Rabbi Aryeh Leibish Horowitz, Rabbi of Stryj, Author of Horei Besomim

"A rabbi in Zalozce, 5631-5634 (1871-1874); the rabbi of Seret in Bukovina, 5634-5638 (1874-1878); a rabbi in Stryy, 5638-5664 (1878-1903). The rabbi of Stanislfav, 5664-5669 (1904-1909). The autor of the two volume responsa book "Harei Besamim" (Lvov, 1897)." -- Rabbis of Stanislav of the Horowitz Family (Notes from the Family Tree), translated by Jerrold Landau, http://www.jewishgen.org/Yizkor/stanislawow-arim/staph064.html

After the death of Rabbi Yitzchak, there was no question at all about his replacement. The entire community saw it as an honor and glory for themselves to transfer the rabbinate to the only son of the deceased, who was already known as a choice rabbi and great man of the generation. This time the community came with an established claim. In truth, had it not been for the sense of obligation that Rabbi Aryeh Leibush felt toward the dynasty, he would not have wished to leave the community of Stryj in which he had lived for so many years, and where he was loved and revered by the members of the community, to move to Stanislawow in his old age. However the established claim (chazaka) was decisive. The community prepared a letter of appointment with all due honor. He responded to it and came to occupy the seat of his fathers already in the winter of that year, the year 5664. Rabbi Aryeh Leibush was born in the year 5607 (1847). From his youth, he studied a great deal of Torah and learning never left his mouth. He was accepted as the rabbi and head of the rabbinical court of Zalozce, the birthplace of his father, already in 5631 (1871). He was appointed as the rabbi of Stryj in 5639 (1879), where he became known as one of the great rabbis of the generation. From near and far, rabbis sent questions and responsa to him, for he was known for his sharpness and breadth of knowledge, as someone who knew how to penetrate into the depths of Gemara and reasoning, and to clarify the question that was presented to him from all its angles, and to make a Halachic decision which will not be disputed later. His influencing and clear style also attracted the questioners, who were anxious to receive his fine answer with all its details. His mouth also dripped with pearls. His oratory style was fine, pleasant and sweeping. Whether it was a Torah lecture at a celebration, a rabbinical sermon, or a speech in German, everything was pleasing to the ear of the audience, and attracted their hearts. He knew how to tailor his words according to the type of audience with unusual tact.

He published his book of responsa Harei Besamim, in two volumes. The first volume was published in Lwow in the year 5642 (1882), and the second volume in 5657 (1897). He also published the booklet called Haga Aryeh which included the first sermon that he preached before the community of Stanislawow after he was appointed as rabbi and head of the rabbinical court there. He also had some Hassidic leanings. He traveled to the Tzadik Rabbi David Moshe of Czortkow while he was still living in Stryj. During one of my visits to him, I was brazen enough to ask to ask him, “Why do you see it appropriate to travel to Czortkow?” He answered me that he goes there not as a Hassid but rather as a friend. And when I asked him, “However, the world believes that friendship is supposed to be mutual, and we have never heard that the Rebbe of Czortkow visits you?” He received my words with his unique style, but he had no additional response and he turned the conversation to a different topic…

In Stryj he assisted in the foundation of the “General Cheder” to the dismay of the zealots. This was somewhat dangerous to him, for even though he was already a famous Gaon, respected and revered by his community, there were zealots who rose up against him and persecuted him on this account. I found out that the head of the community was even so brazen as to withhold payment of his salary for a period of time. However, as I have already said, he lived in Stryj with great honor. People exalted him and cleaved to him. He also liked the city, and enjoyed living there. I remember that when I visited him there during my youth, he strolled through the streets of the city with me and showed me with fondness and satisfaction the fine appearance of the city until we reached the riverbank outside of it, where he showed me the beauty of the view.

He was received with honor and esteem in our Stanislawow. Every one treaded with him with honor for the few years that he lived there. Even with this, he was homesick for Stryj. He even told me this once. He said that in Stryj they treated him not only with honor but also friendship. “They would come to visit me, especially during my younger days which are dear to me. They would come to my house. On the other hand, in Stanislawow, they honor me too much but do not befriend me, or they are not so brazen as to befriend me.” He complained further that the youth do not come to visit him. He even named by name several of the excellent youths in the city and asked me with astonishment, “Why do they not come to me?”

Rabbi Aryeh Leibush founded the famous Yeshiva in Stanislawow. He appointed Rabbi Yekutiel Kamelhar as the Rosh Yeshiva. He led the Yeshiva for many years. Rabbi Leibush used to visit the Yeshiva himself, take interest in the students and their studies, and on occasion delivered a lesson to them.

He viewed Zionism with admiration, but he was not one of its adherents. He esteemed the basic idea, but due to his calm and deliberate disposition, he was careful about every word, and he was not able to affirm the apparent revolutionary tactics and radical behavior of the adherents of the movement at that time. After the death of Herzl, he delivered a eulogy with appropriate honor.

On December 2, 1908, on the 60th anniversary of the ascension to the throne of Kaiser Franz Josef I, medals of excellence were given out. Rabbi Aryeh Leibush also received a “Cross of the Mighty Ones of the Order of Franz Josef”. He did not particularly value this. Only once he told me with a smile that clothing manufacturing firms from Vienna send him their catalogs, so he can choose appropriate clothing as a “Mighty One of the Order”.

Rabbi Aryeh Leibush's awe preceded his wisdom. He was modest in all his ways, pleasant and friendly with his fellow, greeting everyone pleasantly and with an enthusiastic smile on his lips. He had an imposing and handsome appearance and the unique grace of a renowned scholar. However, as I have mentioned, his tenure in Stanislawow was not long. He only spent five years there, and these included one year of his own serious illness, and another year of the illness of the rebbetzin. This only left him with a brief time for his valuable work. He contracted cancer which brought him to his grave. He died at the age of 62 on the 21st of Sivan 5669 (1909) and was buried in the canopy next to his father and grandfather. He left behind two sons, neither of which was a rabbi. One of them, Reb Shaul, was not proficient in the ways of the world. His entire interest was in Torah and prayer. He lived in Komarno, and was not interested in the rabbinate. The second one, Reb Pinchas, was quite similar to his father, but also did not want the rabbinate, even though he would have been able to fill the place of his father. It is said that during the shiva mourning period, the regional ruler and court adviser Prokowcicz came to comfort the family. As he turned to leave, he said to Reb Pinchas, “Your honor should certainly place yourself in a position to take the place of your late father. Know that I am willing to support you.” However, as has been mentioned, he forewent this honor.

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