BDE: Rabbi Yechiel Yerachmiel Naparstek, 92, OBM

With great sadness we report the passing of Rabbi Yechiel Yerachmiel Naparstek, OBM, a respected Chossid and longtime resident of Kfar Chabad. He passed away on Monday, Chol Hamoed Pesach, the 19th of Nissan 5786.

He was 92 years old.

Born on 12 Tammuz 5693 (1933) in Poland to Reb Reuven Dovber and Chaya Gittel Naparstek, he endured the hardships of World War II in Soviet Russia, where he learned Torah under difficult conditions with great mesirus nefesh, and lost his mother during the wartime famine.

After the war, he escaped the Soviet Union with Chabad chassidim, passing through DP camps in Germany before continuing his learning in Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in Paris.

He later settled in Eretz Yisroel, where he was among the pioneers of Kfar Chabad and continued learning in Tomchei Temimim in Tel Aviv and Lod.

A devoted chossid and yerei Shamayim, he was known for his sincerity and warmth. He served for many years as secretary of the Beis Rivka Seminary in Kfar Chabad and was deeply dedicated to the Rebbe’s horaos, especially active in Mivtza Tefillin throughout his life.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Mrs. Leah Gittel Naparstek, along with his children:Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Naparstek, Rabbi Shlomo Dovid Naparstek, Rabbi Yisroel Naparstek, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Naparstek, Mrs. Chaya Blau (Kfar Chabad, EY), Mrs. Chana Alperin (Brazil), Mrs. Devorah Weinberg (KS), and Mrs. Nechama Dina Palace (Crown Heights).

He is also survived by his siblings, Rabbi Yechezkel Naparstek (Paris, France), Mrs. Henya Wineberg (Vancouver, Canada), and Mrs. Golda Golowinsky (Crown Heights).

He was predeceased by his brothers, Rabbi Moshe Naparstek OBM, and Rabbi Yisroel Aharon Naparstek OBM.

The Levaya will take place today, departing at 1:00 PM from his home at 19 Toras Shmuel Street in Kfar Chabad, and continuing at 3:30 PM from Shamgar Funeral Home in Yerushalayim to Har Hazeisim, where he will be laid to rest.

Baruch Dayan Hoemes