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20 Ellul 5760 - September 20, 2000 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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Home and Family
Rebbetzin Miriam Rabinov-Rabinowitz o"h
by A. Cohen

Last week, the righteous Rebbetzin Miriam Rabinov-Rabinowitz, o"h, wife of HaRav Shmuel Yosef Rabinov the author of Divrei Shir, was brought to her final resting place. Her levaya was well-attended, and led by gedolei Torah and roshei yeshiva and included many bnei Torah. She was niftar after an illness in her 82nd year.

Rebbetzin Rabinov was born in Tzehlem, one of the famous Sheva Kehillos of Austria, in 5678. Her parents, Reb Sholom Frishman and Feige, who were among the prominent members of the community, and they were upright, righteous Jews. In that home, where her noble and warm character were formed, she imbibed true emunas chachomim and learned to consult daas Torah about every aspect of life.

Sensing the impending Holocaust, the Frishman family sent their children to London where they grew up and were educated. During that period Miriam married HaRav Shmuel Yosef Rabinov, author of Divrei Shir and the chairman of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Europe. Their

home was a beis vaad lechachomim, and gedolei haTorah visited it often. At such times, the rebbetzin would cater to all their needs.

Rebbetzin Rabinov-Rabinowitz stood beside her illustrious husband, and conducted their home, which was a focal point for the rabbonim of England and Europe, wisely and prudently. When her husband fell ill and became partially paralyzed, she served him with outstanding dedication. At that stage in their lives they moved to Eretz Hakodesh and settled in Bnei Brak.

There too, the rebbetzin continued to serve her husband with great mesirus while the door of their home was open to many visitors and guests. Every Shabbos, many yeshiva students, mainly British boys who were learning in Eretz Yisroel, dined at their home. Their home was also visited regularly by gedolei Yisroel who regarded the rebbetzin as an exemplary eishes chover.

In 5723 (1963) her husband was niftar. She later married HaRav Gedaliah Rabinowitz, zt"l, who was highly acclaimed for his unique shiurim and droshos, known for their depth and clarity. Many gedolei Yisroel drew inspiration from his shiurim, and the rebbetzin helped him to spread Torah from a home of peace and tranquillity. When he fell ill, she served him with utmost dedication.

Her second husband's children treated her lovingly. Having no children of her own, she always participated in the simchas of her husband's family, even when they took place overseas.

She dedicated her entire life to Torah and chessed, and was very involved in tzedoko, hachnosas orchim and bikur cholim. She visited lonely hospital patients, encouraging them and bringing them refreshments or money, in accordance with their needs. She also participated in gemilus chessed shel emes all her life, on a voluntary basis.

Far from the public view, she practiced many personal chumros, some of which became known only when she was ill and was forced to reveal them to others. She related then that during the period in which her husband fasted on Mondays and Thursdays, she also didn't eat meat.

The jewel in her crown of chessed was her hachnosas kallah enterprise. She not only established Jewish homes in Israel, but also helped the needy with large grants. She also founded special tzedoko funds for easy, long-term loans, subsidizing them on her own by collecting money and holding fund raising dinners. Until her final day, she was involved in the important mitzvah of helping needy brides.

Recently, she became very weak and issued instructions to her family about her tzedoko affairs. On Wednesday, 13 Elul, she returned her pure soul to her its Maker, in the presence of her family.

Her levaya, which left her home, was attended by HaRav Aharon Yehuda Leib Steinman, as well as by roshei yeshiva, rabbonim and many of the finest of chareidi Jewry. HaRav Moshe Sternbuch delivered a hesped next the Divrei Shir synagogue. In it he stressed the many chessed enterprises she had established, and the fact that he had merited to serve gedolei Yisroel.

HaRav Arye Dunner, who also eulogized her in a weeping voice, spoke about the greatness of her husband and the immense share she had in his achievements, especially during his final years in Eretz Hakodesh. He said that only a month ago she participated in a ceremony in which a street was named after her husband, HaRav Shmuel Yosef Rabinov.

HaRav Doniel Rabinowitz noted her great dedication to his grandfather, HaRav Gedaliah Rabinowitz, whom she helped throughout her entire marriage to him, enabling him to devote himself solely to Torah.

At the cemetery words of parting were delivered by HaRav Moshe Schloss, an outstanding student of her first husband, HaRav Shmuel Yosef Rabinov. In his hesped, he mentioned her outstanding character traits.

HaRav Mordechai Gross parted from her in the name of the family, and noted her outstanding traits. He noted that the lofty character traits of Rebbetzin Miriam Rabinov- Rabinowitz's mother were a source of inspiration to her always.

 

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