By Anash.org reporter
Rabbi Mordechai Gurary, Rov of the Chevra Shas Shul in Crown Heights, passed away on Shabbos, 3 Nissan from coronavirus.
He was 84 years old.
Reb Mottel, as he was lovingly known, was named after his father, who passed away before he was born. His father was a mekurev to Rav Levi Yitzchok and Rebbetzin Chana, the Rebbe’s parents. When the elder Gurary passed away Rav Levi Yitzchok was maspid him for an hour!
Young Mottel was born in Dnepropetrovsk and also spent much time with Reb Levi’k. The story of how the senior Mottel got acquainted with the Rebbe’s parents is mentioned in the Rebbetzin Chana’s reshimos.
As a young bochur he left Russia with his mother and entered the yeshiva at Brunoy. The Rebbe wrote to Reb Nissen Nemanov to keep an eye on Mottel.
In 5719/1958, Mottel came to New York for Tishrei and saw the Rebbe for the first time. He often spoke about how the Rebbe taught the Shamil niggun that Simchas Torah.
He married Lea (Liza) Bronstein, daughter of Reb Zalman Bronstein, his mother’s brother. She passed away in the summer of 5777/2017.
Reb Mottel was the rov of the Chevra Shas shul, one where many of the rabbonim and roshei yeshiva in Crown Heights davened. Notable mispallelim included the rabbonim of Crown Heights: Rav Marlow, yblch”t Rav Osdoba and Rav Braun, Rav Yisroel Friedman, and many more. People many years his senior were the most devoted attendees of his shiurim.
He was a very accomplished speaker who could keep the crowd riveted with his words of derush, intertwined with much humor and wit. Always full of life, any visitor to his shul was welcomed with a warm Shalom Aleichem.
In recent years, he would often be asked to lead tour groups to the kivrei tzaddikim in Europe, where he would teach and farbreng with the crowds of non-Lubavitcher Chassidim.
He is survived by his children Mrs. Chanie Blizinsky – Crown Heights, Mrs. Shaina Zalmanov – Crown Heights, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife Mrs. Lea (Liza) Gurary.
א גרויסע אבידה. אין לו תמורה וממלא מקום. פה מפיק מרגליות כפשוטו . מלא ביראה ובחכמה.
A great loss. A pillar in Crown Heights’ community. He has no replacement.
Was full of Yiras Shomayim and Torah. He was an unbelievable Darshan. Unique style of delivery.
Will be missed terribly,
CHaval al De’avdeen
I used to daven in Chevrah Chas in 1973 and I remember when we heard the yom Kippur war started on yom kippur- He asked us to say Kapitel 83 together, This was an unforgettable event to all of us. It is so painful to hear that he was niftar. MayHashem have rachmanous on all Ammo Yisrael and send us Mashiach Now.
Baruch Dayan Haemet
His shiurim עין יעקב
Between Mincha and maariv…
Creating an atmosphere with his words.
Anyone have any videos/audio recorded?
Dan, Thankfully theres many videos on youtube (though not neccesarily of his EY shiurim. Including:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwE8K-fBY3i8ut0ZByoGR7A
Thank you! That’s a real treasure.
Here I found another one: https://youtu.be/qM3i7lCjgfk
Anybody know if his shiurim in ein yaakov were recorded by anybody?