BD’E-Kretchnif Rebbi-Kiryas Gat Zt”l

The Kretchnifer Rebbe, Harav Yisrael Nissan Rosenbaum of Kiryat Gat, passed away after a sickness at the age of 70 years old.

He was born in Rechovot, Israel in 1949 to his parents, Harav Duvid Moishe Rosenbaum, zy”a and Esther Ruchel, the daughter of the Nadvorna Rebbe, the Baal Devar Chaim, zy”a.

He got married to the daughter of Harav Yechezkel Shraga Mertz, zy”a of Kashau, and he lived in the United States for six months. At that time, he received a letter from his father requesting that he return to Israel, since at the time many Jews made aliyah from Romania, and his father saw the need for these people to have leadership. To accomplish this, he sent one son to Kiryat Gat and sent his twin brother to Rechovot.

In 1970, Rav Yisrael Nissan moved to Kiryat Gat, where his dedication to the klal was unlimited, as he dreamt of building a chareidi community. He requested that the Pnei Menachem of Ger, zy”a, send young couples to live in Kiryat Gat, and these families were the foundation of a community which is thriving today.

The Rebbe did not need any luxuries and was constantly learning Torah. He was known for the tremendous gemilus chassadim, tzedakah and chessed which he and his Rebbetzin demonstrated to all.

A decade ago, he was gravely ill, and on the third night of Chanukah he had a tremendous yeshuah. Since that time, he would always commemorate this with a special tisch each year on that night.

He took ill once again a year and a half ago and his behavior during his disease was a demonstration of true Kiddush Hashem.

His levayah, which was attended by a large crowd, left from his Bais Medrash in Kiryat Gat and continued to Rechovot, where he was laid to rest alongside his parents.

Yehi zichro baruch.