Chaim Alter Nissan Shimon Shimchovitch

2025-10-27T19:06:12Z

151.204.153.34: /* His Students */

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 ==

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 Lubavitch|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 [[The Rebbe Rashab|Rebbe Rashab]].

=== As Mashpia ===

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 Shchedrin|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 ===
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 ==
He had many students, among them:

* Rabbi [[Moshe Ashkenazi]]
* Rabbi [[Ephraim Wolf]]
* Rabbi [[David Chanzin]]
* Rabbi [[David Goldberg|Dovid Goldberg]]
* Rabbi [[Avraham Hersh Cohen]]
* Rabbi [[Menachem Mendel Brock|Menachem Mendel Brook]]
== His Writings ==

'''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 ==

[http://beta.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=25126&st=&pgnum=18&hilite= Rabbi Shimon Glitzenstein, "Man of Virtue and Noble Spirit"], in Chabad Bulletin Issue 8, p. 18

[https://derher.org/wp-content/uploads/81-iyar-5779-about-reb-alter-simchovitch.pdf "Life of a Chassid"] in the A Chassidisher Derher magazine

[http://teshura.com/Laufer-Deitsch%20-%20Sivan%2011%2C%205772.pdf "Three letters he wrote"] in the Teshurah Laufer Deutsch Sivan 5772

[https://col.org.il/news/161905 "Descendants of Rabbi Alter Shimchovitch z"l dedicated a classroom in his memory"]
== Further Reading ==

'''Gan Eden HaElyon''', notes he wrote, his will and additional writings in first publication - in the [[Techayenu]] magazine Issue 10, [[Elul]] [[5779]] page 86

[[Category:from Jerusalem]]
[[Category:in yeshivas]]
[[Category:from Warsaw]]
[[Category:Tmimim Shchedrin staff]]
[[Category:family]]
[[Category:who passed away in 5699]]
[[Category:from Shchedrin]]
[[he:חיים אלטר ניסן שמעון שימחוביץ']]

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Chaim Alter Nissan Shimon Shimchovitch