Posted on 11/22/25
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 21, 2025 - Much has been said about my dear friend and colleague Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt”l since his sudden passing on Shemini Atzeres. As the shloshim have passed, I would like to share some personal memories.
My relationship with Rabbi Hauer zt”l goes back over 40 years, when we both arrived at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel for Beis Medrash on the very same day. He was coming from the Yeshiva Gedola of Montreal, and I was coming from Telshe Chicago. While we were friends from that time, our relationship deepened considerably years later as Rabbonim in our respective shuls, just two blocks apart on Park Heights Avenue in Baltimore.
For sixteen consecutive years, we traded places on Tzom Gedalia – Rabbi Hauer came to speak in my shul, and I spoke in his shul. It was a unique opportunity and a meaningful connection for both of us.
As a teacher in WITS Seminary located in his shul, over the past 25 years I was zocheh to gain an even deeper glimpse of his ongoing Torah v’chesed, his care and concern – fully engaged as nosai b’ol im chavairo, and his remarkable Ahavas Yisroel. He was a constant presence there delivering thousands of shiurim on an array of topics – year-round with special lectures on Yomim Tovim - that resonated with men and women of all ages and backgrounds.
I observed in the hallway of his shul Kollel yungeleit, who I knew well, coming and going, who he mentored, spending time developing their rabbinic skills, giving them the opportunity to observe him in action. Many of these talmidim are today Rabbanim themselves, proudly following in the illustrious footsteps of their Rebbi zt”l.
Rabbi Hauer was particularly adept in relating to his fellow man. We were all familiar with his trademark gentle, calm tone, and his messages were always rooted in a Torah perspective, succinct and to the point. He connected to people beautifully, both in times of simcha and, r”l, in times of difficulty.
He possessed a rare ability to understand complex issues, to devise solutions, and to galvanize people to follow his lead. Through his vision and guidance, he elevated the level of Torah, Avodah, and Gemilus Chasadim throughout our community. I attended many meetings with Rabbi Hauer and personally saw how he defined the word “avreich” – Av B’chachma v’rach b’shanim - “old” in wisdom despite being young in years.
Later, at the Orthodox Union, he continued to utilize those same skills to assist Yidden worldwide, leaving a tangible and lasting impact.
I was privileged to see a beautiful scene yearly on Yom Kippur night. Typically, our shul finished shortly before Rabbi Hauer’s and as I walked home and passed his shul, I saw a vast crowd exiting the shul. The group included all ages, including the elderly assisted by canes or walkers. It was apparent from their faces that they had just been inspired by Rabbi Hauer’s beautiful davening and divrei hisorerus. I was touched by this “mee k’amcha Yisroel” moment and in the following years I hoped that the timing would work out again to see this “hailigeh” moment.
Rabbi Hauer and ybl”c his Rebbetzin raised a beautiful family of Yirei Shamayim, marbitzei Torah, and baalei midos who continue the mission of their parents – in several communities in America and in Eretz Yisroel. Despite his busy schedule as a Rav and at the OU he never lost sight of what was most important to him – his family. I recall him once commenting, “As a Rav, no matter how busy the day may have been, I always made every effort to be home with my family for supper every night”. His sense of priorities was readily apparent.
People throughout Baltimore and all over the world continue to mourn the loss of such a special person who was indeed “larger than life”.
Yehi Zichro Baruch.