Chaim Alter Nissan Shimon Shimchovitch
The mashpia Rabbi Chaim Alter Nissan Shimon Shimchovitch, known as "Reb Alter Shimchovitch" (5651 - 7th Nissan 5699) served as a mashpia in the Tomchei Tmimim yeshivas.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Simchovitch was born to Rabbi Yitzchak and his mother Mrs. Chaya Miriam in the town of Pochep in the year 5651.
In his youth, he studied at the Chabad Yeshiva of Pochep under Rabbi Yehoshua Natan Gnesin ("Tzvi Neta"). In Cheshvan 5665 he was accepted to the main Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim. Around the year 5668, he was sent to Tomchei Tmimim Horodishtz, where he studied under Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Havlin, who later became his son-in-law.
In the year 5672, he was sent along with six other students and the mashpia Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Havlin to Hebron, where they established the Toras Emes Hebron Yeshiva, but at the end of that year, he returned to Lubavitch, where he stayed until the year 5677.
During these years, he served as a chozer for Rebbe Rashab.
As Mashpia[edit | edit source]
On 4th Nissan 5676 he married his wife Mrs. Rivka, daughter of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Havlin. In the year 5677, he moved to Shchedrin, where he was appointed as the director of the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Shchedrin.
After the passing of Rebbe Rashab on 2nd Nissan 5680, Reb Alter traveled to Rostov. He began working as a seller of kvass (a type of fermented beverage). The deputy director of Tomchei Tmimim Rostov, Rabbi Yitzchak Goldin, suggested that he serve as a mashpia in the yeshiva. Reb Alter refused, but when he heard that Rebbe Rayatz was behind the offer, he poured his bowl of kvass on the ground and ran to the yeshiva to begin his role.
In the summer of 5681, he was sent by Rebbe Rayatz to serve as a mashpia in the Tomchei Tmimim Warsaw Yeshiva. He arrived there on Pesach 5681, and he attracted many students to the yeshiva to hear his lectures on Chassidic teachings.
During this time, he received instructions from Rebbe Rayatz to spread Chassidic teachings in synagogues through "vorts" (short insights) from the discourses and talks.
Due to the cramped living conditions in Warsaw, Reb Alter contracted tuberculosis. Following the Rebbe Rayatz's instructions, he moved to the Holy Land and settled in Jerusalem. In the month of Tammuz 5687, he recovered from his illness, and on the 24th of Tammuz, his wife passed away.
In the month of Tishrei 5689, he traveled to Riga to be with the Rebbe Rayatz during the holiday month, and in Cheshvan he returned to work at Tomchei Tmimim Warsaw.
On 14th Kislev 5689, he participated in the wedding of the Rebbe with Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, where he was instructed by Rebbe Rayatz to distribute mashke on his behalf to all the yeshiva students.
In Tammuz 5689, following requests from his family, it was decided that he would return to serve as a mashpia at Toras Emes Jerusalem.
During the decade in which he served as a mashpia, he also served as a board member, and fought stubbornly to ensure that the yeshiva management followed Rebbe Rayatz's instructions precisely.
His Passing[edit | edit source]
He passed away in his late forties, on 7th Nissan 5699, leaving behind a detailed spiritual will, which included precise instructions regarding the funeral and who was worthy to carry his coffin, and who was not.
He left behind three daughters, some of whom were raised by several of the great Chassidim of that generation. The Rebbe Rayatz was very concerned about their welfare and took great interest in them.
His Students[edit | edit source]
He had many students, among them:
- Rabbi Moshe Ashkenazi
- Rabbi Ephraim Wolf
- Rabbi David Chanzin
- Rabbi David Goldberg
- Rabbi Avraham Hersh Cohen
- Rabbi Menachem Mendel Brook
His Writings[edit | edit source]
References, Parallels and Explanations on the Tanya, notes and citations written by him on the margins of the Tanya. Edited by Rabbi Yitzchak Wilhelm, Heichal HaBaal Shem Tov, Nissan 5769. Reprinted in the Teshurah (memento) for his son's wedding, Adar Rishon 5774, under Kehot Publication.
External Links[edit | edit source]
Rabbi Shimon Glitzenstein, "Man of Virtue and Noble Spirit", in Chabad Bulletin Issue 8, p. 18
"Life of a Chassid" in the A Chassidisher Derher magazine
"Three letters he wrote" in the Teshurah Laufer Deutsch Sivan 5772
"Descendants of Rabbi Alter Shimchovitch z"l dedicated a classroom in his memory"
Further Reading[edit | edit source]
Gan Eden HaElyon, notes he wrote, his will and additional writings in first publication - in the Techayenu magazine Issue 10, Elul 5779 page 86