Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, a Chassidic rabbi and renowned psychiatrist who helped countless people in their path of healing, recovery and connection to Torah, passed away on Sunday, 18 Shevat, 5781.
He was 90.
Rabbi Twerski was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He enrolled in the Hebrew Theological College of Chicago (now located in Skokie, Illinois) and was ordained a rabbi in 1951. In 1953 Twerski enrolled at Milwaukee’s Marquette University, and subsequently graduated from its medical school in 1960, after which he moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Rabbi Twerski’s medical career includes Gateway Rehabilitation Center, Pittsburgh, which he founded and serves as medical director emeritus, clinical director of the Department of Psychiatry at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine, and founder of the Shaar Hatikvah rehabilitation center for prisoners in Israel.
He was the longtime chairman of the board at Yeshiva schools in Pittsburgh as well as the very much beloved decades-long baal tefilla at Lubavitch center of Pittsburgh before moving to Israel.
In his rabbinic career, Rabbi Twerski was a prolific writer of Jewish books and gave numerous shiurim. He was co-spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Jehudah with his father from ordination until 1959. During this time he composed a melody for the Hebrew verse Psalms 28:9 “Hoshea es Amecha”, which became popular in Jewish circles.
Rabbi Twerski authored over 60 books on Judaism and self-help topics, and his clinical career specialized in self-help and addiction recovery.
Much of his popular writing concerns self-improvement and ethical behavior, merging the Mussar Jewish ethics and morality movement with the Twelve-Step Program and with ideas from clinical psychology, having noted that “There is an important similarity between the Torah approach to behavior and the Twelve Step program approach.”
“In addition to his incredible accomplishments as a Rabbi, a healer, and an author, what will be missed most is that Rabbi Twerski was a fearless champion on the part of the most marginalized and stigmatized in our community,” said Rabbi Shais Taub, a dear friend of Rabbi Twerski. “He fought to bring honor, dignity and hope to those who had been overlooked, and he brought attention to their cause and awareness to the rest of us. The loss is staggering and irreplaceable.”
Rabbi Twerski recently became infected with coronavirus and passed away today in Israel.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.
Slowly but surely all the luminaries of the world are being taken away. We need Moshiach
Such an amazing man.. May Hashem watch over his family
What a special person that was taken away from us !
3 great rabbis were nifter today in israel!
BDE
Rabbi Twersky also co-authored (with Judi Dick) a cookbook called “A Taste of Nostalgia”. It’s about adapted recipes from European shtetls, including beautiful black and white pre-war one era photographs. It’s a magnificent book! Rabbi Twersky actually calls it “a storybook with some great recipes”! His neshomah should have a lichtiger Gan Eden.
B.H.
When I was in high school in Pittsburgh, Rabbi Twerski farbrenged for us. How did he explain the persona of the Rebbe to our diverse crowd of high school boys? He said something along these lines: ‘The Rebbe is an emes (truth) computer. He computes more emes in one instant than you’ll ever compute in your entire life’.
Also, I remember his soulful and elaborate singing of ‘Kel Adon’ when he would lead the davening on Shabbos mornings.
May his memory be a blessing.
Yisroel Sandman
Wow, what a loss for the Jewish community and the world! He was such a special person. His books are legendary, especially the ones with the Charley Brown characters. And who can forget when he starred in Agent Emes?? May we see him soon with Moshiach!!
Man, you just brought back some memories of Agent Emes.
But seriously what a great man, he will always be missed
What’s going on here? Hashem, every one of Your Am Kodesh deserves to live a long healthy life to 120 and beyond! Please remove the Malach hamoves from our midst!!
Back in the 90’s Rabbi Twerski, used to give a “sermon” at the yeshiva lubavitch on shaabos day. As a 13 year old boy I vividly remember, wanting to go to shul to hear rabbi Twerski. It was always, short, incredibly deep and super interesting and you could always hear a pin drop! Such a regal man and an incredible loss to the world and more specifically the Jewish nation
So sad to hear this and esp. that COVID took him from us on earth .. No question that G-d said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” today when he left earth physically. The personification of a life well-lived! Have all his books including one for which I typed the manuscript for him. Would not be here on earth still had he not taken me under his wings and in his care in 1983 .. Deepest sympathy and prayers for all his wonderful family .. I will always love you, Rebbe Dr. Twerski!
scarcity.
There are no words to capture this giant who enhanced so many lives.
Yehee zichro baruch.
To his family, may H’ comfort you and give you great strength. His eternal legacy will not be forgotten.
CMK
Baruch Dayan Emes! May Hashem comfort his family, his patients, and every life he made better. there is a special place for such a neshama in Gan Eden but I hope and pray that we will see them all again immediately with Moshiach.