The Yerushalayim community is mourning the petirah of Reb Pesach Krishevsky zt”l, one of the city’s beloved and colorful longtime personalities, who was known for decades as the legendary drummer at Yerushalmi weddings and who miraculously survived the horrific 2015 terror attack on Rechov Malchei Yisroel. He was 90 years old.
Known affectionately throughout Yerushalayim as the “Yerushalmi Poiker,” Reb Pesach spent decades bringing joy to generations of chassanim and kallos. With his familiar drum, or poik, in hand, he became an inseparable part of countless Yerushalmi chasunos, tishen and other simchos, particularly in the circles surrounding the old-time Yerushalmi community.
Those who knew him remembered far more than his music. Reb Pesach was a figure of warmth, simplicity and genuine ahavas Yisroel, whose cheerful presence and infectious enthusiasm made him recognizable to generations of Yerushalmim.
Reb Pesach was born on 23 Nissan 5696/1936 to his father, Reb Yitzchok Zev Krishevsky z”l, and his mother, Mrs. Rochel Krishevsky a”h.
Upon reaching marriageable age, he married his wife, Mrs. Chaya Bracha Krishevsky a”h, a daughter of Reb Chaim Rubinfein z”l. She was niftar in 2021.
Reb Pesach became known far beyond the circles of Yerushalayim following the devastating terror attack that took place during the wave of Palestinian terrorism in 2015.
On the morning of 3 Tishrei 5776, Reb Pesach was standing at a bus stop on Malchei Yisroel in the Geulah neighborhood of Yerushalayim together with his cousin, Rav Yeshaya Akiva Krishevsky Hy”d. A terrorist drove his vehicle into the two men at high speed and then emerged from the car armed with a large knife and continued his murderous assault.
Rav Yeshaya Akiva was murdered al kiddush Hashem at the scene. Reb Pesach sustained devastating injuries and was rushed in critical condition to Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center.
What followed was regarded by his family and friends as nothing short of a remarkable neis.
Despite the severity of his injuries and the grim medical outlook, Reb Pesach survived. With multitudes of people davening for his recovery, his condition improved, and he ultimately regained his strength and was able to return to his feet.
Even while hospitalized, Reb Pesach remained intensely focused on avodas Hashem. During his recovery, he publicly spoke out against chillul Shabbos, displaying the same uncompromising commitment to kavod Shomayim that had characterized his life. He declared that the zechus of Shemiras Shabbos serves as a protection and shelter for Klal Yisroel.
After leaving the hospital, Reb Pesach returned to the exact location on Malchei Yisroel Street where the terror attack had occurred.
Accompanied by relatives and friends, he stood at the site where he had nearly lost his life and, overcome with emotion, recited the bracha of “She’asah li neis bamakom hazeh,” thanking Hashem for the miracle that had taken place there.
His recovery eventually brought him back to something that had defined much of his life: bringing simcha to others.
Reb Pesach once again picked up his drum and returned to simchos, continuing to bring joy to chassanim and kallos. He also merited to dance at the celebrations of his own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Just several years ago, moving footage showed the elderly Reb Pesach dancing for an extended period at the Chumash seudah of a great-grandson at Talmud Torah Torah V’Yirah in Beit Shemesh. For those who remembered the images of him fighting for his life after the terror attack, the sight of him dancing years later was particularly poignant.
Friends and acquaintances described Reb Pesach as a deeply yarei Shomayim Yid who lived with temimus and greeted others with warmth. Expressions of gratitude to the Ribono Shel Olam were constantly on his lips.
His personality was marked by pashtus, anavah and an ayin tovah. These qualities, together with the happiness he brought to others, made him a beloved figure throughout the Yerushalmi community.
Reb Pesach shared a particularly close relationship with Rav Yitzchok Yaakov Weiss zt”l, the Minchas Yitzchok and Gaavad of the Eidah Hachareidis, whom he served as a gabbai.
He was also deeply attached to the Gaavad, Rav Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss zt”l, and would visit his home in Yerushalayim’s Gush 80 neighborhood each week.
Reb Pesach endured profound personal tragedy during his lifetime, losing both a son and a daughter. His daughter, Mrs. Chava Sarel Yehudis Stern a”h, was the wife of Rav Chaim Stern, one of the prominent rabbanim of Kehillas Hamasmidim. His son, Reb Chaim Shalom Krishevsky zt”l, was a distinguished member of the Rachmastrivka kehillah.
Through those painful losses, Reb Pesach accepted the gezeirah with emunah and quiet strength.
He leaves behind a large and distinguished family of sons and daughters, along with hundreds of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who continue in the path of Torah and chassidus that he cherished throughout his life.
The levayah was held Friday morning from his home at 61 Rechov Rabbi Elazar in Beit Shemesh. A second levayah was held at Shamgar in Yerushalayim, proceeding through Kikar Shabbos to Har Hazeisim, where Reb Pesach was brought to kevurah.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}
