Torah Personalities
Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach: The Life and Legacy of a Torah Giant
How Rabbi Shach shaped the Torah world and became one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century
Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach was born on the 19th of Tevet, 5658 (January 13, 1898), in the town of Vaboilnik in northern Lithuania. He was the fourth child of Azriel Shach, a grain merchant, and Bat-Sheva Leviton, daughter of the righteous Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaLevi Leviton.
From an early age his extraordinary talent for learning was evident, and he was considered an illui (prodigy). By age 17 he was already teaching Torah.
From the Chafetz Chaim to the Chazon Ish
The greatness of his teachers helps explain how he reached such exceptional heights.
He studied under Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaCohen, known as the Chafetz Chaim, whom Rabbi Shach considered “the perfect Jew.”
He learned from Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, the Chazon Ish, one of the greatest halachic authorities of the generation.
He also studied under Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel, the famed “Alter of Slabodka.”
He was very close to Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein, the mashgiach (spiritual supervisor). He later said, “More than I owe my mother for sending me to learn Torah, I owe Rabbi Levenstein for introducing me to the world of mussar.”
World War I and the Journey to Israel
During World War I, German forces captured Kovno, where his yeshiva was located, forcing him to relocate to the Slutsk Yeshiva, headed by Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer. Later, when Rabbi Meltzer moved to Kletsk, he took his outstanding students with him — Rabbi Shach among them, who began teaching there as well.
His close connection to Rabbi Meltzer led to his marriage. Rabbi Shach married Guttel, Rabbi Meltzer’s niece. They had two daughters and one son:
Their eldest daughter passed away at age 14 from pneumonia in Lithuania.
Their second daughter, Devorah, married Rabbi Meir Tzvi Bergman.
Their only son, Dr. Ephraim Shach, passed away last year at age 81.
Rabbi Shach continued teaching in various yeshivot, including Novardok.
During the late 1930s, under communist persecution of religious Jews, he wandered from place to place. In the early 1940s, with great divine help, he immigrated to the Land of Israel, thanks to an entry permit arranged by Rabbi Meltzer.
Building Torah in the Land of Israel
Upon his arrival, Rabbi Shach grew close to Rabbi Yitzchak Ze’ev Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav, who deeply respected him. From him, Rabbi Shach absorbed the strict Lithuanian-Brisk approach, which places supreme importance on Torah study and analytical depth.
Teaching Positions in Israel
Tel Aviv: Initially taught at the Yeshivat HaYishuv HeChadash and lived in Tel Aviv.
On the instruction of the Chazon Ish, he moved to Jerusalem, where he became Rosh Yeshiva of Beit Yosef-Novardok.
Later, he taught at the Lomza Yeshiva in Petach Tikvah.
He also taught at the South-Kletzk Yeshiva in Rechovot.
Every weekend he would travel to Bnei Brak to visit the Chazon Ish, then return to Jerusalem for Shabbat.
His Educational Philosophy: See God in All of Creation
Rabbi Shach was shaped by the Brisker approach and believed one must not deviate from the teachings of the Rishonim (early authorities). He was known for opposing unnecessary “innovations” and believed that Torah should be studied in its original, authentic form.
He emphasized thorough mastery of Talmud and halacha,
He encouraged writing down kashiyot (difficult questions),
He insisted on exact, careful learning of the Gemara and Rishonim,
He believed Torah should be studied not for reward, but out of pure devotion.
A central theme of his faith was seeing God in every detail of creation — in a sweet fruit, in the chirping of a bird, and in all of nature.
Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevezh
Rabbi Shach’s leadership ability became well known. In 1952, Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, the “Ponevezher Rav,” visited the Kletzk Yeshiva and was so impressed that he invited Rabbi Shach to become a Rosh Yeshiva at Ponevezh Yeshiva.
He accepted and served as Rosh Yeshiva for fifty years, alongside Rabbi Shmuel Rozovsky and Rabbi Dovid Povarsky.
He also:
Became Rosh Yeshiva of Etz Chaim in Jerusalem.
Delivered biweekly shiurim at Grodna Yeshiva in Ashdod.
Final Years and Passing
On Friday, the 16th of Cheshvan, 5762 (November 2, 2001), Rabbi Shach returned his soul to its Maker. His exact age is uncertain; documents suggest he was between 104 and 108 years old.
His funeral drew approximately 400,000 people.
His Will
In his will he asked:
that his students learn even one Mishnah in his merit,
or think one thought of mussar for his soul,
and promised he would advocate for them in Heaven.
He requested few eulogies and minimal praise. He signed: “From me, who parts from you with love, Elazar Menachem Man Shach.”
Legacy
Rabbi Shach authored Avi Ezri, a multi-volume commentary on the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah. After his passing, many books and collections of his teachings were published by family and by students.
His greatest legacy is the generation of Torah leaders who followed his path, including:
Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv
Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman
These giants continued his teachings and leadership.
Rabbi Shach’s charisma, profound Torah knowledge, moral integrity, ironclad ideological principles, devotion to Torah learners, and his ability to guide and uplift others made him one of the most influential Torah leaders of the 20th century.
May we merit to follow in his light.
