By COLlive reporter
Family, friends, and students of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Lipskier OBM gathered this past Motzoei Shabbos on 11 Shevat 5775, to begin writing a Sefer Torah in his memory on his 20th yahrzeit.
Rabbi Fitzy, as he was known, was the beloved Mashpia of Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim in Morristown, NJ, one of the first programs world-wide for Ba’alei Teshuva.
Many Tiferes alumni joined the celebration and brought with them many “Fitzy’s grandchildren,” children of the teacher’s students who were named after him.
“We know that our father was dearly beloved by each of you – we know that you would do anything to hear him sing, tell a story, give a smile… We all miss him,” the family said in an invitation to alumni.
His wife, Mrs. Yocheved Lipskier opened the evening: “When my husband and I became engaged he told me that he now understands the pasuk, “Ve’harikosi lachem berachah ad b’li dai”, (And I will pour you out a blessing without end until your lips tire of saying ‘Enough’). He told me his cheeks hurt so much from smiling and joy.” Mrs. Lipskier thanked all those who participated and ended off by asking Hashem to bring Moshiach so that we will all celebrate to the point that our cheeks will hurt from smiling.
Rabbi Fitzy’s son-in-law, Zev Sandman of New Haven, CT, made a siyum on Maseches Shekalim to honor the occasion of the yartzeit.
He explained that the gemara ends by asking: If nowadays a person sets aside shekalim why are they not consecrated? And answers: Perhaps the Beis HaMikdosh will be rebuilt again this year so these shekalim can indeed be collected. Sandman pointed out that this illustrates how strong our belief in Moshiach’s imminent arrival should be.
The Sefer Torah will be shared by all of Rabbi Lipskier’s children, alternating between their respective Chabad centers and shuls they successfully direct.
“This Torah will be a real part of him – we will be able to learn with it and dance with it, touch it, hold it, hug it and kiss it– keeping him, his learning and simcha alive,” the family said.
The family invites all their father’s friends and students to participate in the Sefer Torah by making a contribution of any amount – here.
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful person
Can someone please post a nice pic of fitzzie?
I would like to hang his picture in my house.
Thank you
It is very heartwarming to see Baali Baatim, Such as Rabbi Sandman, putting serious effort into learning. Yasher Koach!
Kisameychacha yitzircha bgan eden mikedem.
Continued Naches in good health!
As his older brother let me note that it is Rabbi Zev Sandman, Esquire.
and what a beautiful event it was!
I have heard people talk praising the virtues of Rabbi Lipskar O”H. His wife, may she live a long healthy life, should only have yiddishe and chassidishe nachas from all of her family. May he “immediately now” be amongst the ones heralding the coming of Moshiach!