heart's desire to settle in Eretz Yisroel. He was asked to spend a Shabbos in Hadera, but first sought his father's advice. The latter, the Admor HaRav Issamar, said, "We descended to this world to be Jews and that is our mission. We must do this." After spending a Shabbos in Hadera, he was begged by the residents to remain there and upon his father's consent, agreed to do so, establishing his court there, which quickly became a beacon of Torah light for the entire area. He thus succeeded in drawing many Jews close to the ways of the Torah, often hosting many of them at his table, which made a tremendous lasting impression upon them.
In 5744, he moved to Bnei Brak and after moving about extensively, finally set up his beis medrash in a splendid building on Rechov Uziel which has become an illustrious center for seekers of Torah and adherents of Chassidus.
Three years ago, he began weakening and moved to the home of his son-in-law in Monsey, where he continued his Torah study and avodas Hashem. His condition deteriorated these past days, forcing him to be hospitalized in Manhattan, where he returned his pure soul to his Creator on Thursday morning, surrounded by a large group which fervently recited the various pesukim, including Shema Yisroel.
His son-in-law took tearful leave of him, delineating his outstanding holiness and exalted avodas Hashem through power and valor coupled with humility which he likened to a doormat, as the Rebbe regarded himself. He also told of his wondrous devotion for the good of his people, including the many benefits he was able to channel through his pure prayers and blessings.
