By COLlive reporter
The tragic passing of Chabad Rabbi Yehoshua Binyomin Gordon of California, on Monday, the 29th of Shevat 5776, is being mourned by Jews of all backgrounds and from across the globe.
Since 2009, thousands of people have been starting their day with a prayer, coffee and tuning into the daily Torah classes crisply delivered by Rabbi Gordon from his Chabad of the Valley center in Encino.
A programmer analyst from New York City wrote on the COLlive.com Facebook page that he learned about the sad news while he was listening to one of Rabbi Gordon’s classes. “I have been listening to his Tanya lessons for 3 years,” he wrote.
Calling Rabbi Gordon “a brilliant Rabbi,” Nili Shore wrote on Facebook: “He brought so much joy and humor to learning, it’s sad to lose such a great man. His shlichus will surely continue on. May his neshama always be elevating.”
Rabbi Gordon’s daily classes on the daily study portions in Chumash, Tanya and Rambam have attracted a loyal and international following. Zevulun Brewer said he would listen to the class while working rice fields in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand, while Brocha Taub said she learned while driving her children to school in the van.
His many students could perhaps find comfort in a personal video message that Rabbi Gordon recorded in New York following the passing of his mother, Rebbetzin Miriam Gordon OBM in 2012.
In the video, he briefly tells the story of his mother’s life including her early life in Harlem and Boro Park as a member of the illustrious Simpson family, one of the first chassidic families in America. He then describes her married life as the rebbetzin of the venerable Shliach Rabbi Sholom Ber Gordon OBM.
In his personal reflections, Rabbi Gordon shares unique words of consolation that the Rebbe told his father and grandfather at the shiva of his paternal grandmother in 1957.
“When someone passes away,” said the Rebbe to the Gordon family, “They don’t leave. They just go up to the second floor.”
VIDEO:
I have been a student of Rabbi Gordon for many years. Through my journey he has been there as teacher and his passing leaves me with great sorrow. I only regret that I could not meet him in person. As long as I am alive and able, G-d willing, I will continue studying with him. As a teacher he was, and will continue to be, in a class by himself. Unsurpassed. And I will continue to be his student.
May HaShem comfort the entire Gordon family. I was a member of his father’s shul in Maplewood, New Jersey and met Rabbi Yehoshua Gordon on many occasions when he visited his parents(may their memories be blessed). I share the loss with you and May we all greet Moshiach soon to reunite with all whom have gone up to the second floor.
Sarah Katuna and family
… and how amazing to have right here the message that the Rebbe gave to him, that a lost loved one is still here—just on another “floor”.
Because what he says here is exactly how we all feel about him!! He will always be with us especially in his daily shiurm that he has bequeathed to the world.Rabbi Gordon has a major zchus to have inspired thousands…
Only Rabbi Gordon is able to console all of us who mourn him deeply. This shiur just came from the second floor.
Seeing and hearing you just as I do when I watch your shiurim is a nechamah.
Listened from start to finish.
Thank you for sharing.
I feel so empty… Baruch Hashem I can still connect with his recordings
I refuse to believe!
he’ll never be forgotten
In his personal reflections, Rabbi Gordon shares unique words of consolation that the Rebbe told his father and grandfather at the shiva of his paternal grandmother in 1957.
“When someone passes away,” said the Rebbe to the Gordon family, “They don’t leave. They just go up to the second floor.”
JOSH YOU WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US ESP. WHEN WE LEARN WITH U ON LINE , YOU BE WITH US 4 EVER AND EVER , WE MISS U JOSH
Rabbi Gordon you will be missed,we want Moshiach now.
Please see him give over this perek, it is an amazing call to all Chabadnickim.