It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of the Faltishaner Rebbe Rav Mordechai Stein zt”l of Boro Park, who was niftar on Shveii Shel Pesach at the age of 84. His levayah was held on Acharon Shel Pesach.
The Rebbe was born on 13 Adar in 1941 in Faltishan, Romania, to his father, the Faltishaner Rebbe, Rav Yisroel Avrohom zt”l, and his mother, Rebbetzin Sarah a”h, daughter of the Faltishaner Rebbe, Rav Elazar Twersky zt”l. At his bris, he was named Mordechai after his ancestor, the Rebbe Rav Mordechai of Chernobyl zt”l.
He lateultimatelyr immigrated to the United States with his family. He began studying in the Nitra Yeshiva under the leadership of Rav Michoel Ber Weissmandl zt”l in the Catskills. When the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz zt”l visited America, the young Rav Mordechai returned with him to Eretz Yisroel and continued his learning at Yeshivas Vizhnitz in Bnei Brak.
He married his wife, Rebbetzin Rivkah Leah a”h, daughter of the Spinka Rebbe of Yerushalayim, Rav Yosef Meir Kahana zt”l. After his marriage, he lived in Kiryas Vizhnitz and received semichah from Rav Pinchas Epstein zt”l, Raavad of the Eidah Hachareidis.
He moved to Yerushalayim, where he became closely connected to the Dzikover Rebbe, Rav Yehuda Leibush Horowitz zt”l, and drew inspiration from the Toras Mordechai of Vizhnitz zt”l.
During the tense prelude to the Six Day War in 5727, he returned to America at his father’s request. Though he intended to go back to Eretz Yisroel after the war, he ultimately settled permanently in the United States. He served as a mashgiach and mashpia in the Satmar Yeshiva on Sanz Street and later at the Yeshiva Gedolah in Kiryas Yoel.
The Rebbe was a devoted follower of the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Yoel zt”l.
He later moved to Boro Park, where he established his beis medrash, Kehillas Tiferes Mordechai, on 49th Street. He also founded a beis din and served as its av beis din. At the same time, he was Rosh Yeshiva of the Monsey-based Yeshivas Munkatch and had a close relationship with the Munkatcher Rebbe.
After the passing of his father, he assumed the position of the Faltishaner Rebbe. From his beis medrash in Boro Park, he led his kehilla with warmth, dignity, and profound yiras Shamayim, and many flocked to him for guidance and brachos.
He is survived by sons, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren who are talmidei chachamim and yirei Shamayim, continuing his legacy.
In recent months, the Rebbe’s health deteriorated after a collapse. On the seventh day of Pesach, he was niftar. His levayah took place on the the next day, beginning at his beis medrash in Boro Park, continuing through the Munkatcher beis medrash, and from there to Williamsburg. He was laid to rest in Long Island.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}