Yosef Yozel Horwitz

Yosef Yozel Horowitz , also Yosef Yoizel Hurwitz, known as the Alter of Novardok (1847–December 9, 1919), was a student of Rabbi Yisroel Salanter, the founder of the Musar movement. The Alter was also a student of Rabbis Yitzchak Blazer and Simcha Zissel Ziv and spent some time in Brest, learning from Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik. He established the Novardok yeshiva in the city of Navahrudak. Additionally, he established a network of yeshivas in Dvinsk, Minsk, Warsaw, Berdichev, Lida and Zetl. in Plongian, Lithuania. His father was Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Ziv (later Horowitz), Yosef Yozel had three brothers and four sisters. The Alter acquired his basic education under the supervision of his father. he met Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, who was the rabbi of Memel at that time. After attending a number of Salanter's classes and meeting with him, The Alter decided to close his business, leave Shvekesna, and to study Torah full-time in Kovno. This was met with some opposition from his father, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Horowitz, and from Rabbi Yisroel Salanter, both of whom were concerned about the reaction of his wife to the decision. He assured them, however, that “she has always understood me, and she will understand me this time, too.”

Forced to leave In 1881/1882, the maskilim published a series of articles in which they ridiculed The Alter's seclusion. Later, they threw a bundle of forged banknotes into his yard and then informed the police that his hideout was a base for the manufacture of counterfeit money. That day, The Alter's mother came to visit him and she burned the bundle. Soon afterward, the police stormed The Alter's room and broke down the wall. Although they found nothing suspicious, they forbade him to live in seclusion.

The anniversary of his passing - the 17th of Kislev - remains an important commemoratory date among Novardokers, who would gather together that day to strengthen each other.

Opposition The Alter was exposed to criticism from Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor. While Novardok engaged in regular daily sessions of critical self analysis of one's personality and motivations as well as a de-emphasis of worldly physical pleasures and comforts, Hillel Goldberg notes that disciples of Novardok were among the happiest people in the yeshivah world. Furthermore, their ability to meet the challenges of their time with calm and consistent commitment to their values, was unmatched by their peers outside of the Novardok yeshiva network. (1905–1997).

Teachings "A person should give up his whole future for today, so that he will not waste all his todays for one tomorrow."

When a typhus epidemic in Kiev severely affected his yeshiva's students as well, "Rabbi Joseph Jozel was found cleaning the yeshiva toilets."

External links & Reading BitachonBoost.com for an elucidation of part of Rabbi Horowitz's work. Madreigas Haadam - Darchei HaBitachon, Artscroll Publications The Alter of Novardok, Artscroll Publications To Turn the Many to Righteousness: Mezake Harabim, Feldheim Publications The World of Novardok, The Jewish Observer https://agudah.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JO1977-V12-N03-04.pdf Why Are You Running, Mishpacha Magazine, https://agudah.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JO1977-V12-N03-04.pdf