8 Nisan · Yahrzeit
Rabbi Mordechai Shapiro of Neshchiz
Rabbi Mordechai (Mottle) ben Dov Ber Shapiro of Neshchiz, known as the "Rishpei Eish" - a disciple of Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov
Yahrzeit - 8 Nissan
Resting place -
Leoni in "HaZaken of Neshchiz" says: "...the Maharam was the grandson of Rabbi Yeshaya of Krakow, who served as Av Beit Din (head of the rabbinical court) of Kovel. Moreover, the Maharam's family tree traces back to Don Abarbanel. And it is known that the Abarbanel lineage traces back to King David."
The article "History of the Jews of Volhynia" in the journal "Pinkas HaKehillot Polin" (1990) states:
"Another Hasidic dynasty was the Neshchiz dynasty, founded by Rabbi Mordechai Shapiro (1748-1800), who was one of the disciples of Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov.
He was a "miracle worker," and his teachings are collected in the book "Rishpei Eish" [sparks of fire]. His firstborn son, Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh (1780-1830), lived in Kovel, Neshchiz, and Trisk.
A son born in his old age, Rabbi Yitzchak (1789-1868), was a disciple of Rabbi Baruch of Medzhybizh and the Seer of Lublin.
Rabbi Motle of Neshchiz was influenced by Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.
Reb Mordechai ate only a loaf of bread all week, and on Shabbat he would add herring — for the meal.
Sipurei Tzadikim
A Horse for an Etrog
Before the holiday of Sukkot, Rabbi Mordechai set out for the city of Brody to buy an etrog.
In his pocket he had about 10 rubles, which he had painstakingly saved up over the year, bit by bit. As he was walking through the city, he suddenly came upon a man standing and weeping bitterly. Reb Mordechai's heart was stirred, and he could not pass by, so he asked the man: "My brother, why are you crying?"
"Woe is me," said the man between sobs, "a terrible misfortune has befallen me. I am from a small town nearby, and I am a water carrier. I have a cart, a horse, and a jug with which I draw water from the well in the field to sell to the townspeople. It is a poor and desperate living, but at least my family gets its sustenance from it. But today, as I was returning to town with the water, my horse suddenly collapsed and died. Here I stand now, before the holiday, without a penny in my pocket and with a dead horse. How can I support my family now that I have no money for a new horse?"
Reb Mordechai was deeply moved by this story, reached into his pocket, and gave the man 10 rubles, saying: "Go, buy yourself a new horse."
Reb Mordechai returned home in an exuberant mood. His face shone with joy as he said to his chassidim: "Thank G-d for preparing for me the finest mitzvah for this Sukkot holiday. This year all the people will recite a blessing over an etrog, and I will recite mine over a horse — and I am content with my lot."
His chassidim swear that they heard a Heavenly Voice exclaim: "Fortunate are you, Reb Mordechai, for your mitzvah — your good deed — far outweighs all the etrog mitzvot in the world!"
Chassidut on Tehillim 136 – Rabbi Mordechai of Neshchiz
https://silatehilim.com/хасидут-на-теилим-раби-мордехай-из-нес/
May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael!