Jerusalem – Rav Brandsdorfer’s Last Psak Was Prophetic For His Own Sons

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    Rav Meir Brandsdorfer Zt'lJerusalem – Rav Meir Brandsdorfer, the famous Posek of the Aida Hachareidis who passed away last week, in his last minutes gave a psak to a mourner that within a half hour would incredibly apply to his own sons.

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    Although Rav Brandsdorfer didn’t feel well that day, he nevertheless made the effort and welcomed a delegation from ATIME in the U.S., an organization dealing with issues of fertility and adoption who had made an appointment to visit him. Rav Brandsdorfer is famous for his expertise in fertility issues, and his psakim and advice were regularly sought even by religious Zionist groups such as the Puah Institute who deal with these issues.

    Rav Shaul Rosen, the chairman of ATIME, says, “That evening we had a crowded schedule. We visited Rav Yaakov Meir Shechter, and then Rav Elyashiv at 8 in the evening. Afterwards, we were to visit Rav Brandsdorfer, accompanied by his son Moshe.

    “On the way to Rav Brandsdorfer’s home, his son Moshe received a phone call from a friend of R’ David Chai Widovsky, the driver of the car involved in the frightful accident in the Beka Valley on the way back from Meiron. The caller wanted to find out on behalf of the driver whether he can count Sefiras Ha’Omer with a brocha that evening even though the previous night he had not counted because he was an Onen, a mourner whose dead was not yet buried. Rav Moshe said he would ask his father the question and report the answer as soon as possible.

    Rav Brandsdorfer warmly received his guests and refused to drink a glass of tea until they had been served. He heard the issues they had come to ask about, and gave his answer. At the end of the meeting, he expressed his willingness to become an active partner in the organization and to visit the organization’s rabbonim when he comes to the States after Shavuos for his grandson’s wedding.

    “I only hope I will have strength,” he added.

    Their discussion ended close to ten in the evening and the delegation left. Rav Moshe asked his father the question for Widovsky. Rav Brandsdorfer expressed his admiration for Widovsky’s determination to keep the mitzvah, but nevertheless ruled that since he had interrupted the count, he could not continue counting with a brocha.

    Rav Moshe, who had not yet davened Maariv, didn’t dream that the question would soon become relevant to him. At 10:04, Rav Brandsdorfer suddenly passed away.

    Rav Rosen was shocked when he heard the news of Rav Brandsdorfer’s passing shortly after; until today, it is still difficult for him to believe it.

    “I asked Rav Moshe if his father had managed to recite Borei Nefashos over his cup of tea,” recalls Rav Rosen, “and he told me that he hadn’t. He added that many tzadikim passed away after reciting the blessing ‘Shehakol’ and apparently, the brocha of Borei Nefashos they’ll complete at techiyas hameisim


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    15 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    So touching it made me cry

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    he was such an amazing man and he looked like a malach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Must one make a Borei Nefashos after hot tea if it is not (or cannot be) consumed within shiur shesias reviis?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    after the kvura by day you can count sfirah that way the next night you can count with a brocho

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    hamakom yenachem

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    to #4 :
    The proper thing to do is to leave over a revi’is to cool off so it can be drunk in one shot.

    Big Masmid
    Big Masmid
    14 years ago

    Great loss for Klall Yisroel

    Chaim B.
    Chaim B.
    14 years ago

    Zechus jogein ulanu.

    May be a gutte better in Shomayim!

    Mindy
    Mindy
    14 years ago

    as an atime member this hit home, shocking and amazing at the same time.

    Ari
    Ari
    14 years ago

    #13 , This “trivia” made Rav Bransdorfer ZT”L the tzadik and gadol he was. What you call “meshugaas” is the embodiment of Torah which is life itself! Ki heim chayeinu…. from our first moment on this earth to, and including, our last moment on earth.