Memory Lane: 20th yohrtzeit of Rav Naftoli Tzvi of Bobov, zt”l

YS GOLD 

This week will mark twenty years since the passing of a great tzaddik who resided in Boro Park, and was central to relocating Bobov to Boro Park, and building up its institutions here before assuming the leadership of the chassidus following the passing of his illustrious father, the Divrei Shlomo of Bobov. 

The Rebbe was born in the year 1931 in the town of Limanowa, in Galicia. 

He grew up as a crown prince in the glow of his illustrious grandfather, the Kedushas Tzion of Bobov, who presided over a massive court, and a network of yeshivos in Poland. Indeed, the Kedushas Tzion doted over his eldest grandson, and he would take walks with him in Bobov, instilling him the traditions of Torah, yiras Shamayim, and chassidus that would remain with him for life. 

With the arrival of WWII, Rav Naftuli Tzvi endured terrible experiences, constantly being on the run, constantly hiding out. He endured many difficult years until making it to Romania, and eventually from there to Eretz Yisroel where he arrived in 1945. 

Rav Naftulche spent a golden era among the exalted Yidden of Yerushalayim, and this era impacted him for life. He would make the rounds to the holy Yidden of the city, drawing inspiration and holiness from them—all the while learning with great diligence. After close to two years in this incredible atmosphere, he made his way to the reestablished court of his father who was then still on the Upper West Side of New York, and became one of the first talmidim in the reestablished Yeshiva Eitz Chaim d’Bobov. 

He was instrumental in building up the chassidus and institutions with incredible mesirus nefesh. He took this responsibility upon himself to an extreme degree. Even as he was engaged in work for the klal, he had an incredible heart for every individual. Stories of Rav Naftulche’s heartfelt assistance—and many miracles—for his fellow Yid can fill volumes. 

This was the way he spent his years at the side of his great father; with utter mesirus nefesh for everyone in need, and with an eye toward establishing institutions that would serve the young generations of the chassidus in the postwar era. 

He did all of this with extreme simplicity and extraordinary humility. He embodied the middas ha’emes, the measure of truth. He would not make a move if it wasn’t completely rooted in truth—and it is this fusion of humility, simplicity, and emes that remains his legacy. 

The Rebbe officially assumed the leadership of the chassidus in 2000 with the passing of his father, and remained Bobover Ruv for five years, until his passing on 12 Adar of 2005. 

During his short but impactful years as Rebbe, thousands from all over flocked to him, seeking the bracha of a true tzadik. From the very beginning of his leadership, he urged his chassidim - through a heartfelt letter and inspiring shmuessen - to be mechazek one another in the wake of his father’s passing and to continue in his path. He never saw himself as being on his father’s level to fully fill his seat, but rather as carrying the sacred responsibility of continuing his legacy and keeping the Bobover fire burning - a mission in which he succeeded on an extraordinary level.

Despite his illness, he poured every ounce of his strength into his avodas hakodesh, tirelessly uplifting his chassidim with brachos and kedusha. And through it all, he remained a model of humility and simplicity, embodying true greatness in the most unassuming way.