Horowitz, Nisan

הורביץ, ניסן

He was born around the year 5653 (1893) in White Russia. When he reached yeshiva age, his father sent him to study at Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in Lubavitch.

Because he dedicated himself entirely to prayer and did not attend yeshiva study sessions, the yeshiva administration informed him that he could no longer be counted among its students and would not be able to eat with the yeshiva students. Nevertheless, he remained in Lubavitch and engaged in prayer in the town's main study hall.

With the establishment of Yeshivas Toras Emes in Hebron in 1911 (5671), he was chosen and sent by the Rebbe Rashab to be part of the first group of students that formed its foundation. Upon his arrival in Hebron, he was appointed by the yeshiva administration to serve as a mashpia (spiritual mentor), and he began teaching Chassidus to the other students.

After his marriage, he settled in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem. He later began serving as a mashpia in the Tzemach Tzedek Yeshiva in the evenings, while dedicating his days to the service of prayer.

His prayers, uttered with a unique sweetness, attracted many to the Chabad study hall where he prayed. It is said that when the yeshiva temporarily relocated to study in the synagogue’s hall, all the students and teachers were captivated by his prayers, which disrupted the learning. As a result, the yeshiva moved to another temporary location.

In addition to his role at the yeshiva, he was one of the main mashpi’im of the Chabad community in Jerusalem, regularly delivering a Chassidic discourse at the third meal on Shabbat and teaching Tanya at the synagogue.

Throughout his life, he was strict about not engaging in casual conversation on Shabbat. Even when R' Shmuel Gurary, the son-in-law of the Rebbe Rayatz, visited Israel, he refrained from speaking with him throughout Shabbat, maintaining his practice.

After many years of marriage, when it became clear from all the doctors that he and his wife could not have children, his father-in-law refused to allow his daughter to divorce him, saying, "I am reluctant to lose such a gem."

Following the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz, he was one of the primary speakers at the gathering of elder Chassidim in Jerusalem, arguing that they should accept the leadership of the Rebbe and write a letter of allegiance to him.

Throughout his life, he endured many hardships. His wife passed away before him, but it did not affect his commitment to prayer and the study of Chassidus. His students were surprised when he continued discussing Chassidic matters even when they came to console him.

He himself passed away on the 25th of Adar Sheini, 5727 (1967).

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