Mekubel Yosef Waltuch zt"l
הרב יוסף בן שמחה בונים וולטוך זצ"ל
Iyar 20 , 5743
Mekubel Yosef Waltuch zt"l
Rav Yosef Waltuch was born in Poland on the 30th of Tishrei 5682/1921. When he was eight years old his father, Rav Simcha Bunim, a descendant of the Zlotchover Maggid, moved the family to Eretz Yisrael.
At a very young age he lost his mother, but Rav Yosef found comfort in learning Torah. A masmid, he was rarely seen without a sefer in his hand.
In Yerushalayim, Rav Yosef merited a close connection with Rav Shlomo of Zhvill, also a descendant of the Zlotchov dynasty. He was also Rav Yosef’s shadchan. All Rav Yosef’s ways were based upon Rav Shlomke’s directives.
Rav Yosef lived in the Old City of Yerushalayim, and learned Kabbola on a daily basis in the nearby Yeshiva Bais Kel.
Besides his connection with the Zhviller Rebbe, Rav Yosef was also close with Rav Mordechai Sharabi, Rav Moshe Mordechai of Lelov, and Rav Meir Abuchatzeira of Ashdod.
Rav Yosef’s wife was ill all her life, spending much of her time in the hospital, but he never complained, accepting this as a Heavenly decree.
Rav Yosef always carried two heavy bags full of seforim, mainly Kabbola. One reason for this was that he did not want to lower his hands (the Gemora says that Rav Yehuda HaNosi was called Rabbeinu HaKodosh because he did not lower his hands). Another reason was that he did not want to shake hands with everybody he met; this way his hands were always full.
Rav Yosef was outstanding in all facets of the Torah.
Like many other Tzaddikim nistorim, Rav Yosef chose belittling work; he was a street sweeper in Tel Aviv. He was known as “the holy street sweeper”.
Although he lived in Tel Aviv, Rav Yosef davened at the Kosel at least once a week.
During his visits to Yerushalayim, Rav Yosef met with many of the city’s famed Mekubolim.
Fluent in many of the Arizal’s works, Rav Yosef delivered shiurim across Eretz Yisrael.
Rav Meir Abuchatzeira from Ashdod, son of the Baba Sali, was a close friend. Rav Yosef often went to Ashdod to visit Rav Meir and discuss Kabbola.
When Rav Meir was niftar on the 17th of Nissan 5743/1983, Rav Yosef said that he could not continue in this world without him. Just over a month later, on the 20th of Iyar 5743/1983, Rav Yosef was niftar. He was sixty-two.
He was buried on Har HaZeisim in Yerushalayim.
Zecher Tzaddik livrocha.
www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-20-iyarmay-20/