Rabbi Meir Zev Friedman, Father of Hornsteipel Rebbe, Passes Away in Denver

Rabbi Meir Zev Friedman, a revered Torah scholar and father of the Hornsteipel Rebbe of Beitar, passed away peacefully on the Sabbath night of Parashat Vaetchanan. Born in Denver in 1934 to Rabbi Asher Anshil David, Friedman was raised in a devout Hasidic family deeply rooted in the traditions of the Baal Shem Tov's disciples. His grandfather, Rabbi Shalom Shachna Friedman of Mezhbizh, and his other grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Overtish (later Weinstein), were prominent leaders who helped establish and maintain authentic Hasidic communities in Denver, known then as the "Jerusalem of the West."

Throughout his life, Rabbi Friedman remained committed to Torah study and community leadership. He studied under Rabbi B.H. Shlomo M.Z. Tversky of Hornsteipel, eventually becoming his son-in-law. Despite his expertise as a medical professional, he chose a humble and modest lifestyle, dedicating himself to fighting Sabbath desecration and strengthening Jewish observance. Later in life, he immigrated to Israel, where he continued his Torah scholarship and teaching, completing the Talmud multiple times and inspiring his children to pursue Torah study exclusively.

Rabbi Friedman was known for his humility, kindness, and steadfast dedication to tradition. He left behind a large, righteous family, including his son, the current Hornsteipel Rebbe of Beitar, and his brother Rabbi Yaakov Friedman, head of the "Birkhat Mordechai" yeshiva. His funeral drew large crowds who mourned the loss of a spiritual giant who bridged generations of Hasidic heritage from America to Israel. His soul is remembered as bound in the bundle of life.