The world of Torah was plunged into deep mourning with the bitter news of the passing on Monday, 14th of Sivan, of one of the major Torah disseminators of Torah who produced, in his last twenty years, cadres of great talmidei chachomim and gedolei Torah umussar, and who, besides, had the privilege of studying under the Torah giants of the previous generation. He, himself, was a brilliant talmid chochom, fully versed in all areas of Torah who published many significant Torah works which have become precious standard texts throughout the Torah world, profound seforim which are the product of his many years of toil in Torah.
R' Dovid Yitzchok Mann was born in Elul, 5704, to HaRav Mordechai Leib Mann, one of the heads of Yeshivas Beis Yosef in Tel Aviv and later, Rosh Yeshivas Beis Hillel in Bnei Brak and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. In such a home, grounded in limitless Torah and avodas Hashem, R' Dovid Yitzchok grew and flourished in kedusha, devoting every minute to diligent study. In this home atmosphere he absorbed his love for and adherence to Torah, as well as nobility of character in the spirit of Jewish tradition as handed down through all generations.
As a boy of nine, he went to study in Yeshivas Tiferes Zion in Bnei Brak per the specific directive of the Chazon Ish. From there, he went on to study in the Ponovezh Yeshiva Ketana under HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz and yblt"a HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman. Here, too, he stood out as a very gifted student, blessed with exalted character traits and a very pleasant manner towards one and all.
Shortly after his bar mitzvah, he transferred to Yeshivas Ponovezh itself, and here, too, he shone. Impressive was his unusual hasmodoh, which knew no bounds.
He became closely attached to his mentors, Maran HaRav Shach, HaRav Povarsky and HaRav Rozovsky. These roshei yeshiva hailed his tremendous capacity of absorption and retention and recognized him as an up and coming star on the horizon of Torah leadership.
In 5727, he married Sarah, daughter of HaRav Eliyahu Mishkovsky, Rosh Yeshivas Knesses Chizkiyohu and rav of Kfar Chassidim, who hand-picked him as his future successor. HaRav Dovid Yitzchok continued his studies after his marriage, devoting himself day and night, with exceptional fervor and diligence. He was one of the most outstanding scholars of this generation in profundity, as so many testified. In 5733, his great father-in-law, HaRav Eliyahu Mishkovsky, appointed him as Ra"m in Yeshivas Knesses Chizkiyohu, where he continued to serve for the next forty years, delivering his shiurim.
In 5741, with the sudden passing of his father-in-law, the Rosh Yeshiva, he was appointed as his successor, and from then on, began delivering a shiur kloli in the yeshiva.
His shiurim were famous for their depth of thought, sharpness and broad scope in every branch of the Talmud. He attracted thousands of students who sought to imbibe from his wisdom.
He published three works: "Be'er Miriam - Hilchos Melochim", a work that garnered the enthusiastic approbation of HaRav Shach; "Succas Dovid" on Maseches Succah; and two volumes of "Yad Melech" on the Rambam — on Hilchos Mamrim and Hilchos Chovel Umazik. He also wrote a three volume work, "Tehillah leDovid" on Shulchan Oruch Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deia and Evven HaEzer, plus an additional work on Kodshim which he prepared for publication. In addition, he wrote nine volumes of "De'i Ba'er" on the Torah, which demonstrate knowledge of all the commentaries of Chazal on Nevi'im and Kesuvim. These works were based on shiurim in depth which he delivered every Friday night in the yeshiva.
He contracted a difficult disease three years ago, which progressively weakened him. But even during his illness, he continued to deliver his shiurim with the last ounce of his strength. On the times when he was physically unable to do so, he appointed his son, R' Yehoshua, to fill his place. On Monday, the fourteenth of Sivan, 5777, his condition rapidly deteriorated and at 4:00 p.m., he returned his pain-ridden soul to his Maker.
He is survived by his wife and his sons and sons-in-law who are avreichim and marbitzei Torah in Israel. His brothers and brothers-in-law are roshei yeshiva in Yerushalayim and Bnei Brak.
