Mordechai Leifer

Ukrainian rabbi

Mordechai Leifer (or Läufer^[1]) (1824–1894) was a rabbi in Nadvirna, Ukraine.

Biography

Leifer was the son of Rabbi Yesochor Bertche Leifer (d. 1848), author of Sisrei Torah,^[2] and a great-great-grandson of Rabbi Meir "The Great" of Premishlan. He served as a Hasidic Rebbe of Nadvirna (Nadwórna). He was raised by his great uncle, the famous Rebbe Meir'l of Premishlan. Hasidim from all over Hungary and Romania would come to receive his blessings. An extraordinarily large number of his descendants became Hasidic rebbes, including many around the world today. His teachings are collected in Gedulas Mordechai, Tiferes Mordechai, Aspaklarya Hameira, Maamar Mordechai and Oros Mordechai.

Leifer is buried in Bushtyno, Ukraine.

His wife, Chaya (d. 1891), was the daughter of Rabbi Shmuel Shmelka Taubes, Chief Rabbi of Yas and author of the To'afos R-eim.

They were survived by six sons and one daughter:

Rebbe Yitzchock Leifer of Stanislav
Rebbe Yisaschar Bertzi of Satmar
Rebbe Meir Rosenbaum of Kretchnif
Rebbe Aharon Moshe of Żołynia-Łańcut
Rebbe Yisroel Yaakov of Chust
Rebbe Yoseph Leifer of Niredhaz
Rebbitzen Leah Bina Igra of Zolynia (died childless)

Today, there are close to 100 Grand Rebbes who claim descent from Rebbe Mordechai of Nadvorna.

References

^ This was how the surname was previously known, also spelled that way in historical vital records for his family.
^ Tannenbaum, Rabbi Gershon (March 23, 2011). "Tosher Chassunah". The Jewish Press. Archived from the original on September 15, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.