A heavy pall descended this week over the Boyaner chassidus and the broader Ruzhiner Dynasty court in both Eretz Yisroel and the United States following the passing of three prominent chassidim and talmidei chachamim who were deeply connected to the late Boyaner Rebbe, Rav Mordechai Shlomo Friedman.

The three men — Reb Nochum Halevi Schorr zt”l, Reb Chaim Dovid Ullman z”l, and Rav Eliyahu Shmuel Heftler zt”l — were regarded as remnants of an earlier generation of devoted chassidim who remained unwaveringly attached to the rebbes of the Ruzhiner dynasty throughout their lives.

Reb Nochum Halevi Schorr zt”l Passes Away Suddenly on Shavuos

The first heartbreaking news came on Motzoei Chag HaShavuos with the sudden passing of the esteemed chossid Reb Nochum Halevi Schorr zt”l, son of Reb Chaim Yehoshua zt”l and son-in-law of Reb Shraga Feitel Kahana zt”l.

Those who knew him described him as a refined and noble individual whose entire life reflected humility, sincerity, and quiet devotion. A talmid chacham with broad Torah knowledge, he was known for conducting himself with simplicity and purity, never seeking recognition or honor for himself.

He greeted every person warmly and radiated joy and kindness. Deeply connected to Torah, avodas Hashem, and all matters of kedusha, he maintained a lifelong bond with the rebbes of the Ruzhin-Boyaner dynasty.

Reb Nochum was especially attached with complete devotion to the Boyaner Rebbe zt”l and later to his son, the current Boyaner Rebbe shlit”a, beginning from the start of the latter’s leadership in 1988.

He passed away suddenly during Shavuos. His levayah was held Sunday afternoon from Shamgar Funeral Home to Har Hamenuchos, where he was laid to rest.

A Pillar of the Boyaner Kloiz in Beitar: Reb Chaim Dovid Ullman z”l

On Sunday, word spread of the passing of the distinguished chossid Reb Chaim Dovid Ullman z”l of Los Angeles and Beitar Illit, one of the elder and respected members of Boyan chassidus. He was the son of Rav Moshe Naftali zt”l and son-in-law of Reb Simcha Bunim Schatz z”l.

Reb Chaim Dovid was admired as an upright and G-d-fearing Jew who dedicated fixed times to Torah study and devoted himself wholeheartedly to Torah and chassidus. He was known for his acts of kindness, generosity, and constant efforts on behalf of Torah institutions and communal causes.

Those close to him recalled his warm smile and welcoming demeanor, along with his complete humility and bitul before his rabbeim — the late Boyaner Rebbe zt”l and the current Boyaner Rebbe shlit”a — from whom he drew tremendous inspiration.

After relocating from Los Angeles to Beitar Illit, he became one of the founders and primary supporters of the Boyaner kloiz “Tiferes Aharon” in the city, helping establish it as a central makom Torah and tefillah for local chassidim.

His levayah took place Tuesday evening from Shamgar Funeral Home, proceeding through the central Boyaner kloiz on Malchei Yisroel Street before continuing to Har Hamenuchos for kevurah.

Holocaust Survivor and Veteran Rav of Manhattan: Rav Eliyahu Shmuel Heftler zt”l

On Tuesday, the Boyaner community in America was shaken by the news of the passing of Rav Eliyahu Shmuel Heftler zt”l, av beis din of Dukla on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and one of the most respected rabbinic figures in Boyaner circles in the United States. He was in his nineties.

Rav Heftler was counted among the dwindling survivors of the prewar Torah world. A Holocaust survivor who endured the horrors of the war and rebuilt his life afterward in America, he established his home and led the Dukla kehillah in Manhattan with warmth, righteousness, and grace.

For decades, he stood as one of the most distinguished figures in Boyaner chassidus in America. He also maintained exceptionally close ties with the courts of Skulen Hasidic Dynasty, Ruzhin, and numerous revered tzaddikim and rebbes who held him in the highest esteem.

He was especially beloved as a veteran mechanech who taught generations of students as the cherished rebbi of a third-grade class at Bobov Yeshiva, where he left a lasting impact of Torah and Yiras Shomayim upon countless talmidim. His brother, Rav Avrohom Heftler zt”l, was likewise a renowned talmid chacham and longtime fourth-grade rebbi in Bobov.

The levayah departed from the Boyaner kloiz in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn, where many accompanied him on his final journey.

T’hei Nishmasam Tzerurah B’Tzror HaChaim.

{Matzav.com}