Rabbi Shach: A Legacy of Leadership and Learning

Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach was born on the 19th of Tevet in the Hebrew year 5658 (January 13, 1898), in the town of Wabolniki, located in northern Lithuania. Elazar was the fourth child of Azriel Shach, a grain merchant, and Bat-Sheva Levitin, daughter of Rabbi Israel Meir Halevi Levitin. From a young age, he exhibited remarkable learning abilities, being considered a prodigy, teaching Torah by the age of 17.

          

Hearing about Elazar's mentors, who later became known as Rabbi Shach, it's clear why he achieved such heights. Rabbi Shach had the privilege of studying under Rabbi Israel Meir HaCohen, known as the "Chofetz Chaim," whom he regarded as the epitome of Jewish perfection. He also learned from Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz - the "Chazon Ish," and Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel - the "Saba of Slabodka." Additionally, he was close to Mashgiach Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein, to whom he once expressed greater gratitude than to his own mother for sending him to study Torah, as Rabbi Levenstein introduced him to the world of Mussar.

 

During World War I, the Germans captured the city of Kovno in Lithuania, where Rabbi Shach studied. Consequently, he moved to the Slutsk yeshiva, headed by Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer. Later, Rabbi Meltzer relocated to Kletsk, taking his best students with him, among them Rabbi Shach, who began teaching himself.

 

His close association with Rabbi Meltzer also led to his marriage to Guttel, Rabbi Meltzer's niece. The couple had two daughters and a son. Their eldest daughter passed away at around 14 from pneumonia in Lithuania. Their second daughter, Devorah, married Rabbi Meir Tzvi Bergman shlit"a. Their only son, Dr. Ephraim Shach z"l, passed away last year at the age of 81. After his marriage, Rabbi Shach continued studying and teaching, including as a rosh mesivta at the Novardok yeshiva.

 

In the late 1930s, with communists persecuting religious Jews, Rabbi Shach wandered until the early 1940s when he made aliyah to Israel, with divine assistance and an entry permit obtained by Rabbi Meltzer.

 

Upon arriving in Israel, he grew close to Rabbi Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik of Brisk, who greatly valued him. Rabbi Soloveitchik's views influenced Rabbi Shach, who learned the Haredi-Lithuanian perspectives valuing Torah study and deep exploration of sacred texts.

 

Despite being a new immigrant in Israel, Rabbi Shach wasted no time; he studied and taught as he did in the Diaspora. Initially, he was a rosh mesivta at the Yishuv HaChadash Yeshiva in Tel Aviv and lived there. But after consulting with the "Chazon Ish," he moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, serving as head of the "Beit Yosef" Novardok Yeshiva. Later, he was a rosh mesivta at the Lomza Yeshiva in Petach Tikva and eventually at the South-Kletzk Yeshiva in Rechovot. Throughout his roles, his family resided in Jerusalem, and every weekend, he traveled to Bnei Brak to meet with the "Chazon Ish" before returning to Jerusalem for Shabbat.

 

With such esteemed mentors, Rabbi Shach was influenced by the Brisk approach. He believed the Jewish people should stay true to the words of the early sages. He was known for his skepticism towards new ideas, expressing a preference for the perspectives of early scholars. He aimed to pass on the original style of Torah study - explaining both early and later commentaries and openly shared his sometimes rigid views. Yet, he was open to critique of his own insights, promoting intense study of the Talmud and Halachic texts, insisting on deep understanding and proficiency for all decisions. He emphasized detailed Gemara learning and encouraged documenting study questions.

 

Rabbi Shach's commitment to devotionally studying Torah without seeking reward was well noted. His faith-based outlook encouraged seeing Hashem in creation, teaching to notice Hashem in every sweet fruit, every bird's chirp, and indeed, in everything - pure and simple faith.

 

Through hard work, Rabbi Shach crafted his unique persona and became a head of yeshiva with significant leadership and dedication. In 1951, Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman of Ponevezh visited the Kletzk yeshiva, impressed by Rabbi Shach, and invited him to become a Rosh Yeshiva at the Ponevezh Yeshiva, alongside Rabbis Shmuel Rozovsky and Dovid Povarsky. Rabbi Shach accepted the offer, serving as Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevezh for fifty years.

 

Following Rabbi Mordechai David Levin's passing in 1967, Rabbi Shach was appointed to head the "Etz Chaim" Yeshiva, where he delivered weekly lessons parallel to his tenure at Ponevezh. He also provided bi-weekly classes at the Grodno Yeshiva in Ashdod, founded by Rabbi Kahaneman

 

As a spiritual leader, Rabbi Shach saw the importance of being involved in Israeli politics. During the 1960s and 70s, he was a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, establishing his leadership of the Lithuanian public.

 

In 1984, Rabbi Shach instructed Sephardim to form an independent party under Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's leadership, with his involvement in its decisions. Thus, the Shas party was established. Over time, the relationship between Rabbi Shach and Shas grew tense. Due to these political tensions, Rabbi Shach and Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky founded the Haredi daily newspaper "Yated Ne'eman," a platform for "Degel HaTorah's" stance, which exists to this day, allowing their views a public stage.

 

In his later years, Rabbi Shach's health declined, leading him to step away from politics and not comment on national events. However, an exception arose when the High Court considered drafting yeshiva students into the IDF. This deeply concerned him, and he declared that, even at all costs, yeshiva students should not leave their studies for the army.

 

On Friday, the 16th of Cheshvan 5762 (November 2, 2001), Rabbi Shach passed away. His exact age remains unknown, with documents suggesting he was between 104 and 108. His funeral attracted around 400,000 attendees escorting him on his final journey.

 

In his will, Rabbi Shach asked his students to learn even a single Mishnah for his soul or to think "one thought of Mussar" for him, stating that, with Hashem's help, he would advocate for them. He requested simplicity in his funeral, avoiding excessive eulogies and praises, concluding his will with: "From me, who parts from you with love, Elazar Menachem Man Shach."

 

         

 

 

Beyond his writings, which stand before us, Rabbi Shach left behind followers, towering scholars of the highest order, who became leaders of the generation: Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman shlit"a. They walk the path charted by Rabbi Shach zt"l, keeping his teachings alive moment by moment.

 

Undoubtedly, his charisma, profound Torah knowledge, worldly conduct, ideological stance, tireless advocacy for Torah scholars' rights and duties, his battles on matters of belief and doctrine, love for people, and morality toward Hashem nurtured the revered and unique figure that drew thousands and became a beacon in our dark generation.

 

May we merit to walk in his light.