YS GOLD 

Indescribable pain and mourning has now descended upon theworld of Torah and chassidus with the arrival of the bitter news of the passing the Rebbe of Beis Shmuel Tzvi–Spinka, zt”l, Harav Hatzaddik Rabbi Yosef Meir Horowitz, zt”l, who left this world Wednesday night to ascend the World of Truth at the young age of fifty-eight.

“The sun has set before its time” is the fitting expression for this terrible loss, as we mourn the untimely passing of the Spinka Rebbe, zt”l, who exerted a profound influence of Torah and Chassidus upon Jewish people. He was an exalted personality who warmed the hearts of Yidden toward their Father in Heaven, continuing the beautiful chain of holiness of his saintly ancestors of the Spinka dynasty. Tragically, he was torn from us so young, at the height of his avodas hakodesh.

The Rebbe, zt”l, was the eldest son of the Rebbe, Rabbi Yissachar Dov Berish of Spinka, zt”l, author of Dover Meisharim, and the beloved grandson of the Spinka Rebbe, the Rebbe Hershele, zt”l, who held him with exceptional affection. He grew up during his formative years on the lap of his illustrious grandfather, learning Torah and Chassidus from him, basking in his radiant light and absorbing the many treasures that he imparted to him.

On the seventeenth of Tammuz, 5728 (1968), the Rebbe, zt”l, was born in Williamsburg, the eldest son of his father, the Spinka Rebbe, the holy Rabbi Berish, zt”l, and his mother, Rebbetzin Bluma Sarah, a”h, who tragically lost her life in a terrible accident, rachmana litzlan, twenty years ago. She was the daughter of the gaon and tzaddik, Rabbi Elazar Meislish, zt”l, ABD Uhel.

With a magnificent lineage reaching back to the tzaddikim and kedoshim of earlier generations, the talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov Hakadosh and their talmidim, he was a true benon shelkedoshim. 

As a grandson of the Spinka Rebbe, zt”l, he was raised in an elevated atmosphere, aspiring to excel in the ways of Torah and yiras Shamayim, with hasmadah in Torah and refined middos—qualities in which the Rebbe, zt”l, distinguished himself throughout his life. He was renowned for his nobility, refinement, and delicacy in every respect.

As a child, the Rebbe, zt”l, learned in the Spinka Talmud Torah in Williamsburg and was deeply beloved by his grandfather, the holy Rabbi Hershele, zt”l. Upon reaching marriageable age, he was chosen as the son-in-law of, yibadel l’chaim, the Rebbe of Kretchnif, shlit”a, who resides in Rechovot. Together with the distinguished Rebbetzin, t’lit”a, the Rebbe established his beautiful home, blessed with children and grandchildren. 

Already as a young man, the Rebbe embarked upon his rich career of harbatzas haTorah. He served as the Spinka Rosh Kollel where he was a great marbitz Torah. Through his extraordinary dedication to every individual and his rare warmth toward every Jew, he succeeded in elevating many Yiddentoward their Father in Heaven, drawing them closer to their Father Above, step by step.

With the passing of his revered father, the Spinka Rebbe, the holy Rabbi Berish, zt”l, author of Dover Meisharim, during Chol HaMoed Sukkos 5768 (2007), the Rebbe, zt”l, as the eldest son, was appointed to succeed his father in the leadership of the chassidus.

The Rebbe took upon himself the crown of leadership with great devotion, influencing his chassidim and admirers with the full measure of his abilities, and bringing Torah and Chassidus to them on a broad and powerful scale.

Tragically, the Rebbe, zt”l, was taken from this world at the height of his flourishing. More than a year ago, a terrible illness, R”l, was discovered in the Rebbe. Despite looking forward to a complete recovery and hoping that the Rebbe would overcome the illness, his condition deteriorated greatly, R”l, particularly over the past several days. 

Wednesday night, the Rebbe returned his pure soul to his Creator at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, surrounded by his children and members of his family.

The Rebbe leaves behind a truly illustrious family who will remain a credit to him, and a beautiful legacy of instilling Torah, chassidus, and Yiras Shomayim into the hearts of countless Yidden. 

The levaya will take place in Williamsburg at the Rebbe’s beis medrash at 12:00 today, and kevurah will take place at the Spinka Beis Hachaim in New Jersey. 

Yehi zichro baruch.