Joseph Hurwitz
Encyclopedia
Yosef Yozel Horowitz also Yosef Yoizel Hurwitz, known as the Alter of Novardok (1849–1919) was a student of Rabbi Yisroel Salanter. He established a large yeshiva
in Novardok, and some of his discourses were recorded in the book Madregat Ha-Adam (Hebrew: מדרגת האדם, Stature of Man). The most basic and important theme in his book is Bitachon (trust in God).
There is even one event of trust told in his book, that is thought to be about him himself. It describes a person learning alone at night and his candle running out and he trusted in Hashem and someone in the middle of the night brought him a new candle. His followers would board trains in time of civil war with no fear and establish hundreds of yeshiva
s in Russia. After the rise of communism, the students of these yeshiva
s fled to Poland, crossing the border to Poland illegally.
Eventually the movement got involved in a financial dispute with other yeshivas over funding. The leaders were claiming each Novardok yeshiva should be considered as one entire yeshiva. Opponents wanted all Novardok yeshivas to be considered as one. In spite of the lowering of standards that this indicates, the movement from all indications that are available formed and produced people of great ethics.
The Novardok yeshiva
s were all called "Yeshivas Beis Yosef" in honour of Rabbi Horwitz. All of the Novardok yeshiva
s in Europe were wiped out during the Holocaust. The only European yeshiva
which survived the war was Gateshead Talmudical College
which is officially called "Yeshivas Beis Yosef" of Gateshead. A branch of Novardok was founded in Jerusalem under the leadership of Rabbi Ben Zion Bruk.
Some of Rb Horwitz's great-grandchildren, such as Rabbi Yechiel Perr of Far Rockaway New York, currently reside in America.
Novardok yeshiva
The Novardok yeshiva in Navahrudak, then the Russian Empire, was one of the biggest and most important yeshivas in pre-World War II Europe, and a powerful force within the Mussar movement. The yeshiva was established in 1896, together with a Kollel for married men, under the direction of Rabbi...
in Novardok, and some of his discourses were recorded in the book Madregat Ha-Adam (Hebrew: מדרגת האדם, Stature of Man). The most basic and important theme in his book is Bitachon (trust in God).
There is even one event of trust told in his book, that is thought to be about him himself. It describes a person learning alone at night and his candle running out and he trusted in Hashem and someone in the middle of the night brought him a new candle. His followers would board trains in time of civil war with no fear and establish hundreds of yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
s in Russia. After the rise of communism, the students of these yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
s fled to Poland, crossing the border to Poland illegally.
Eventually the movement got involved in a financial dispute with other yeshivas over funding. The leaders were claiming each Novardok yeshiva should be considered as one entire yeshiva. Opponents wanted all Novardok yeshivas to be considered as one. In spite of the lowering of standards that this indicates, the movement from all indications that are available formed and produced people of great ethics.
The Novardok yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
s were all called "Yeshivas Beis Yosef" in honour of Rabbi Horwitz. All of the Novardok yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
s in Europe were wiped out during the Holocaust. The only European yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
which survived the war was Gateshead Talmudical College
Gateshead Talmudical College
Gateshead Talmudical College , popularly known as Gateshead Yeshiva, is located in the town of Gateshead in England. It is the largest yeshiva in Europe and considered to be one of the most prestigious advanced yeshivas in the Orthodox world. The student body currently numbers 350...
which is officially called "Yeshivas Beis Yosef" of Gateshead. A branch of Novardok was founded in Jerusalem under the leadership of Rabbi Ben Zion Bruk.
Some of Rb Horwitz's great-grandchildren, such as Rabbi Yechiel Perr of Far Rockaway New York, currently reside in America.