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Sadness In Charedi World Over Sudden Passing Of Lelover Rebbe Zt'l Yom Kippur Night Bnei Brak, Israel - Thousands were on hand in the streets of Bnei Brak tonight (Motzei Yom Kippur) to take part in the funeral for the Lelover Rebbe ztl, who passed away last night after Maariv at the age of 78. The levaya is scheduled to resume in Jerusalem, where he will be buried at Mount of Olives Cemetery alongside his forefathers. Shimon Nosson Neta Biderman was born on 6 Teves 5691 (1930) to the previous rebbe, HaRav Moshe Mordechai ztl. As a boy he studied at Talmud Torah Chayei Olom in Jerusalem and then at Yeshivas Sfas Emes. Throughout his lifetime he devoted all of his energy to Torah and avodoh, serving Hashem heart and soul. From 5733 (1973) to 5747 (1987) he studied in Crown Heights under meager conditions. During this period he formed a close bond with the Lubavitcher Rebbe ztl, who held him in high regard. In 5747 (1987) he took over the mantle of leadership after his father passed away. The Rebbe�s mitoh on the steps of the aron kodesh on Motzei Yom Kippur (Photo: Uzi Barak) On the night of Yom Kippur he was able to lead Kol Nidrei, though it had to be delayed for 40 minutes because he was feeling weak. Though he usually leads Maariv as well, this year he asked someone else to take over as chazzan. Immediately following the tefiloh he retired, not setting out negel vasser as he generally does. He recited Krias Shema and settled into bed. A few minutes later, when the gabbai came to connect his oxygen, he saw the Rebbes facial coloration had changed. A medic in the shul at the time arrived and found the Rebbe was suffering from acute shortness of breath and had lost consciousness. He performed pulmonary resuscitation and summoned an intensive care ambulance, but the Rebbe returned his pure soul to his Maker en route to Beilinson Hospital. Shortly before dawn his body (with a loaf of bread placed on it) was returned by a goy to his room alongside the beis medrash where he had davined for years. The bitter news of his passing traveled swiftly around Bnei Brak. A minyon said Tehillim alongside the holy body until Shacharis. Throughout Yom Kippur people arrived in droves to pay their respects, while kohanim had to stay out of the building. The Rebbe is survived by his sons, HaRav Eliyohu Azriel, HaRav Aharon and HaRav Yaakov Yitzchok, as well as his sons-in-law, including the Nadvorner Rebbe in Tzfas.
