Memory Lane: Rav Yitzchok Eizik Liebes

A ga’on of the caliber ubiquitous in prewar Galicia, a remnant of a rare breed of old-time Galician Rabbonim who had learned under the greatest luminaries of that world, Rav Liebes left the Bronx when it began to turn inhospitable to Yidden. He made his place in Boro Park, where he served the the Rosh Av Beis Din of Igud Harabonim, and maintained close relationship with many of his contemporaries—all of him showed him great reverence. 

Gródek

In eastern Galicia, near the town of Komarno, in the suburbs of Lvov, sits the town of Gródek, known as Greiding, in Yiddish. Here, in the year 1906, Rav Yitzchok Eizik was born to his father Rav Avrohom Binyomin, an ardent Belzer chossid, and the rov of the town. 

When he turned fourteen years of age, he went to learn by Rav Yosef Kliger, Av Beis Din of Greiding, who presided over a yeshiva, and doted on the budding talmid chochom. He ultimately received semicha from Rav Kliger, and from Rav Zalman Sorotzkin. 

He married, and settled in the town of Lubiz, where he became the Rov. Here a son was born to him. His Rebbetzin and child would tragically be taken in the great Churban, and he rarely spoke of them, as he did not speak much of the terrible ordeals that he endured during the war. 

Following the war, many survivors from Greiding concentrated in one town, and Rav Liebes became their patron, working around the clock to provide their needs, and encourage them to stay strong in their Yiddishkeit. He instituted shechitah and mikvah, and led the community of survivors. Another survivor from Greiding was Esther, a granddaughter of his rebbe, Rav Yosef Kliger. They were married, and with her he established illustrious generations. 

Rabbonus in America 

The Greiding landsleit in Manhattan heard of the survival of their esteemed landsman who had married their illustrious rov’s granddaughter, and send money and passage for them. Rav Liebes became their leader during his early days in America. He then moved to the Bronx, where he eventually opened his own shul Turei Zohov, in the name of his ancestor. 

He began cultivating relationships with America’s gedolim, from the Bronx and beyond, including Rav Moshe Feinstein, with whom he corresponded often. He was appointed the Rosh Av Beis Din of Igud Horabonim, and executed dinei Torah without fear or favor. 

Then the Bronx began deteriorating—and his ship was the target of an arson attack on two occasions. With his last ounces of strength, the 70-year-old Rov ran through the flames to rescuethe precious sifrei Torah, collapsing thereafter. It was time to leave the Bronx, once a teeming Jewish metropolis. 

Arriving in Boro Park, his only wish was to live in modesty, and spend his days learning. But, recognizing his great caliber, and broad mastery of Torah, younger talmidei Chachomim gathered around him, seeking to learn from him. 

He was also appointed the Rov of Minyan Torah Vodaas, in which he only sought to daven quietly. 

His entire essence was middos and refined character. His hakoras hatov to anyone who had ever helped him was without bounds. 

He returned his neshomoh to its Maker on 22 Adar of the year 2000, following a lifetime of Torah leadership with great mesirus nefesh. 

Following his passing, his son-in-law, the Pittsburger Rebbe, zt”l, founded Kollel Beis Avi in his memory—continuing his golden Torah legacy which illuminated Boro Park of yesteryear.