RABBI YOSEF LEIBERMAN, zt”l (1927 – 2023) was born in Pershburg to Rabbi Tuvia Lieberman, who was a descendant of Chatam Sofer, and to Rochel, daughter of Rabbi Yekutiel Friediger, a descendant of Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Tversky of Cherkas. As a child he became close to Rabbi Akiva Sofer, a relationship that continued even when they immigrated to Israel. He married Malka, daughter of Rabbi Yechiel Chaim Lavin, the Rebbe of Makava. He was close to Rabbi Dov Barish Weidenfeld, Rabbi of Chevin, who married his father’s sister in a second marriage. His sister -in-law was married to Rav Aaron Belzer, and he had a chavrusa with the Ba’al Matok Mi’Dvash.

Rabbi Lieberman was appointed to serve as the head of the Shomrei HaChomot kollel. and has served as the rabbi of the Sedigora Beit Midrash in the Neveh Tzvi neighborhood of Jerusalem. In recent years, he moved to the house of his son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Fox, in the Ramot neighborhood, but on most Shabbats he is at Beit Midrash Sedigura.

Having worked his entire life as an architect in order to support his family, Rav Lieberman has never been paid to learn, yet he has managed to accumulate an immense depth and breadth of knowledge, and to become a very prolific contributor to the literature of Torah thought, with over 20 published works on halacha and some persuhim on the Zohar. Rabbi Lieberman is considered a well-respected arbiter of halachic matters, and even Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Weiss permitted the southern Arava in Shmita based on his method.

In addition to his vast accomplishments in learning, Rav Lieberman had first-hand experiences with many gedolim, which he has shared with Rabbi Gerzi over two decades as they sat together and as Rabbi Gerzi completed a shimush with Rav Lieberman. Rabbi Gerzi refers to Rabbi Lieberman as a “walking mussar sefer,” a man who is extremely emotionally and intellectually honest, and who takes the time to think methodically before each action to ensure that his behavior aligns with halacha and derech eretz. Rabbi Gerzi looks to Rabbi Lieberman as a model for constant mindfulness and patience, as well as diligence and perseverance.

Rabbi Leiberman was like a walking Mussar sefer. He stopped to think and to act upon his thinking
to make sure that it falls within the realms of halacha and derech eretz.