The Admor of Skolye passed away on Motzaei Shabbos (Parshat Shoftim) after years of severe suffering, at the age of 68.
Tens of thousands of Jews prayed for the complete recovery of the Admor, who had been in critical condition countless times before and, thank God, recovered. However, his condition significantly deteriorated last Shabbos and he was tragically niftar. Family members and Hasidim surrounded him at the time of his passing.
Shortly after his passing, his bed was brought to his Beit Midrash (study hall) in Boro Park, where the paroches was removed, and many chasidim said tehilim and lit candles le'iluy nishmoso.
This morning, the funeral procession is expected to depart from his Beit Midrash 'Yeshuot Yisrael' Skolye at 12:00, towards the cemetery in Monsey, where he will be buried next to the Admors of the Skolye dynasty.
The Skolye Rebbe was born in 1956 in Bucharest, Romania, and was destined for leadership from an early age. As the son of Rabbi Israel Abraham Portugal, the previous Skolye Rebbe, he grew up in the shadow of greatness. In his early years, he lived near his grandfather, the revered "Noam Eliezer" of Skolye, known for his efforts in helping Jews leave Romania.
When he was three, his family relocated to London, however they didn't stay there for long and soon moved again, this time settling in New York City to be near his grandfather. In Crown Heights, he began his formal education at the local Talmud Torah, after which he went to learn at the Satmar Hasidic yeshiva for young students.
At 16, he traveled to Israel to study at the prestigious Ruzhin Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Throughout these formative years, he maintained a close and special relationship with his grandfather. The depth of this connection was evident in his grandfather's touching statement: "When I come to the upper world and am asked to identify myself, I will say: 'I am the grandfather of Rabbi Yaakov Yeshaya Portugal.'"
In 1975, he married Rebbetzin Silka, daughter of Rabbi Meir Greenwald of Tetsh, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life. This union led him to Montreal, where he would later assume significant leadership roles.
Following his father-in-law's passing in 1993, he became the leader of the local Skolye community and rabbi of the "Maor Hagolah" community in Montreal.
Even before officially becoming Rebbe, people sought his blessings and advice, recognizing his wisdom. His leadership style was marked by profound humility and a unique ability to show respect for other Hasidic leaders, endearing him to many across different Hasidic courts.
The path to leadership was not without challenges. The future Rebbe faced severe health issues, including a life-threatening kidney failure. His recovery after a successful transplant was seen as miraculous, strengthened by the tefilos of his father and countless followers.
Finally, on the 25th of Adar II, 5779 (2019), following his father's passing, he assumed the mantle of leadership as the Skolye Rebbe. For five and a half years, he led his Hasidim with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering faith, continuing the legacy of his illustrious forebears until his own passing.
May he be a meilitz yosher for all of us.
