Bereaved and mourning, thousands of people accompanied Rebbetzin Ettel Soloveitchik, wife of the late HaRav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk and son of HaRav Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik, to her final rest last Thursday evening, eve of the 8th of Sivan. She passed away at the ripe old age of ninety-two after a long life of great merit and good deeds, the proud mother of legions of descendants of gedolei Torah and horo'oh.
With her passing, Jerusalem lost a remaining figure of a generation gone by, the great wife who stood by the side of her illustrious husband with extreme devotion and sacrifice in establishing and upholding the fortresses of Torah and yirah.
The Rebbetzin was born on the 15th of Kislev, 5682 (1922), to HaRav Yitzchok Weinstein, one of the leading disciples of Yeshivas Novardok and Av Beis Din of Vishnova, son-in-law of HaRav Shlomo Tzimbalist, who was son-in-law of HaRav Yehoshua of Horodno.
In her childhood years, she was privileged to come to Yerushalayim, and over the years, gained the reputation as an outstanding teacher, devoted to the education of Jewish girls in the true spirit of our ancestors. When her father-in-law, the Rav of Brisk, asked that teachers study with his daughter in his home, he chose her for the coveted honor.
She was utterly devoted throughout her life to her husband, serving as his right hand in helping him establish his yeshiva and producing thousands of disciples. She did all in her power so that he be able to devote himself exclusively to Torah without disturbances.
For thirty-two years, since the 2nd of Adar, 5740, after the passing of her famous husband, she continued to administer her home, the House of Brisk, through exemplary devotion to her sons and descendants who dedicated their whole lives to Torah, while exhibiting wisdom and clarity in all her ways.
On Thursday, she suddenly collapsed in her home and felt very ill. All efforts to resuscitate her were in vain and she returned her very pure soul to its Maker.
The Rebbetzin was the mother of royalty. Her brilliant sons, esteemed and prestigious, follow the path of their glorious ancestors: HaRav Avraham Yehoshua, HaRav Chaim, HaRav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Leib, HaRav Refael and HaRav Moshe Aharon.
The funeral left from her home to Har Hazeisim, with thousands accompanying this woman who was an exemplary figure for righteousness and self sacrifice for Torah.
