Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer |
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| Third Pittsburgher Rebbe | |
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| Born | 1955 Newark, New Jersey, US |
| Died | October 4, 2020 (aged 64) Netanya, Israel |
| Yahrtzeit | 17 Tishrei 5781 |
| Buried | Ashdod, Israel |
| Dynasty | Pittsburgh |
| Predecessor | Avraham Abba Leifer |
| Successor | Meshulam Eliezer Leifer |
| Father | Avraham Abba Leifer |
| Mother | Rachel Rosenbaum |
Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer (Hebrew: מרדכי יששכר בער לייפער; 1955 – 4 October 2020) was a very important leader for a group of Jewish people called the Pittsburgh Hasidic dynasty. He was known as their third "Rebbe," which is like a spiritual guide and teacher. Born in the United States, he moved to Ashdod, Israel, in 1981. There, he helped his father, Grand Rabbi Avraham Abba Leifer, start a new Jewish school called a yeshiva. After his father passed away, Rabbi Leifer became the Rebbe. He helped the Pittsburgher Hasidic community grow a lot in Ashdod. He also guided Pittsburgher Hasidim in other cities like Jerusalem and Bnei Brak. He was a very smart Torah scholar and also composed music. He led the community for 30 years until he passed away in 2020.
Contents
Early Life and Family History
Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1955. His father was Grand Rabbi Avraham Abba Leifer. His grandfather was Grand Rabbi Yosef Leifer, who started the Pittsburgh Hasidic group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1924. This family was part of the Nadvorna Hasidic dynasty. His mother, Rachel Rosenbaum, was the daughter of another important Rabbi, Itamar Rosenbaum. Rabbi Leifer's family history goes back many generations to famous Jewish leaders.
Growing Up and Studying
When Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer was born, his father was teaching about the Jewish faith and later started a yeshiva (a school for Jewish studies) in Newark. In 1966, his grandfather passed away. His grandfather had served the Jewish community in Pittsburgh for over 40 years. So, Rabbi Leifer's father was asked to become the new Rebbe.
In 1970, his father moved to Ashdod, Israel. Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer studied at different yeshivas in Israel, including the Grodno yeshiva in Ashdod and the Tchebin yeshiva in Jerusalem. He also studied at the Telshe Yeshiva in Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States.
Becoming the Rebbe
In 1981, his father opened a new yeshiva in Ashdod. He asked Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer to come to Israel and become the rosh yeshiva, which means the head of the yeshiva. On January 6, 1990, his father passed away. At just 34 years old, Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer took on the important role of leading the Pittsburgher Hasidim.
Leading the Community as Rebbe
As Rebbe, Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer was in charge of the Pittsburgher educational system. This system included:
- A cheder (a primary school) with over 300 students.
- Two yeshivas (schools for older students) with 90 students.
- Kollels (places for married men to study Jewish law and texts).
He also started many charity organizations in Ashdod. Because of his great work, the Mayor of Ashdod, Yehiel Lasri, gave him a special award as a "Worthy Citizen of Ashdod."
Community Growth and Outreach
By the time he passed away, Rabbi Leifer had helped the number of Pittsburgher families in Ashdod grow to almost 200. The Hasidic community also welcomed Jewish people who were not yet very religious. This happened through Rabbi Leifer's:
- Shiurim (classes where he taught Jewish texts).
- Tishen (special gatherings where the Rebbe eats, sings, and teaches).
- Personal interactions with people.
Music and Teachings
Just like his father, Rabbi Leifer led lively tishen on Friday nights and after the Shabbat morning meal. He also led a Seudah Shlishit (third Shabbat meal) that often lasted late into the night. During these gatherings, he would share words of mussar (ethical teachings).
The Pittsburgher Hasidic group is also famous for its heartfelt niggunim (melodies). Rabbi Leifer composed many of these tunes. Sometimes he would even create new niggunim during the tish itself. One famous melody he composed is for "She'yifkedunu b'rachamim" (Hebrew: שיפקדונו ברחמים, meaning "He should remember us with mercy"). These niggunim are sung by Pittsburgher Hasidim and by other groups too. They have even been recorded on music albums. In total, Rabbi Leifer composed more than 250 melodies. Many of these are used during synagogue prayers, especially during Hallel on Rosh Chodesh and Yom Tov.
Personal Life and Passing
Rabbi Leifer married Aviva Miriam Liebes. She was the daughter of Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Liebes, who was an important judge in the Rabbinical Alliance of America. Rabbi Leifer and his wife had three sons and six daughters. Sadly, one of their daughters passed away when she was young.
During the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, Rabbi Leifer stayed home and followed all health guidelines very carefully. He caught the COVID-19 virus after leaving his home for the first time in August. He was admitted to Laniado Hospital in Netanya on August 15. He passed away on October 4, 2020, at the age of 64.
His funeral took place in Ashdod on October 5. Many people attended to pay their respects. At the funeral, Rabbi Leifer's oldest son, Rabbi Meshulam Eliezer Leifer, was announced as the new Rebbe. His son Rabbi Yaakov Leifer became the head of the yeshiva network. His son Rabbi Yosef Leifer was named the Rabbi of the Pittsburgher community in Bnei Brak.
Published Works
Rabbi Leifer's teachings and speeches have been collected and published in books. These books are called Pisgamei Oraisa–Shabbos (Hebrew: פתגמי אורייתא-שבת). There are two volumes covering his teachings from 1990 to 2010. This series also includes ten volumes of his teachings on the weekly Torah portion and Jewish holidays.
Rebbes of Pittsburgh
- Yosef Leifer (1924–1966)
- Avraham Abba Leifer (1966–1990)
- Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer (1990–2020)
- Meshulam Eliezer Leifer (2020– )
