Kiryas Tosh, Canada – Rabbi Meshulem Feish Lowy, the Tosher Rebbe, known for his magnetic personality and an ever present aura of holiness, died today at the age of 95.
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The Rebbe was born in Demetch, Hungary and was the son of the Grand Rebbe Rabbi Mordechai Segal Lowy, the third rebbe in the Tosher dynasty which had strong links to the Chozeh of Lublin, Reb Elimilech of Lizhensk, the Magid of Mizritch and the Baal Shem Tov. According to one source, the Tosher Rebbe was able to trace his patrilineal ancestors all the way back to Rashi.
A Holocaust survivor who served in the Hungarian Labour Service before being liberated by the Red Army in 1944, Rabbi Lowy was proclaimed the new Tosher Rebbe by his father’s surviving Chasidim.
The Rebbe first settled in Nyiregyhaza in northeast Hungary, and married his wife Chava Weingarten, a direct descendant of the Noam Elimilech in 1946. Fearful of the nearby Communist government, the Rebbe and his Chasidim relocated to Montreal in 1951, establishing Kiryas Tosh in Boisbriand, Quebec in 1963. The first Tasher Rebbetzin passed away in 1996 and the Rebbe remarried in 2007.
A 1966 article in the Canadian Jewish News by Norman Abrahams described the Tosher Rebbe’s dedication to his followers, many of whom were Holocaust survivors who turned to the Rebbe for guidance.
“Indicative of the Rebbe’s devotion to Judaism and his followers, this great man stays up most of the night fulfilling the many requests for advice and prayer and it is not uncommon to see him eating breakfast, his first meal of the day at five o’clock in the afternoon.”
A Talmudic expert, the Rebbe was incredibly knowledgeable in many other areas, frequently offering medical advice and guidance on other topics.
“His wisdom extends to other fields, particularly those of politics and law,” wrote Abrahams. “It is said that even lawyers come to him for advice.”
Renowned for his insistence to read from the Torah on his own for over 50 years, the Rebbe would complete the entire Sefer Tehillim daily and could stand in shul for over five hours, according to Israeli news site Kikar HaShabbat.
Over the past five decades, Tosh became a destination for those seeking spiritual counsel, advice and brachos, with thousands coming every year from all walks of life to seek out the Tosher Rebbe’s guidance.
A six volume set titled Avodas Avodah features the Rebbe’s discussions of the parsha, yomtim tovim and other insights, in both Yiddish and Hebrew, as well as a Yiddish/Hebrew collection of the Rebbe’s teachings about yahrtzeits of various tzadikim. Satellite Tosher communities have been established in various locations including Borough Park, Williamsburg, Kiryas Joel, Monsey and London.
The levaya for the Tosher Rebbe is expected to take place at 7 PM tonight in Kiryas Tosh.
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BD”H… a true Tzadik, may he be a Militz Yoisher
When I got engaged 42 years ago It was a special wish from the rebe .
I got engaged 3 weeks after I saw the Rebe
The Zadik should be a meilitz yoisher for klal yisruel
If anyone ever saw the Rebbe daven, their jaws would drop in astonishment at his unbeleivable ahvodah and koichis that he put into t’fillah. No one else came close. B”DE
BDE..Interesting though we was widowed for 11 years and remarried at the age of 87
Not too many of the rabbonim from the alte heim are left….he was among the lesser known but still significant vestiges of a different lifestyle, even among chassidim. Not sure what follows…
A great tzaddik.
The Rebbe is gone!!! Zecher Tzaadik Livrachah. He should be a Maalitz Yosher for all of Klal Yisroel that Moshiach should come!!!
Vosizneias, will you have a live hookup??? Thanks
Yesterday was the yurtzeit of the Satmar Rebe Rebe Reb Yoilish Zsl
Today was the yurtzeit of Rebe Reb Hershele Spinker Ztsl
The Tosher Rebe is going up to Shumaim among the other Tzadikim which the Yurtzeit are at the same month
While yichus is not meaningless, it is important to note that the statement “According to one source, the Tosher Rebbe was able to trace his patrilineal ancestors all the way back to Rashi.” is an impossibility. Rashi had only daughters, and no sons. What is remarkable and worth observing is that he was warm and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their persuasion, career, affiliation, or even dress. His brochos emanated from the extreme in our generation of Ahavas Yisroel. Between his selflessness to others and his intense Avodas Hashem, his brochos were Divine. Without a doubt, there will be countless stories of his greatness that will be revealed in the coming weeks, months, and years. May he be a Meilitz Yosher for Klal Yisroel. May we all be zocheh to learn about his life enough to emulate him.
I met him once, a few years ago with my entire family and can attest to the articles description of holiness eminating from hear. He gave me literally a few words of advice, with only one single word as the primary advice. He hit on the nail the exact correct life prescription for me without ever meeting me before or having any access to my background and facts. Whenever I reflect back on this it always amazes me each time.
What a great loss to Klal Yisroel a true Tzaddik, A Rebbe from a great generation. I feel sorry for those who have not had the privilege of meeting & getting a brooch from this great Tzaddik
What is the origin of the word Tosher? I had never heard of that dynasty before. Does it have many followers?
who is next rebbi ?
Did he have children?
Boruch Dayan HoEmes!