A large crowd, including HaRav Shmuel Auerbach shlita, was on hand Motzei Shabbos Parshas Yisro to lay to rest Rav Yaakov Zev Petrof zt"l, who passed away on Shabbos at the age of 81.
Born in Toronto to Polish immigrants, he was among a small handful of Toronto Jews enrolled at a cheder. He was taught by HaRav Zelig Epstein, later rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Shaar HaTorah, and he formed a strong bond with HaRav Yaakov Kamenetsky, then officiating there, who the deceased later said had a strong impact on shaping his character.
He married the daughter of HaRav Abramson, an alumnus of Yeshivas Novardok. She was the granddaughter of HaRav Yehoshua Zelig Tarshish, commonly known as "the tzaddik of Chelm."
He spent many years working on Artscroll's translation of Rashi on the Torah as well as halacha books published by Degel Yerushalayim.
Throughout his lifetime he was infused with hakoras hatov, never overlooking an opportunity to thank Borei Olam for succeeding in raising Torah-true children, despite the many obstacles during his first years in Eretz Yisroel.
Hespeidim were given by HaRav Shmuel Auerbach, HaRav A. Weiss, HaRav N. Heisler, rov of the Sanhedria Murchevet neighborhood, the deceased's firstborn son, HaRav Yehoshua, rov of Kehillas Bnei Hayeshivas Cheftzibah-Beit Shemesh.
