BDE: Reb Yosef Avrohom Maggid, z”l

By Y. S. Gold

We regret to inform you of the passing of Reb Yosef Maggid, the most senior Gerer chossid in the United States, and possibly the world—a model of ehrlichkeit and Chassidic warmth. He was 97 years of age, and spent his life in the endeavor of being mechanech children in the ways of Torah and yiras Shamayim.

The niftar was a Holocaust survivor who miraculously endured the horrors of the churban. Following this, he came to Eretz Yisroel where he was one of the first talmidim in the Gerer yeshiva Sfas Emes. He merited to be close to the Beis Yisroel of Gur, and nullified himself completely to the Admorim of Gur.

Reb Yosef became a melamed in chadorim in Bnei Brak, a career to which he dedicated his life with supreme devotion—a career that would span seventy years!

When the Maggid’s came to the United States, Reb Yosef went to work in the Gerer Yeshiva Yagdil Torah in Boro Park. One parent whose children learned by Reb Yosef in Yagdil Torah recalls: “He was like a father to his very young Talmidim…He cared for them like they would be his very own. was a very, very soft person, and his incredible yiras shamayim and erlichkeit made an incredible impression on the children.”

In addition to his work as a melamed, Reb Yosef was a highly-regarded shochet. He also authored a series of seforim called Likutei Yesharim on chinuch, shechitah, and stories and sayings of tzaddikim.

At the time of his ascension to the next world, Reb Yosef was surrounded by a group of talmidim who loved and admired him.

His wife, Mrs. Shifra Maggid, was nifteres only two days ago, and he now joins her in the World of Truth.

The levaya took place this morning at the Gerer shtiebel on 49^th Street, and kevurah will be in Eretz Yisroel on Sunday.

Yehi zichro baruch.