Rabbi Elazar Mordechai Koenig, osb"m

Breslev Israel, Emuna Outreach and Lazer Beams mourn the passing earlier today of a tzaddik and humble giant, rabbi and spiritual leader of the Breslev movement in the holy city of Tzefat, Israel, Rabbi Elazar Mordechai Koenig, of saintly and blessed memory. Rabbi Koenig was 73, and had been bravely battling a difficult illness in recent years. With all his suffering, his smile never left his face. 

Rabbi Koenig was one of the undisputed spiritual leaders of Breslev worldwide and he represented the traditional, quiet, Torah-and-prayer oriented mainstream of Breslev. His father, the holy Rabbi Gedalia Aaron Koenig osb"m, was the student of Breslev luminary Rabbi Abraham Sternhartz, the great-grandson of Rebbe Natan of Breslev, all of saintly and blessed memory.

May Hashem console the distinguished Koenig family and all of the community in Tzefat, and may Rabbi Koenig zatza'l intercede in our behalf before the Heavenly Throne, amen.