A cloak of heavy mourning descended on the yeshiva world upon
hearing about the histalkus of HaRav Avrohom Yaakov
Zeidel Epstein zt"l, menahel ruchani at
Yeshivas Torah Ohr and one of the great mashgichim of
our generation, who returned his refined soul to his Maker on
Tuesday.
He was a talmid muvhok of HaRav Shimon Shkop
zt"l and the Mashgiach HaRav Shlomo Harkaby
Hy"d.
When his health began to fail on Monday he was taken to
Shaarei Tzedek Hospital and his soul departed heavenward
early Tuesday morning as his talmidim accepted Ol
Malchus Shomayim at his bedside.
Starting at Yeshivas Torah Ohr, where he taught Torah and
mussar for the past 30 years, the levaya was
attended by roshei yeshivos, rabbonim, dayonim and
thousands of his talmidim spanning several
generations.
The streets turned black early Tuesday afternoon as an
endless stream of avreichim and bnei Torah
gathered near the holy yeshiva.
The first of the hespeidim was given by the rosh
yeshiva of Yeshivas Torah Ohr, HaRav Chaim Pinchos
Scheinberg, who lamented the loss of the Mashgiach. Citing
the verse, "Veho'ish Moshe onov me'od mikol ho'odom asher
al pnei ho'adomoh" (Bamidbor 12:3), he said, "The
Mashgiach zt"l was a godol beTorah, but despite
his tremendous greatness he remained humble, always relating
to others in a down-to-earth manner. We must learn from his
ways and this will bring tremendous merit in his memory."
HaRav Michel Zilber also spoke of his humility, saying HaRav
Zeidel had reached the state mentioned in Chovos
Halevovos, where honor and insult are one and the
same.
Next HaRav Yaakov Hillel said the verse, "Hanistoros
leHashem Elokeinu vehaniglos lonu ulevoneinu" (Devorim
29:28) applied to the niftar. He said there were many
facets to HaRav Epstein that were known only to HaKodosh
Boruch Hu, but that those aspects of him that were known
to all — such as his elevated middos and his
exceptional hakoras hatov — should serve as an
example. He recalled how even at an advanced age he would
bring joy to every chosson and kallah as if he
were a young man. He also said every day he would study
hidden aspects of the Torah at Yeshivas Ahavas Shalom, taking
pains to conceal his knowledge in both nigleh and
nistar.
HaRav Yisroel Gans said that HaRav Epstein's entire life was
a foundation of complete faith in HaKodosh Boruch Hu
and his final words were, "Rabboh emunosechoh." He
recalled that at the funeral for HaRav Meir Chodosh
zt"l, HaRav Wolbe zt"l said that the generation
had three mashgichim — HaRav Meir Chodosh, HaRav
Zeidel Epstein and ylct"a HaRav Gedaliah Eismann
— and now only two remained. Thus, concluded HaRav
Gans, today only one remains.
HaRav Yisroel Aharon Kopshitz said HaRav Epstein was an heir
to the legacy of Aharon HaKohen — "oheiv sholom
verodef sholom." Hespeidim were also given by the
deceased's son, HaRav Meir, and his grandson, HaRav Moshe Ben
Tzion.
The levaya then set out on foot for Har Hazeisim.
After stimas hagolel a eulogy was delivered by HaRav
Simcha Scheinberg, who said since his arrival at the yeshiva
30 years ago HaRav Zeidel refused to accept any compensation
for serving as mashgiach. He had an intimate
friendship with the Rosh Yeshiva ylct"a until his
final day on earth. He also recalled that while HaRav Epstein
was living in the US he maintained the same deveikus,
unassuming ways and modesty as during his days as a
bochur in Grodno.
HaRav Avrohom Yaakov Zeidel Epstein zt"l lost his
eldest son, HaRav Shimon Yehuda, six years ago, and is
survived by his sons, HaRav Chaim Yisroel, HaRav Boruch,
HaRav Meir and HaRav Dovid, his daughter, who is married to
HaRav Chaim Twersky, and thousands of talmidim
mourning the loss of their rebbe.
(We hope to publish more about HaRav Epstein next week,
iy"H.)
