The Lelover Rebbe, Harav Yissachar Dov Biderman AH, who shared a close and warm connection with the Rebbe and Chabad chassidim, passed away suddenly at the age of 84.

The Lelover Rebbe was born in Yerushalayim on 10 Kislev, 5702 (1941), to his father, Harav Moshe Mordechai of Lelov AH. His father was known as a devoted admirer of the Rebbe, consulted with him on current matters, and sent his children for private yechidus at 770. When anyone dared to diminish the Rebbe’s honor, he spoke out strongly.

Like his father and brothers, the late Lelover Rebbe continued the path of love and appreciation for Chabad. Chabad chassidim who knew him describe him as a radiant personality, full of Ahavas Yisroel, the hallmark trait of Lelov Chassidus.

In fact, every time a grandchild of the previous Lelover Rebbe would pass before the Rebbe and mention that he was a grandson, the Rebbe would remark that Lelov is famous for Ahavas Yisrael. On one occasion, the Rebbe even noted that the letters of “Lelov” – “לו לב” – hint at their defining trait of loving others.

The Rebbe’s family continues its close connection to Chabad through the next generation. His nephews, the children of Harav Dovid Biderman, are active chassidim, including Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Biderman, who serves as a shliach of the Rebbe in Vienna, Austria. In addition, other family members have grandchildren who are Lubavitch Chassidim

In 5703 (1943), the Lelover Rebbe’s family moved to Tel Aviv. The Lelover studied in the local Belzer cheder as a child and later learned at the Lelov yeshiva in the Bais Yisrael neighborhood of Yerushalayim. After his marriage, he devoted himself to learning Torah, earned his parnassah by writing Sifrei Torah, and lived a life withdrawn from worldly matters, entirely devoted to avodas hakodesh.

In later years, he was crowned Rebbe and led his Beis Midrash, Kedushas Mordechai, on Bar-Ilan Street in Yerushalayim.

On Sunday, 14 Shevat, he was toiveling in the private mikveh at the Lelov Beis Medrash on Rechov Tzefania in Yerushalayim when he collapsed. Emergency personnel who arrived at the scene carried out prolonged resuscitation efforts, but to everyone’s great sorrow, they were forced to pronounce his death there.

He is survived by his family and children, and by his brothers, the Rebbes of Lelov–Nikolsburg and Lelov-Ezras Torah.