Rav Alexander Sender Yom Tov Lipa Eichenstein of Zidachov zt"l
הרב אלכסנדר סנדר יום טוב ליפא בן יצחק איזיק אייכנשטיין זצ"ל
Tishrei 11 , 5644
Father's Name: Yitzchak Issac Eichenstein
Rav Alexander Sender Yom Tov Lipa Eichenstein of Zidachov zt"l
Rav Alexander Sender was the eldest son of Rav Yitzchak Isaac of Zidachov, and the son-in-law of Rav Yehudah Leibush Yoels of Stari, the son of Rav Yaakov Tzvi of Dinov, author of Melo Ha’roim.
He received his chassidic tradition both from his father and from his relative, Rav Yehudah Tzvi of Rozdol. He was a great Torah scholar and received semicha (rabbinic ordination) from Rav Yosef Shaul Nathanson of Lvov, who expressed surprised admiration that the son of a rebbe could also know halachah so well.
He served as the Av Beis Din of Zidachov during his father’s lifetime, and already had his own followers and admirers who sought his blessings and advice. All of the tzaddikim among the chassidim who came to visit his father stayed in Rav Alexander Sender’s home. He also served as his father’s scribe, transcribing his father’s letters and approbations.
In 5633 (1873), he succeeded his father in Zidachov. This created a machlokes between his chassidim and those who wanted his brother Rav Eliyahu to become rebbe.
Rav Alexander Sender’s leadership was short-lived; he passed away at a young age after suffering a harsh illness.
On the night of his final Yom Kippur, while he was at death’s door, the chassidim carried his sickbed into the shul. In a heart-wrenching voice choked with emotion, he recited L’Dovid Mizmor. In the morning of Yom Kippur, he recited Shir HaMaalos Mi’ma’amakim, and on Motza’ei Yom Kippur he sanctified the new moon, reciting Kiddush Levanah. Rav Alexander Sender passed away the next day, the 11th of Tishrei, 5644 (1883).
His sons were Rav Yehoshua Heshel of Chodrov, Rav Yissachar Berish of Veritzki, Rav Aharon Menachem Mendel of Olesk, Rav Yoseph of Tarnipol, Rav Yehuda of Sanok and Rav Pinchas of Stari. His daughters were Liba, the wife of Rav Moshe Chaim Safrin of Altshtadt; Devorah, the wife of Rav Chaim Yechiel Rubin of Glogov; and Esther, the wife of Rav Shimshon Betzalel Neiman.