By COLlive reporter
Rabbi Shmuel Avrohom Tzvi Greenfeld, an elder and respected chossid from the Belzer community in Belgium, passed away on Sunday, 21 Cheshvan 5781.
He was 94.
He was born in Lodz, a city in central Poland, on Chai Elul 5686 (1926), a significant date on the Chassidic calendar as the birth dates of the founder of Chassidism Rabbi Yisroel Baal Shem Tov and the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi.
His Bar Mitzvah was celebrated on Chai Elul 5699 (1939), a day after the Second World War broke out, during which over 6 million Jews were exterminated by the German Nazis and their anti-Semitic allies.
He managed to escape from being sent to a death camp on a train and survived to end up in a displaced persons camp (DP) in France.
He went on to learn in Yeshivat Beit Yosef Novardok, founded in France after the war by Rabbi Gershon Liebman and soon began giving shiurim himself. Students related that he knew the sefer Chovos HaLevavos by-heart.
In 5714, he married Kreina Devorah Liberow, daughter of Rabbi Saadia Liberow, an outstanding Chabad chossid and Mashpia who served as a Shliach of the Rebbe in Morrocco and Antwerp.
The couple was blessed with 2 children, following which Mrs. Greenfeld tragically passed away at a young age in 5725.
Rabbi Greenfeld settled in Antwerp and served as the Rosh Yeshiva of Belz in the city. In later years, he worked for a living in the city’s diamond industry but would go straight to the Belz Shtiebel to learn Torah and Chassidus, including Tanya. He later remarried.
Members of the Jewish community called him the “Tzadik of Antwerp” and would frequently ask him for brachos which would be answered. His heartfelt davening and dedication to learning even at an older age was an inspiring sight for many.
He is survived by his wife, children Rabbi Sholom Greenfeld, Rov of the Alexander shul in Antwerp; Mrs. Zelda Brocha Fishman – Monsey, NY; Mrs. Sheina Rivka Adolf – Antwerp, Belgium; and Rabbi Saadia Greenfeld – a Mashpia in Manchester, England; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes: Shmuel Avrohom Tzvi ben Moshe Chaim
Super nice man, and big big Lamden etc.
תנצבה
Ah Tieyere Yid. As the family can attest (he had B’H many Lubavitcher relatives) any interaction with him was an event.