YS GOLD 

With heavy hearts, we report upon the passing of Harav Aaron Brizel, zt”l, the Dzirka Rebbe of Boro Park, a great Tzaddik known for his hachnosas orchim. He was 73 years of age and suffered from an illness in recent months. 

The Rebbe, zt”l, was born in Yerushalayim on 27 Nissan 5713 (1953), to his father, the righteous Rabbi Pinchas Brizel, zt”l, one of the prominent chassidim of Karlin and a member of the renowned Brizel family, among the builders and righteous figures of Yerushalayim shel Maalah, and to his mother, Mrs. Chanah Yuta, a”h, daughter of the gaon Rabbi Chaim, hy”d, who served as a dayan in Kleinwardein.

In his youth, he absorbed Torah and yiras Shamayim in the atmosphere of Yerushalayim of old . He was privileged to bask in the presence of his great rebbe, Rav Aharon Baruch, zy”a, eldest son of the Baal Ha“Sullam,” zy”a. 

From him, he received his unique approach to avodas Hashem, the study of the hidden dimensions of Torah and Chassidus. 

He later established his home in the United States and founded the court of Dzhirkah. His beis midrash in Boro Park, as well as his beis midrash in Jerusalem, served as bastions of chesed and renowned hospitality. The Rebbe, zt”l, was known as an extraordinary host who opened the doors of his home and his heart wide to every downtrodden Yid, giving every Yid the feeling of a warm and welcoming home, both in the United States and in Eretz Yisrael.

The Rebbe, zt”l, initially opened his chassidic following not as a Rebbe, but as a mekubal who taught Kabbalah according to the Ashlag tradition. A number of talmidim joined him and eventually became his chassidim. Over the years, he built his home and beis midrash on Rechov Lapidos in the Beis Yisrael neighborhood of Yerushalayim, where he would feed dozens of young men every Shabbos, who would partake of the meals at his table.

Those who knew him and were close to him related that despite the gabbaim and chassidim who surrounded him, the Rebbe personally practiced extraordinary humility and kindness.

At the same time, his beis midrash served as a gathering place for chassidim, talmidei chachamim, and seekers. The Rebbe, zt”l, was renowned for his passionate avodah of tefillah, his warm and heartfelt davening, and his rare combination of profound insight into the inner dimensions of Torah with simplicity, a radiant countenance, and an approachable chassidic warmth that drew every yid closer.

During the past year, the Rebbe, zt”l, endured profound anguish and a terrible family tragedy with the untimely passing of his granddaughter, the young Mrs. Miriam Sarah Bard, a”h, daughter of the esteemed Rav Moshe Shmuel Rothenberg, shlita, director of the renowned chesed organization Rav Lehoshia. She passed away at the age of only 24 following a severe illness. 

The Rebbe accepted the Heavenly decree with love and in silence, and continued to lead his community with complete devotion even while enduring great suffering.

In recent weeks, the Rebbe, zt”l, had grown weaker, and his medical condition experienced ups and downs. In recent days, his condition deteriorated severely, and he was hospitalized in a New York hospital, in need of abundant rachmei Shamayim.

Klal Yisrael, and especially his chassidim and admirers, poured out their hearts in tefillah and supplication for the recovery of Rabbi Aharon ben Chanah Yuta. Alas, the decree had been sealed, and his pure soul ascended to the Heavenly Heights.

He leaves behind a beautiful generations of upright descendants: sons and daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren, disseminators of Torah and yiras Shamayim who follow in his path and continue his exalted legacy in chassidic communities throughout the United States and Eretz Yisrael.

The levaya will take place 3 pm at his Bhm"d in Boro Park.

Yehi zichro baruch.