
Our family is personally numb and shocked at this barbaric inhumane tragedy.
I write this with a heavy heart wondering how my brother will go on. It is as though he lived in Israel because he had the great privilege to learn with Rabbi Moshe Twersky as his learning partner every day for the last 15 years.
He came from illustrious roots, but on his own, Rabbi Twersky was a tremendous person.
I met him on many occasions at the Toras Moshe simchat beit hashoeva (celebrations on the Intermediate Days of Sukkot).
He was my brother's world, the go to person for complex questions and regular mundane life stuff. He exemplified a warm Rebbe and a loving fatherliness, while at the same time helping his students develop to their fullest potential.
He guided my brother every step of the way.He was the sandek (held the baby) at my nephews bris and just in general the moreh derech (guide) in my brother and sister-in-law's life. Everyone should have a Rebbe of that kind.
His world has just collapsed because his beloved Rebbe was brutally murdered. It was the ultimate kiddush hashem, sanctification of G-d's name, wrapped in his Tallis and Tefillin.
The holy words of his Torah though will not be forgotten. I know my brother and the entire family feel the pain so greatly. The tears will continue to fall a long time...however Rabbi Twersky lived and breathed the precious Torah and his talmidim will continue to transmit the rich mesorah (heritage) he left.
But - They will not win this war!
That's Rabbi Twersky's message to us all.
May he be a meilitz yosher (an advocate in heaven) for his family, his talmidim, my brother Yechezkel Yehuda "Chesky" and all of the Jewish people.