BDE: The Koson Rebbe of 9th Avenue Ztz"l

By BoroPark24 Staff

BDE: Passing of the Kossoner Rebbe of Boro Park, zt”l

With great sorrow, the bitter news was received today of the passing of one of the distinguished, most senior, and prominent Rebbes in the  Boro Park: Hagaon HaTzaddik Rabbi Yaakov Yehosef Rottenberg, the Kossoner Rebbe zt"l. The Rebbe led his chassidim from his humble shul on 9th Avenue, and influenced many Chassidim and ovdei Hashem, with his Torah, his avodas hakodesh, his chassidus, and his yiras Shomayim. 

The Rebbe, zt"l, was the only son of Rabbi Asher Yeshaya Rottenberg, zt"l, of Kosson, who lived his final years in Bnei Brak and passed away approximately fifteen years ago. He was the son of Rabbi Moshe Shmuel of Kosson, zt"l; son of the holy author of Shmuah Tovah of Kosson, zt"l; the son of Rav Yehosef of Kosson, zt"l, author of Bnei Shileishim.

The Rebbe traced a magnificent lineage to many tzaddikim and luminaries of the dynasties of Ziditchov, Komarno, and Tosh. He was the son-in-law of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Rubin, zt"l, the Kerestirer Rebbe, a grandson of Rav Shayala of Kerestir, zy"a, and many other tzaddikim.

With rare humility, grace, and modesty, the Rebbe served the Ribbono shel Olam and toiled in Torah study day and night. The Rebbe disseminated Torah to many talmidim and taught Torah for many years at the Belzer Talmud Torah in Boro Park. With a warm smile and affection, the Rebbe uplifted his students and instilled in them a chiyus d’kedushah—luminous times that remain etched in the memories of all his pupils.

At the corner of 50th Street and 9th Avenue in Boro Park, the Rebbe led his beautiful Beis Medrash in the path of his holy ancestors, davening incredible tefillos with deep heart and neshamah which influenced his Chassidim and admirers. Unfortunately, in recent years, the Rebbe suffered terribly from various ailments and pain.

Today, Erev Shabbos Kodesh, the 5th of Shevat, in the morning, the Rebbe ascended to Shomayim, plunging his family, and many chassidim and admirers into deep sadness. The Levaya will take place at 11:30 AM from his Beis Medrash, proceeding to Monsey, where the Rebbe will be brought to his eternal rest at the Har Shalom Cemetery in Monsey.