Although the sheloshim are already upon us, we are
still shocked and stunned at the petirah of the
unforgettable Rebbetzin Rifka Rosenzweig, a"h. Her
neshomo tehora departed from this world on 19 Av,
after a long illness throughout which she showed tremendous
bitachon.
Rifka was born just before World War II. She suffered trauma
when, at the age of four, she was torn away from her parents -
- never to see them again. They died al kiddush Hashem
at the hands of the Nazis, yimach shemom, while she
was hiding with a Protestant family in the north of Holland.
Her return to the Jewish community was delayed until she was
in her late teens; though all the while, her pure neshomo
was hankering for the day. How she rediscovered her roots
is a remarkable story of hashgacha protis -- and one
she often told to groups to instill them with
emunah.
After being welcomed by the renascent postwar Jewish
community of Amsterdam, Rifka was soon admitted to the
renowned Gateshead Seminary. Having completed her studies in
exemplary fashion, she married Rav Pesach Rosenzweig,
shlita, who was then learning at the Yeshivas Be'er
Yaakov. It was in this Torah community that the Rosenzweigs
set up their home together -- a powerhouse of hachnosas
orchim and yiras Shomayim.
Thanks to the mesiras nefesh of his ezer kenegdo,
HaRav Rosenzweig was able to help establish Mosdos Torah
in Strasbourg in the 1960s and in Amsterdam in the 1970s.
This included the prestigious Amsterdam Kollel, which Rav
Rosenzweig headed for 12 years until the family returned to
Eretz Yisroel, where they continued their outstanding
harbotzas Torah.
Rebbetzin Rosenzweig, a"h, was a pillar of strength in
all her husband's endeavors. She possessed tremendous
yiras Shomayim and the three ahavos -- ahavas
Hashem, ahavas haTorah and ahavas habrios. She
used her innate gifts of supreme intellect, coupled with her
warm personality, to the utmost, and was able to reach the
hearts and minds of many who had been far removed from
Yahadus. Moreover, she possessed a passionate love and
infectious enthusiasm for Yiddishkeit, which inspired
even members of non-observant circles.
When her illness struck 10 years ago for the first time,
Rifka's true inner self was evident for all to witness. She
accepted her situation be'ahava at all times, and her
words and actions were a chizuk for all. Whenever she
felt a little stronger during her debilitating illness, she
joyfully remarked on the nissim of HaKodosh Boruch
Hu. She refused to allow any sadness to creep into her
home, and even at times of excruciating pain she infused a
happy, positive atmosphere into her mikdash me'at.
Who can forget her warm smile, her happy face, those kind
words emanating from her pain-ridden frame. She never
complained about her condition; on the contrary, she was
extremely grateful for every day of life. She appreciated
each additional day and clung on to every hour. She
constantly mentioned the chessed of Hashem in keeping
her alive, well beyond the prognosis of the doctors.
She continued to travel to family simchas, even when
she was no longer able to move about freely in her own home.
She continued to give shiurim to groups of women on
the subject of emunah and bitachon. These
usually took place between courses of grueling medical
treatment both in Eretz Yisroel and in America.
Her audiences -- whether schoolgirls, students or ba'alos
teshuva -- drew tremendous chizuk from her
penetrating words delivered with her irreplaceable, joyful
countenance and warm, genuine smile. In this way, she was
zoche to bring hundreds back to Yiddishkeit. She
encouraged them in groups or as individuals to see the light
of the Torah, often repeating her own life story by way of an
example of Hashem's kindness.
At times when she felt too weak to address others, she set up
for herself a learning program, learning the weekly parsha
and each of the Megillos with meforshim.
When in the hospital, Rifka made a wonderful kiddush
Hashem among the doctors, nursing staff, fellow patients
and visitors. During the last few weeks of her final illness,
the nurses were even heard to remark that here lay an angel,
so extraordinary was her demeanor.
Rifka will never be forgotten. She will not remain merely a
fond memory, but will remain firmly etched into the minds of
all who were privileged to know her. These included thousands
of individuals from all walks of life, in many countries
encompassing three continents. Her life, her deeds, her
words, her love, her friendship will inspire countless people
for generations to come.
Rifka was so indispensable to her family and a wide circle of
friends and admirers. She was so much a part of their lives
that the future without her looks bleak and dim. But we must
all take an example from Rifka herself -- how to look at life
positively, to generate warmth and radiate love and kindness
at all times. This will ensure an everlasting memorial to her
pure neshomo.
May Rebbetzin Rifka Rosenzweig, a"h, be a melitzas
yosher for her dear husband, for her children and
grandchildren who are following in her footsteps, and indeed
for the whole of Klal Yisroel.
May her memory be a blessing.
