Thousands of Jews from every stream of Judaism attended
dozens of gatherings held at heichalei Torah and
kehillos kedoshos throughout the Europe to mark one
year since the histalkus of Maran HaRav Elozor
Menachem Mann Shach, zt'l, last week.
All maspidim stressed the loving guidance that HaRav
Shach provided to European Jewry for so many years, and said
that the deep sense of loss is shared by all chareidi Jews of
Europe.
In Manchester a huge atzeres was held in the hall of
Machzikei HaDas on Sunday. All the rabbonim and roshei
yeshivos of that distinguished city participated.
Speakers included HaRav Menachem Mendel Schneibalg who said
that HaRav Shach was like a great sun that shined upon all
people at whatever level they were. HaRav Eliyohu Mann, one
of the heads of Yeshivas Ohr Yisroel in Petach Tikva; and
HaRav Chizkiyohu Yosef Mishkovsky, the mashgiach of
Yeshivas Orchos Torah in Eretz Yisroel, who were sent from
Eretz Yisroel by maranan verabonon, also spoke. On Monday a
talk was given at Yeshivas Shaarei Torah by the Rosh
Yeshiva.
In Gateshead a great atzeres was held at Yeshivas
Tiferes Yaakov. Speakers included the moro de'asra and
av beis din of Gateshead HaRav Betzalel Rakow; the
Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Azriel Yaffa; HaRav Eliyohu Mann and HaRav
Chizkiyohu Yosef Mishkovsky.
The Rosh Yeshiva Harav Ezriel Yaffa said that we must
constantly renew our hespedim as the changing times
and distance in time from the petirah adds to our
feeling and understanding of the great loss. The Rosh Yeshiva
mentioned HaRav Shach's support of Yeshivas Tiferes Yaakov,
which he founded.
HaRav Mann quoted his father HaRav Mordechai Mann zt"l
that we must say, "Blessed if the G-d of Maran zt"l,"
like a goy said of HaRav Shimon Ben Shetach so many
years ago, since through the deeds and words of HaRav Shach
there was a tremendous kiddush Hashem in the world and
Maran cultivated deep emunah and pervasive yiras
Hashem in all parts of life.
HaRav Chizkiyohu Yosef Mishkovsky spoke very movingly, citing
story after story to illustrate HaRav Shach's awesome
relationship to Torah, and about his tangible emunah
and his life of constant teshuvoh and the way he lived
a life of chesed for so many and was able to deal with
so many issues and people with deep empathy and
understanding.
There were also gatherings in France and Belgium, and in many
other places around the world.
