Mordechai Rosen - biography page


D’vrei Mordechai is a collection of original d’var torahs said over a seven year period of time by Mordechai ben Efraim (Motty) Rosen, z"l. There are many d’vrei torah on the sedras, for every Yom Tov and on various topics of Emunah. We feel privileged to present these d’var torahs to you.

Mordechai was born in New York in May of 1945. The eldest of four children, he was raised in a family typical of the post-Holocaust era. His parents were children of Chassidic Rabbis - his paternal grandfather, after whom he was named, was the Manostriza Dayan in Vienna, his maternal grandfather, was the Moditzer Rebbe, Reb Shaul - and his family life was a reflection of that background.

The day of his birth coincided with the cries of "Peace in Europe". That peace became an integral part of his character. In the community of Har Nof, Yerushalayim, where he spent the last seven years of his life, he was known as a true talmid of Aharon Hacohen, a Rodef Shalom. He refused to enter in machlokes and would always worked hard at helping other people reach a compromise. But there were many other wonderful characteristics of Mordechai that reflected the greatness of what he was. Mordechai was an Ohev Habriyot - he loved people and they knew it. He was able to make everyone feel comfortable and liked. He treated all human beings with respect - from a simple beggar on the street to the greatest of Gedolim. He truly saw all mankind created b'tzelem Elokim - in the image of Hashem. He was a great lover of nature, finding great joy in everyday occurrences, from watching the sunrise from his balcony in Har Nof to watching the squirrels frolic in his mother’s backy! ard in Brooklyn. But his special love he saved for Yerushalayim, Eir Hakadosh. He believed that Yerushalayim was the most beautiful place in the Almighty’s kingdom and he gave Shevach each day for having the zechus to live there.

But Mordechai’s true gadlus was in Ahavas Hashem. He reached a madraga - a level - of Ahava that was inspirational. In the summer of 1992 Mordechai was diagnosed with cancer. Over the next three years the disease would return on two more occasions, each time with greater vengeance. Mordechai saw each side effect, each pain, each hardship as Ratzon Hashem, the will of the Almighty. He very rarely complained, just the opposite, he always seemed to look for the Chesed in what was happening to him. In March of 1995, Mordechai returned to New York to spend what would be the last four months of his life with his family - his parents, his children, his grandchildren, his siblings, and nieces and nephews. During those few months, Mordechai taught those around him many lessons. The most important lesson and his greatest legacy to his family was that of V’ahavta es Hashem Elokecha bechol levavacha, to love Hashem with all of your heart, with every fiber of your being, and to appreciate each and every day the Ribbono Shel Olam sees fit to grant you.

Mordechai would awake each morning and daven Netz, even on the days when it caused him great hardship. When his family would ask him why it was so important to him, he would answer with tears in his eyes, "If the Ribbono Shel Olam has seen fit to grant me another day, how can I just say Eloki Neshomo and go back to sleep, how can I not give Shevach as soon as I open my eyes."

Mordechai's neshomo began its final journey home on Erev Rosh Chodesh Av. His kevura was Friday afternoon, Rosh Chodesh Av, on Har Hazaysim, near Kever Avos, just as Klal Yisrael began the Nines Day of mourning for the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash. For those who knew and loved him, it seemed fitting that Am Yisrael mourned with them. It is our hope that through the learning of these lemudim we will bring Moshiach one step closer and that we will be zocheh to see the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdash and have Mordechai walk amongst us once more.

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