Rabbi Yaakov Yehuda Weiser, a chassidishe shochet and member of the Lubavitch community of Vienna, Austria, passed away on Tuesday, Asara B’Teves, following an extended illness.

He was 73 years old.

As a bochur, Rabbi Weiser learned in Kfar Chabad under Reb Shlomo Chaim Kesselman. After his marriage to Chana, the daughter of the rov of Vienna, he settled there and became a shochet.

He was among the founders and builders of the local Lubavitch community. Later, when Rabbi Yaakov Biderman arrived as a shliach, Rabbi Weiser assisted him with whatever he could.

Following the Rebbe’s instruction, Rabbi Weiser arranged to print the Tanya in Vienna. An unassuming man, he strived to remain outside the spotlight, doing his work without looking for recognition.

He leaves behind his wife, Mrs. Chana Weiser, and their children: Mrs. Rivka Schwartz (Eretz Yisroel), Mrs. Miriam Loew (New York), Rabbi Yechiel Weiser (Crown Heights), Rabbi Shaul Weiser (Crown Heights), Aizik Weiser (Vienna, Austria), Mrs. Nechema Dina Perlstein (Montreal, Canada), Mrs. Leah Sosover (Monsey, NY), Mrs. Sara Alevsky (Cleveland, OH), Mrs. Rachel Lustig (Monsey, NY), Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Weiser (Crown Heights), Mrs. Mushka Pinson (Berlin, Germany), Rabbi Chaim Weiser (Crown Heights), and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Weiser (Antwerp, Belgium).

The levaya will take place today in Vienna and continue for burial at the Har Hazeisim in Eretz Yisroel.

Boruch dayan hoemes