Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer
Encyclopedia
Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer is the third and current Rebbe
of the Pittsburg
Hasidic
dynasty. Since succeeding his father, Grand Rabbi Avraham Abba Leifer
, as Rebbe in 1990, he has expanded the Hasidic presence in Ashdod, Israel with new schools and institutions, and increased the number of Pittsburger families to 100 in Ashdod. He also shepherds Pittsburg Hasidim in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Beit Hilkia
, New York
and California
. He and his Rebbetzin, who speak English
, Hebrew
and Yiddish
, have a personal relationship with each member of the Hasidut.
and the grandson of Grand Rabbi Yosef Leifer
, the founder of the Hasidut in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
in 1924. Rabbi Mordechai Yissachar Ber was named after his great-grandfather, Rabbi Yissachar Dov Ber (Bertche) Leifer of Navordna-Satmar, and his great-great grandfather, Rabbi Mordechai of Nadvorna
. He traces his paternal ancestry back to Grand Rabbi Meir the Great of Premishlan
, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov.
He was born in Newark, New Jersey
, where his father taught Torah and Hasidut and eventually founded a Hasidic yeshiva there.
In 1970, his father moved to Ashdod, Israel. He learned in Monsey, Sanz (in Netanya), and then in Lakewood.
Rabbi Mordechai Yissachar Ber married Miriam Liebes in New York. His wife is the daughter of Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Liebes, av beis din
of the Iggud Harabbanim (Rabbinical Alliance) of America.
In 1982, his father opened a yeshiva in Ashdod and requested that he come to Israel and lead the yeshiva. He arrived with his family and in addition to leading the yeshiva, he assisted his father in opening Torah institutions and bringing secular Jews back to Torah and mitzvos
.
When his father died on 6 January 1990 (10 Tevet
5750), he acceded to the leadership of the Pittsburgh Hasidim. He is one of several Hasidic Rebbes living in Ashdod; the others are the Tolna Rebbe, the Neshchiz Rebbe, and the Melitzer Rebbe.
with over 300 students, two yeshivas with 90 students, and a halacha kollel
, Gemara
kollel, early-morning kollel and night kollel for married men. The Hasidut has also attracted formerly non-observant Jews through the Rebbe's shiurim (classes), tishen
and personal interaction. Pittsburgher families and institutions are concentrated in the Rova Gimel and Rova Zayin (third and seventh quarters) neighborhoods of Ashdod.
Like his father before him, the current Pittsburger Rebbe leads exuberant tishen
on Friday nights and after the Shabbat
morning meal, as well as a Seudah Shlishit
which goes late into the night accompanied by the Rebbe's words of mussar
. Pittsburg is also famous for its heartfelt nigguin
, many of which have been composed by the present Rebbe. These niggunim are sung both within the Hasidut and at the tishen of other Rebbes, and have been recorded on musical albums.
Rebbe
Rebbe , which means master, teacher, or mentor, is a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew word Rabbi. It often refers to the leader of a Hasidic Jewish movement...
of the Pittsburg
Pittsburg (Hasidic dynasty)
Pittsburg is a Hasidic dynasty founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1924 by Rabbi Yosef Leifer, a Hungarian rabbi and descendant of Rabbi Mordechai of Nadvorna...
Hasidic
Hasidic Judaism
Hasidic Judaism or Hasidism, from the Hebrew —Ḥasidut in Sephardi, Chasidus in Ashkenazi, meaning "piety" , is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that promotes spirituality and joy through the popularisation and internalisation of Jewish mysticism as the fundamental aspects of the Jewish faith...
dynasty. Since succeeding his father, Grand Rabbi Avraham Abba Leifer
Avraham Abba Leifer
Avraham Abba Leifer was the second Rebbe of the Pittsburg Hasidic dynasty and the instigator for the relocation of the Hasidut from its original location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the Israeli coastal city of Ashdod...
, as Rebbe in 1990, he has expanded the Hasidic presence in Ashdod, Israel with new schools and institutions, and increased the number of Pittsburger families to 100 in Ashdod. He also shepherds Pittsburg Hasidim in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Beit Hilkia
Beit Hilkia
Beit Hilkia is an ultra-orthodox moshav in central Israel. Located in the Shephelah near Gedera, it falls under the jurisdiction of Nahal Sorek Regional Council. In 2006, it had a population of 470....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He and his Rebbetzin, who speak English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
and Yiddish
Yiddish language
Yiddish is a High German language of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, spoken throughout the world. It developed as a fusion of German dialects with Hebrew, Aramaic, Slavic languages and traces of Romance languages...
, have a personal relationship with each member of the Hasidut.
Early life
Rabbi Mordechai Yissachar Ber is the son of Grand Rabbi Avraham Abba LeiferAvraham Abba Leifer
Avraham Abba Leifer was the second Rebbe of the Pittsburg Hasidic dynasty and the instigator for the relocation of the Hasidut from its original location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the Israeli coastal city of Ashdod...
and the grandson of Grand Rabbi Yosef Leifer
Yosef Leifer
Yosef Leifer was the first Rebbe and founder of the Pittsburg Hasidic dynasty in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which he led for 42 years...
, the founder of the Hasidut in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
in 1924. Rabbi Mordechai Yissachar Ber was named after his great-grandfather, Rabbi Yissachar Dov Ber (Bertche) Leifer of Navordna-Satmar, and his great-great grandfather, Rabbi Mordechai of Nadvorna
Mordechai of Nadvorna
Rabbi Mordechai Leifer was the son of Rabbi Yesochor Bertche Leifer , author of Sisrei Torah, and a great-great-grandson of Rabbi Meir "The Great" of Premishlan....
. He traces his paternal ancestry back to Grand Rabbi Meir the Great of Premishlan
Premishlan (Hasidic dynasty)
Premishlan is a Hasidic dynasty.It was founded by Grand Rabbi Meir Hagadol of Peremyshliany - Dynasty :Grand Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism*The Great Grand Rabbi Meir Hagadol of Premishlan , disciple of the Baal Shem Tov...
, a disciple of the Baal Shem Tov.
He was born in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, where his father taught Torah and Hasidut and eventually founded a Hasidic yeshiva there.
Move to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
In 1966, after the death of his grandfather, Grand Rabbi Yosef Leifer, who served the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, religious community for more than four decades, his father, Rabbi Avraham Abba, accepted the invitation of the Pittsburgh congregation to succeed his father as Rebbe.In 1970, his father moved to Ashdod, Israel. He learned in Monsey, Sanz (in Netanya), and then in Lakewood.
Rabbi Mordechai Yissachar Ber married Miriam Liebes in New York. His wife is the daughter of Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Liebes, av beis din
Beth din
A beth din, bet din, beit din or beis din is a rabbinical court of Judaism. In ancient times, it was the building block of the legal system in the Biblical Land of Israel...
of the Iggud Harabbanim (Rabbinical Alliance) of America.
In 1982, his father opened a yeshiva in Ashdod and requested that he come to Israel and lead the yeshiva. He arrived with his family and in addition to leading the yeshiva, he assisted his father in opening Torah institutions and bringing secular Jews back to Torah and mitzvos
Mitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
.
When his father died on 6 January 1990 (10 Tevet
Tevet
Tebet is the fourth month of the civil year and the tenth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. It follows Kislev and precedes Shevat. It is a winter month of 29 days...
5750), he acceded to the leadership of the Pittsburgh Hasidim. He is one of several Hasidic Rebbes living in Ashdod; the others are the Tolna Rebbe, the Neshchiz Rebbe, and the Melitzer Rebbe.
Current activities
The current Pittsburger Rebbe presides over the Pittsburg educational system which includes a chederCheder
A Cheder is a traditional elementary school teaching the basics of Judaism and the Hebrew language.-History:...
with over 300 students, two yeshivas with 90 students, and a halacha kollel
Kollel
A kollel is an institute for full-time, advanced study of the Talmud and rabbinic literature. Like a yeshiva, a kollel features shiurim and learning sedarim ; unlike a yeshiva, the student body of a kollel are all married men...
, Gemara
Gemara
The Gemara is the component of the Talmud comprising rabbinical analysis of and commentary on the Mishnah. After the Mishnah was published by Rabbi Judah the Prince The Gemara (also transliterated Gemora or, less commonly, Gemorra; from Aramaic גמרא gamar; literally, "[to] study" or "learning by...
kollel, early-morning kollel and night kollel for married men. The Hasidut has also attracted formerly non-observant Jews through the Rebbe's shiurim (classes), tishen
Tish (Hasidic celebration)
A tish , also spelled tisch, is a gathering of Hasidim around their Rebbe. It may consist of speeches on Torah subjects, singing of melodies known as niggunim and zemirot , with refreshments being served. Hasidim see it as a moment of great holiness...
and personal interaction. Pittsburgher families and institutions are concentrated in the Rova Gimel and Rova Zayin (third and seventh quarters) neighborhoods of Ashdod.
Like his father before him, the current Pittsburger Rebbe leads exuberant tishen
Tish (Hasidic celebration)
A tish , also spelled tisch, is a gathering of Hasidim around their Rebbe. It may consist of speeches on Torah subjects, singing of melodies known as niggunim and zemirot , with refreshments being served. Hasidim see it as a moment of great holiness...
on Friday nights and after the Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
morning meal, as well as a Seudah Shlishit
Seudah Shlishit
Seudah Shlishit is the "third meal" customarily eaten by Sabbath-observing Jews on Shabbat .-Practices:According to Halakha, the meal is to be eaten in the afternoon...
which goes late into the night accompanied by the Rebbe's words of mussar
Mussar movement
The Musar movement is a Jewish ethical, educational and cultural movement that developed in 19th century Eastern Europe, particularly among Orthodox Lithuanian Jews. The Hebrew term Musar , is from the book of Proverbs 1:2 meaning instruction, discipline, or conduct...
. Pittsburg is also famous for its heartfelt nigguin
Nigun
A nigun or niggun is a form of Jewish religious song or tune sung by groups. It is vocal music, often with repetitive sounds such as "bim-bim-bam" or "ai-ai-ai!" instead of formal lyrics. Sometimes, Bible verses or quotes from other classical Jewish texts are sung repetitively to form a nigun...
, many of which have been composed by the present Rebbe. These niggunim are sung both within the Hasidut and at the tishen of other Rebbes, and have been recorded on musical albums.
Rebbes of Pittsburg
- Yosef LeiferYosef LeiferYosef Leifer was the first Rebbe and founder of the Pittsburg Hasidic dynasty in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which he led for 42 years...
, the Tzidkas Yosef (1891–1961) - Avraham Abba LeiferAvraham Abba LeiferAvraham Abba Leifer was the second Rebbe of the Pittsburg Hasidic dynasty and the instigator for the relocation of the Hasidut from its original location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the Israeli coastal city of Ashdod...
(1918–1990) - Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer