HaGaon HaTzaddik HaRav Elazar Mordechai Kenig, tz"l
Tevet 23
Words cannot explain and the only the heart can shout in broken desperation...
HaRav Kenig has left to a better world, but he left the world a beautiful inheritance his Torah, his advice and a rebuilt Holy City of Tsfat.
To read articles and tributes to HaRav Kenig, zt"l click here.
HaRav Kenig has left to a better world, but he left the world a beautiful inheritance his Torah, his advice and a rebuilt Holy City of Tsfat.
To read articles and tributes to HaRav Kenig, zt"l click here.
To Donate for Maor L'Chashmal - Ner L'Maor in Memory of HaRav Kenig, zt"l - Each month's dedication is 1000 Shekel ($365 Canadian - $275 USA)
It is a special merit to donate for ner l’maor, as written in the Mi Shebarach prayer “and one who gives to Ner l’Maor Hakadosh Baruch Hu will pay his wages and will remove from his house sickness, will send refuah to his body and will remove all his sins and will send bracha and success to all his actions.
Mourning fell heavily on the world of Torah Chassidut, especially Breslov Chassidim when the harsh and bitter news of the passing of the Gaon, the Tzaddik Rabbi Elazar Mordechai Kenig, tz”l one of the greatest Breslov Hasidic leaders, was heard. HaRav Kenig was the head of the Nachal Novea Mekor Chochma community and its institutions in the Holy City of Tsfat and was still at the height of his leadership and guidance to legions of disciples and students who walk in the bright light of the Rebbe Nachman of Breslov.
With his passing all of Israel lost a true leader, who served Hashem with sincere devotion until he completely weakened his body. Everyone cherished being in his presence, with his shining countenance, calming presence and clarity of thought he offered each person advice and blessing. And despite being high above the high, all his actions were with graceful humility, as if a simple man.
The Holy City of Tsfat donned sack cloth
HaRav Kenig continued his father the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Gedaliah Aaron tz”l's life work, with the establishment of Kiryat Breslov and the Breslev Tsfat institutions in the Holy City of Tsfat. He brought glorification back to Tsfat, by rebuilding Tsfat - ensuring her development and restoration, and he merited to see Tsfat rebuilt in his lifetime. In his will he thanked Hashem for giving him the merit to rebuild Tsfat. He truly sanctified G-d’s name with his actions and built the Breslev Tsfat Institutions to glorify G-d’s name.
The Torah learned by the hundreds of students, in the schools, yeshiva and kollels of Breslev Tsfat , re- crown the Holy City of Tsfat as a place of Torah and chesed, restoring it to its former glory .
Alongside this was his sacred mission to bring out the diamond from the rough, to bring back every lost Jewish soul. Many hundreds of Jews returned to their Father in Heaven thanks to his great influence and merit and raised generations that were Yirat Shamayim and full of Torah, which brought him great nachat. On the Chagim all of his students would come with their families to visit the Rav. Each one he would accept with a smile and he would devote time to each child, forging a connection. With his passing thousands of children have lost their adoptive grandfather.
His students and disciples were connected to him and loved him dearly. They followed his golden path of Torah and Tefillah that he laid out for them, the path of the Holy Tzaddik Rebbe Nachman of Breslev.
Fourteen years ago, he almost reached the gates of death, and only because of the outpouring of tefillah and G-d’s tremendous compassion was he saved at the last minute with a successful lung transplant. He slowly recovered and continued his Holy work and leadership, while he continued his medical treatment to strengthen himself. Though weak he did not spare himself and served G-d with all his heart and soul.
In recent times, his health had deteriorated and he had become very ill. Among the entire House of Israel and the Breslev Chassidim, in particular, they tore the Heavens with their prayers to G-d to save him and send him a complete healing. On the last day of Chanukah (Zot Chanukah) people around the world joined together in Meron, at the Kotel, in Uman and many other places all over the world, to ask, beg and pray for his health, that G-d should please send him a refuah shalayma that he could continue to lead His flock as before.
In recent days there had been some improvement in his condition, and therefore he was planning a trip to the United States to consult with doctors there. But the decree was already sealed, Oy Hashem - may He have compassion and help us now.
On Monday morning, the 23rd of Tevet, his condition suddenly deteriorated, and within minutes he returned his pure soul to its Creator. To the shock of his students and admirers couldn't digest the bad news - that a Holy storm suddenly blew and took up to Heaven his precious soul with a kiss of death.
When the bitter news came broken cries echoed out of the Great Breslev Synagogue, Kiryat Breslov and throughout Tsfat -the Holy Ark has been taken from Tsfat.
His Youth
HaRav Kenig, zt”l was born on the 8th of Cheshvan 74 years ago in the Holy City of Yerushalyam. He was the son of Reb Gedaliah and Esther Yehudit Kenig. When HaRav Kenig was born Reb Gedaliah was already known as one of the leaders of Breslev Chassidut and was amoungst the biggest students of HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Avraham Shternhertz who was one of the elders and main leaders of Breslev Chassidut. While holding the newborn Elazar Mordechai, Rav Gedaliah cried out "What a great soul Hashem has given me!"
HaRav Elazar Mordechai attended Etz Chaim Talmud Torah and even then was already known as a one headed for greatness. Also his father Reb Gedaliah would say to his students that his son was destined for distinction in Avodat Hashem. He then attended Breslev Bnai Brak for yeshiva where he was a tremendous matmid who would learn day and night both the Talmud and Halacha along with the teachings of Rebbe Nachman. He then attended Yeshivat Mir where he was known to learn for 18 hours straight.
He married his Rebbetzin, Rebbetzin Chaya who stood at his side throughout his life and helped him in all his actions and avodat Hashem. She is the daughter of Rav Avraham Yehuda Berger, z”l from the important and long standing members of Bnai Brak. It was in Bnai Brak that he first built his house, learning in the Breslev Kollel in Bnai Brak. His greatness was immediately recognized and kollel and community members surrounded the young Rav, basking in his light.
Tsfat will Suddenly Be Built
During the Rav's youth Reb Gedaliah was investing all of his energy in following the directive given to him by his teacher HaRav Shternhartz, zt"l to rebuild the city of Tsfat, which Rav Shternhartz declared would "bring benefit to the entire world." The Rav, zt”l, together with his brothers, shlita, stood by his side with heart and soul to complete the great vision of rebuilding Tsfat which, at that time, appeared to many to be a delusion. To the world’s tremendous sorrow, Rav Gedaliah suddenly passed away leaving his dream unfulfilled. On the 23rd of Tammuz when he was in Manchester, England for the purpose of raising funds to rebuild Tsfat, Reb Gedaliah had a heart attack and returned his pure soul to its Maker, he was only 59 years old.
Before leaving for England Rav Gedaliah entrusted his vision to the Rav, zt”l. Within the 30 days after the passing of Rav Gedaliah, the Rav left Bani Brak and moved to Tsfat. He immediately began his work to fulfill his father’s vision. He worked day and night with tremendous miserat nefesh and with Hashem's help and his hard work he established a Talmud Torah, schools for girls, yeshiva and kollels for Talmudic scholars, a special education school and institutions of chesed and tzedakah. Until he merited seeing a beautiful community flourish and his and his father's dream actualized- a restored Tsfat.
Pillars of the World
All of his life, at every moment and in every situation, the Rav diligently learned the Holy Torah for long hours. Every day of his busy and tiring with his role of running the Nachal Novea institutions and accepting petitioners, offering advice and blessings. After the last person left, the Rav would sit and begin learning, his tired face and body would appear rejuvenated and he would learn until he was completely exhausted. At every moment the Rav would repeat and emphasize to his students the main points of Avodat Hashem as laid out by Rebbe Nachman of Breslev was to learn Torah and to daven with all of one’s heart and soul. Just recently when one of his disciples asked him how it is that he can overcome all his suffering and continue on his day with such serenity and happiness he replied when I start the day with learning and delving into the Holy pages of the Gemara this is the “cure that comes before the disease,” when he starts the day with learning the Holy Torah carries him past his suffering and he can continue his avodat hashem.
In the “work of prayer” he performed at heights unknown to the common person. All his prayers went out from the his innermost being and everyone who prayed together with him was transformed and elevated. He was also very careful to daven with a minyan and cherished this mitzvah so greatly that he even mentioned the importance of davening in a minyan every day.
The pillar of Chesed and tzedakah was part of his very essence. His house was always open to every Jew for long hours every day. The needy and downtrodden knew they could always find a listening ear and an openhand to help relieve their desperation. Before every Holiday, thanks to his supporters around the world, he was able to raise enormous funds to provide holiday needs for hundreds of families and thousands of children.
The Last Years
The Rav’s relatives and students can testify that the Rav’s last 14 years have been purely mesiret nefesh, truly a personal sacrifice. Ever since he successfully went through the lung transplant many can tell about the times when his life was hanging by a pendulum when he was suffering so much his days seemed numbered. All those who surrounded him in those days were mystified by his clear and settled mind and the way the way he received all the suffering he was sent with love. Even though he was in such a difficult situation and incredibly weak physically he still maintained his full schedule of Torah, Tefillah and Avodat Hashem. Like the the Tzaddikim of past generations.
Since his lung transplant the Rav needed to travel to the US periodically for medical checkups during these trips the Rav was hosted by his dear friends the Honorable Jack and Sarah Klein of Monsey. During these special trips many Jews from all walks of life were given the opportunity to learn from the Rav and draw closer to their Father in Heaven, Torah and Judaism. People from all walks of life eagerly sought his blessing. The Rav received all with this shining countenance and afforded a listening ear and an open loving heart. Inspiring, with his very being, helping people with their problems and bringing others back to their Loving Father in Heaven.
Recent Times
During the past few months the Rav’s health made a turn for the worse, he was hospitalized several times and all efforts were made to stabilize and improve his condition. During these incredibly difficult times he continued to lead the community worrying about each of his students and disciples in his loving fatherly way. As well as maintaining his awesome schedule of Avodat Hashem. In the past couple of weeks close followers and family members started hearing references from him about his approaching death. Three weeks ago he wrote a will specifying exactly how to carry out his funeral requesting that he be buried as quickly as possibly after his death even if this meant there was only a minyan of people there. He acquired Tachrichim and kept them available. At some points he became so weak he couldn’t get up from his bed or leave his home. Despite this, last Monday he asked to be taken to the cemetery in Tsfat in order to check himself the burial plot that had been purchased for him. While he was there he davened by the gravesite of his dear friend and student Rav Avraham Yaakov Gabbai, zt"l whose yahrzeit was approaching on the the 23rd of Tevet. The Rav repeated the date several times out loud.
Last Wednesday the Rav’s condition seemed to improve and a plane ticket was ordered for him to the US in an effort to seek medical treatment that could possibly save his life. The news spread quickly and many of his students rushed to receive his blessing before his trip. He received all who came to him, guiding them and blessing them. In retrospect we see that these days were essentially the day of a loving father saying farewell to those he was close to. During these days the Rav asked to be taken to the gravesite of Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai in Meron and was able to toivel in the Mikveh three times the last time being two days before he passed.
On Monday morning, the 23rd of Tevet, the Rav’s condition suddenly became unstable and within minutes he had returned his pure soul to his Maker. The news spread quickly, the curtain of the Aron Kadosh was removed and a great cry was heard from all around. In accordance with his instructions, preparations for the funeral began immediately. Within an hour his body as brought into the Trisker Magid Shul where the Rav davened every morning. This shul was renovated by the Rav decades ago and was home to the Rav’s daily minyanim as well as many smachot to the community. This shul had also opened it’s doors to the community on the 23rd of Tevet. The walls that were infused with so many hours of the Rav’s Torah now housed his pure body during these critical hours. The funeral procession started from the Trisker shul and preceded to the Great Breslev Shul in Kiryat Breslev that was filled with a huge crowd of his children and students and admirers form around the country. The Rav’s body was brought into the Shul great cries were heard. The great anguish was felt by all the older as well as the younger generation as all felt the most unbelievable loss of their loving father. The man who invested his very soul in each and every one of us until his last day.
After the recital of Tikkun HaKlali the 10 Psalms of Tehillim, his son Rav Nachman Kenig, shlita read parts of his will in which the Rav gave thanks to Hashem for his large and blessed family and for the merit of building the Breslev Tsfat community and its institutions. He also emphasized the importance of davening in a minyan 3 times a day and added happy is the one who merits to daven in a Breslev minyan. He also thanked all those who had helped him and Tsfat over the years. He asked that there be no eulogies only words of chizuk and only after the burial. After his sons recited Kaddish the funeral procession continued to the cemetery. Over 4,500 people attending his funeral with another 8,000 watching it on a live stream. There in the ancient cemetery of Tsfat where some of our greatest sages are buried, his tired body was laid to rest and his pure soul was allowed to rise up to the place where all is Good. During the burial a heavy mist covered the cemetery encompassing the crowd in a great cloud as the funeral concluded the cloud lifted to the sky leaving an opening where the sun shined through as if to say “my children I haven’t left you I’ve just moved from one room to the next but I’m still with you guiding you in your heart, leading you to the coming of the Moshiach and the Geula Shalayma.
With his passing all of Israel lost a true leader, who served Hashem with sincere devotion until he completely weakened his body. Everyone cherished being in his presence, with his shining countenance, calming presence and clarity of thought he offered each person advice and blessing. And despite being high above the high, all his actions were with graceful humility, as if a simple man.
The Holy City of Tsfat donned sack cloth
HaRav Kenig continued his father the Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Gedaliah Aaron tz”l's life work, with the establishment of Kiryat Breslov and the Breslev Tsfat institutions in the Holy City of Tsfat. He brought glorification back to Tsfat, by rebuilding Tsfat - ensuring her development and restoration, and he merited to see Tsfat rebuilt in his lifetime. In his will he thanked Hashem for giving him the merit to rebuild Tsfat. He truly sanctified G-d’s name with his actions and built the Breslev Tsfat Institutions to glorify G-d’s name.
The Torah learned by the hundreds of students, in the schools, yeshiva and kollels of Breslev Tsfat , re- crown the Holy City of Tsfat as a place of Torah and chesed, restoring it to its former glory .
Alongside this was his sacred mission to bring out the diamond from the rough, to bring back every lost Jewish soul. Many hundreds of Jews returned to their Father in Heaven thanks to his great influence and merit and raised generations that were Yirat Shamayim and full of Torah, which brought him great nachat. On the Chagim all of his students would come with their families to visit the Rav. Each one he would accept with a smile and he would devote time to each child, forging a connection. With his passing thousands of children have lost their adoptive grandfather.
His students and disciples were connected to him and loved him dearly. They followed his golden path of Torah and Tefillah that he laid out for them, the path of the Holy Tzaddik Rebbe Nachman of Breslev.
Fourteen years ago, he almost reached the gates of death, and only because of the outpouring of tefillah and G-d’s tremendous compassion was he saved at the last minute with a successful lung transplant. He slowly recovered and continued his Holy work and leadership, while he continued his medical treatment to strengthen himself. Though weak he did not spare himself and served G-d with all his heart and soul.
In recent times, his health had deteriorated and he had become very ill. Among the entire House of Israel and the Breslev Chassidim, in particular, they tore the Heavens with their prayers to G-d to save him and send him a complete healing. On the last day of Chanukah (Zot Chanukah) people around the world joined together in Meron, at the Kotel, in Uman and many other places all over the world, to ask, beg and pray for his health, that G-d should please send him a refuah shalayma that he could continue to lead His flock as before.
In recent days there had been some improvement in his condition, and therefore he was planning a trip to the United States to consult with doctors there. But the decree was already sealed, Oy Hashem - may He have compassion and help us now.
On Monday morning, the 23rd of Tevet, his condition suddenly deteriorated, and within minutes he returned his pure soul to its Creator. To the shock of his students and admirers couldn't digest the bad news - that a Holy storm suddenly blew and took up to Heaven his precious soul with a kiss of death.
When the bitter news came broken cries echoed out of the Great Breslev Synagogue, Kiryat Breslov and throughout Tsfat -the Holy Ark has been taken from Tsfat.
His Youth
HaRav Kenig, zt”l was born on the 8th of Cheshvan 74 years ago in the Holy City of Yerushalyam. He was the son of Reb Gedaliah and Esther Yehudit Kenig. When HaRav Kenig was born Reb Gedaliah was already known as one of the leaders of Breslev Chassidut and was amoungst the biggest students of HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Avraham Shternhertz who was one of the elders and main leaders of Breslev Chassidut. While holding the newborn Elazar Mordechai, Rav Gedaliah cried out "What a great soul Hashem has given me!"
HaRav Elazar Mordechai attended Etz Chaim Talmud Torah and even then was already known as a one headed for greatness. Also his father Reb Gedaliah would say to his students that his son was destined for distinction in Avodat Hashem. He then attended Breslev Bnai Brak for yeshiva where he was a tremendous matmid who would learn day and night both the Talmud and Halacha along with the teachings of Rebbe Nachman. He then attended Yeshivat Mir where he was known to learn for 18 hours straight.
He married his Rebbetzin, Rebbetzin Chaya who stood at his side throughout his life and helped him in all his actions and avodat Hashem. She is the daughter of Rav Avraham Yehuda Berger, z”l from the important and long standing members of Bnai Brak. It was in Bnai Brak that he first built his house, learning in the Breslev Kollel in Bnai Brak. His greatness was immediately recognized and kollel and community members surrounded the young Rav, basking in his light.
Tsfat will Suddenly Be Built
During the Rav's youth Reb Gedaliah was investing all of his energy in following the directive given to him by his teacher HaRav Shternhartz, zt"l to rebuild the city of Tsfat, which Rav Shternhartz declared would "bring benefit to the entire world." The Rav, zt”l, together with his brothers, shlita, stood by his side with heart and soul to complete the great vision of rebuilding Tsfat which, at that time, appeared to many to be a delusion. To the world’s tremendous sorrow, Rav Gedaliah suddenly passed away leaving his dream unfulfilled. On the 23rd of Tammuz when he was in Manchester, England for the purpose of raising funds to rebuild Tsfat, Reb Gedaliah had a heart attack and returned his pure soul to its Maker, he was only 59 years old.
Before leaving for England Rav Gedaliah entrusted his vision to the Rav, zt”l. Within the 30 days after the passing of Rav Gedaliah, the Rav left Bani Brak and moved to Tsfat. He immediately began his work to fulfill his father’s vision. He worked day and night with tremendous miserat nefesh and with Hashem's help and his hard work he established a Talmud Torah, schools for girls, yeshiva and kollels for Talmudic scholars, a special education school and institutions of chesed and tzedakah. Until he merited seeing a beautiful community flourish and his and his father's dream actualized- a restored Tsfat.
Pillars of the World
All of his life, at every moment and in every situation, the Rav diligently learned the Holy Torah for long hours. Every day of his busy and tiring with his role of running the Nachal Novea institutions and accepting petitioners, offering advice and blessings. After the last person left, the Rav would sit and begin learning, his tired face and body would appear rejuvenated and he would learn until he was completely exhausted. At every moment the Rav would repeat and emphasize to his students the main points of Avodat Hashem as laid out by Rebbe Nachman of Breslev was to learn Torah and to daven with all of one’s heart and soul. Just recently when one of his disciples asked him how it is that he can overcome all his suffering and continue on his day with such serenity and happiness he replied when I start the day with learning and delving into the Holy pages of the Gemara this is the “cure that comes before the disease,” when he starts the day with learning the Holy Torah carries him past his suffering and he can continue his avodat hashem.
In the “work of prayer” he performed at heights unknown to the common person. All his prayers went out from the his innermost being and everyone who prayed together with him was transformed and elevated. He was also very careful to daven with a minyan and cherished this mitzvah so greatly that he even mentioned the importance of davening in a minyan every day.
The pillar of Chesed and tzedakah was part of his very essence. His house was always open to every Jew for long hours every day. The needy and downtrodden knew they could always find a listening ear and an openhand to help relieve their desperation. Before every Holiday, thanks to his supporters around the world, he was able to raise enormous funds to provide holiday needs for hundreds of families and thousands of children.
The Last Years
The Rav’s relatives and students can testify that the Rav’s last 14 years have been purely mesiret nefesh, truly a personal sacrifice. Ever since he successfully went through the lung transplant many can tell about the times when his life was hanging by a pendulum when he was suffering so much his days seemed numbered. All those who surrounded him in those days were mystified by his clear and settled mind and the way the way he received all the suffering he was sent with love. Even though he was in such a difficult situation and incredibly weak physically he still maintained his full schedule of Torah, Tefillah and Avodat Hashem. Like the the Tzaddikim of past generations.
Since his lung transplant the Rav needed to travel to the US periodically for medical checkups during these trips the Rav was hosted by his dear friends the Honorable Jack and Sarah Klein of Monsey. During these special trips many Jews from all walks of life were given the opportunity to learn from the Rav and draw closer to their Father in Heaven, Torah and Judaism. People from all walks of life eagerly sought his blessing. The Rav received all with this shining countenance and afforded a listening ear and an open loving heart. Inspiring, with his very being, helping people with their problems and bringing others back to their Loving Father in Heaven.
Recent Times
During the past few months the Rav’s health made a turn for the worse, he was hospitalized several times and all efforts were made to stabilize and improve his condition. During these incredibly difficult times he continued to lead the community worrying about each of his students and disciples in his loving fatherly way. As well as maintaining his awesome schedule of Avodat Hashem. In the past couple of weeks close followers and family members started hearing references from him about his approaching death. Three weeks ago he wrote a will specifying exactly how to carry out his funeral requesting that he be buried as quickly as possibly after his death even if this meant there was only a minyan of people there. He acquired Tachrichim and kept them available. At some points he became so weak he couldn’t get up from his bed or leave his home. Despite this, last Monday he asked to be taken to the cemetery in Tsfat in order to check himself the burial plot that had been purchased for him. While he was there he davened by the gravesite of his dear friend and student Rav Avraham Yaakov Gabbai, zt"l whose yahrzeit was approaching on the the 23rd of Tevet. The Rav repeated the date several times out loud.
Last Wednesday the Rav’s condition seemed to improve and a plane ticket was ordered for him to the US in an effort to seek medical treatment that could possibly save his life. The news spread quickly and many of his students rushed to receive his blessing before his trip. He received all who came to him, guiding them and blessing them. In retrospect we see that these days were essentially the day of a loving father saying farewell to those he was close to. During these days the Rav asked to be taken to the gravesite of Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai in Meron and was able to toivel in the Mikveh three times the last time being two days before he passed.
On Monday morning, the 23rd of Tevet, the Rav’s condition suddenly became unstable and within minutes he had returned his pure soul to his Maker. The news spread quickly, the curtain of the Aron Kadosh was removed and a great cry was heard from all around. In accordance with his instructions, preparations for the funeral began immediately. Within an hour his body as brought into the Trisker Magid Shul where the Rav davened every morning. This shul was renovated by the Rav decades ago and was home to the Rav’s daily minyanim as well as many smachot to the community. This shul had also opened it’s doors to the community on the 23rd of Tevet. The walls that were infused with so many hours of the Rav’s Torah now housed his pure body during these critical hours. The funeral procession started from the Trisker shul and preceded to the Great Breslev Shul in Kiryat Breslev that was filled with a huge crowd of his children and students and admirers form around the country. The Rav’s body was brought into the Shul great cries were heard. The great anguish was felt by all the older as well as the younger generation as all felt the most unbelievable loss of their loving father. The man who invested his very soul in each and every one of us until his last day.
After the recital of Tikkun HaKlali the 10 Psalms of Tehillim, his son Rav Nachman Kenig, shlita read parts of his will in which the Rav gave thanks to Hashem for his large and blessed family and for the merit of building the Breslev Tsfat community and its institutions. He also emphasized the importance of davening in a minyan 3 times a day and added happy is the one who merits to daven in a Breslev minyan. He also thanked all those who had helped him and Tsfat over the years. He asked that there be no eulogies only words of chizuk and only after the burial. After his sons recited Kaddish the funeral procession continued to the cemetery. Over 4,500 people attending his funeral with another 8,000 watching it on a live stream. There in the ancient cemetery of Tsfat where some of our greatest sages are buried, his tired body was laid to rest and his pure soul was allowed to rise up to the place where all is Good. During the burial a heavy mist covered the cemetery encompassing the crowd in a great cloud as the funeral concluded the cloud lifted to the sky leaving an opening where the sun shined through as if to say “my children I haven’t left you I’ve just moved from one room to the next but I’m still with you guiding you in your heart, leading you to the coming of the Moshiach and the Geula Shalayma.
