Harav Chanoch Henoch Dov Zilberfarb was born in Koidenov in 5650/1890. His father was Harav Meshulam Zalman Yosef of Toporow, the son-in-law of Harav Aharon of Koidenov.
Harav Meshulam Zalman was famed for his avodas Hashem, to such a degree that the Alter of Slabodka, Harav Nosson Tzvi Finkel, used to send bachurim to Koidenov to see how he recited Krias Shema and davened. Reb Meshulam Zalman stamped his feet so hard in hislahavus that the wooden floor where he stood had to be periodically replaced. It took him two hours to recite Kiddush Levanah, even in the freezing cold of mid-winter. Reb Meshulam Zalman was appointed Rebbe after his father-in-law was niftar on 26 Elul 5657/1897.
Reb Chanoch Henoch married the daughter of Harav Mordechai Yosef Moshe Moskowitz of Sulitza.
After the petirah of his father-in-law, on 11 Sivan 5689/1929, Reb Chanoch Henoch was appointed Rebbe in his stead in Butashan, Romania. In no time he became one of that country’s most famed Rebbes.
During World War II, thousands of Romanian Jews were banished to work camps; those who remained in towns needed a special permit. To shelter someone without such a permit put one at risk of being banished oneself. Despite this danger, Reb Chanoch Henoch sheltered dozens of illegal refugees in the spacious cellar of his home throughout the war years supplying not only their physical needs but providing spiritual succor and comfort as well.
In 5708/1948, Reb Chanoch Henoch left Communist Romania, moved to Eretz Yisrael and re-established his court, opening a beis medrash in Tel Aviv. His arrival was cause for much joy amongst the Koidenov Chassidim in the country.
Even though Reb Chanoch Henoch was totally blind during the last 20 years of his life, he would always stare into the sefer Torah before saying Birkas haTorah as if he were scrutinizing its words. One Sukkos someone asked him the reason for this strange custom. After entering his sukkah, Reb Chanoch Henoch seized the person’s hand and said to him, “Listen carefully, I’m not going to lie in the sukkah. Believe me that I never say Birkas HaTorah without seeing the letters of the sefer Torah before my eyes.”
But, despite his blindness, his memory did not fail him, and he was able to recite many Gemaras by heart without making a mistake.
Reb Chanoch Henoch was niftar on 8 Av 5738/1988, at the age of 87. Zechuso yagen aleinu.
