It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Boruch Leibowitz zt”l, grandson of Hagaon Rav Boruch Ber Leibowitz zt”l, the Birkas Shmuel. He was 80 years old.
Rav Boruch was born in Yerushalayim, the youngest son of his father, Rav Yaakov Moshe Leibowitz, Rosh Yeshivas Kamenitz and a son of Rav Boruch Ber. His mother, Rebbetzin Tzaita Leah, was a daughter of Rav Moshe Ber Movoshovitz, rov of Lechovitz.
Even in his childhood, his abilities were evident, as he immersed himself in limud haTorah day and night. He learned at the Chevron Yeshiva in Yerushalayim, where he endeared himself to the roshei yeshiva.
He married his wife, Giveret Tova Leibowitz, well-known menaheles at the BJJ Seminary in Yerushalayim.
Rav Boruch was highly esteemed in Brisker circles and maintained a close friendship with the sons of Brisker Rov, particularly Rav Meir Soloveitchik. He was a mechutan several times over with Rav Berel Soloveitchik and Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik.
Although Rav Boruch was born after the passing of his grandfather, Rav Boruch Ber, his father, Rav Yaakov Moshe, was uncertain about the fate of his father-in-law, Rav Moshe Ber Movoshovitz, so he named him Boruch, but not Ber.
Rav Boruch conducted himself with pashtus, simplicity and profound humility, traveling by bus like any ordinary person and not seeking any honor whatsoever. He dedicated himself to Torah learning throughout the day every day, accompanied by his chavrusos.
He leaves behind children and grandchildren continuing in his path.
His brother, Rav Chaim Shlomo Leibowitz, Rosh Yeshivas Kamenitz and Ponovezh, passed away about eight years ago.
The levayah was held last night at his home on Rechov Sorotzkin in Yerushalayim and kevurah took place on Har Hazeisim.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}
“Although Rav Boruch was born after the passing of his grandfather, Rav Boruch Ber, his father, Rav Yaakov Moshe, was uncertain about the fate of his father-in-law, Rav Moshe Ber Movoshovitz, so he named him Boruch, but not Ber.”
Rav Boruch Ber’s name (as he was called to the Torah) was Boruch Dov, so I am not sure what the issue should have been unless, of course, his shver’s name was Moshe Dov.
What an awful blunder not to have named him “Ber” as well; Even if his maternal grandfather had been alive, it would have been a huge honor to the maternal grandfather, because the odds of they being descendants of Rav Yehudoh haChossid are exceedingly minuscule, and this Tzavo’oh written by Rav Yehudoh heChossid not to name after living ancestors only applies to his descendants & to no-one else.
How do you know you’re not a descendant of Rav Yehudah Hachossid who lived about 900 years ago?
How do you know that today’s converts are not a Moabite nor an Amoleki? Bottom line:- אחרי רבים להטות