Remembering Rabbi Elazar Shach: Wisdom and Legacy

1. Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach (born January 1, 1899 - November 2, 2001) was the head of the Ponevezh Yeshiva for fifty years and president of the Council of Torah Sages of Agudath Israel and later of Degel HaTorah. He was regarded as one of the great leaders of the generation, and many in the ultra-Orthodox Lithuanian community followed his guidance. 

2. Born in the town of Vabolninkas, Rabbi Shach was educated in Lithuanian yeshivas before and during World War I. At the age of 23, he became a teacher for the first time and taught Torah for approximately seventy-five years in yeshivas in Lithuania and Israel. 

3. In the late 1930s, when religious Jews were persecuted by the communists, Rabbi Shach moved frequently until he came to Israel in the early 1940s, with the help of an entry permit obtained by his mentor and father-in-law's uncle, Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer.

4. His father, Rabbi Azriel, instilled in his children simple, pure reverence for Heaven. His mother, Bat Sheva, instilled in him a tremendous love for Torah. He named his book, "Avi Ezri," in tribute to his father Azriel. In the introduction, he praised his unique parents, noting that his mother's tears and prayers were what allowed him to study Torah.

5. His rise to prominence as a Torah and public leader began in the 1960s. For about three decades, he was the ultimate spiritual and public authority for the ultra-Orthodox Lithuanian community, elevating the importance of "Daas Torah" and the Torah perspective in their consciousness. He initiated the establishment of many yeshivas in Israel, served as their president and patron, and consolidated the Lithuanian community. He founded the Degel HaTorah party, the Yated Ne'eman newspaper, and the "She'erit Yisrael" kashrut organization.

6. Upon arriving in Israel, he grew close to Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik of Brisk, who held him in high esteem. From Rabbi Soloveitchik, Rabbi Shach adopted his worldview and learning method.

7. One of Rabbi Shach's memorable teachings was the directive to study Torah not for reward. His faith emphasized contemplating creation to see Hashem. He taught to see Hashem in every sweet fruit, every bird's chirp, and indeed, in everything—a simple, true faith.

8. Rabbi Shach frequently visited the house of the Chazon Ish, and they had both Torah and personal discussions. The Chazon Ish stood up for him upon entry and escorted him out. In a Torah letter to Rabbi Shach, the Chazon Ish concluded: "Though I'm not accustomed to engage with scholars, for the sake of your esteemed honor, as the truth is very dear to you, I deliberated before them to magnify Torah."

9. On Friday, the 16th of Cheshvan, 5762, the generation was left orphaned when Rabbi Shach returned his pure soul to its Creator. His exact age was uncertain, with documents suggesting he was between 104 to 108 years old. His funeral drew around 400,000 attendees to pay their final respects.

10. Famous Quotes from Rabbi Shach

* "Just as one cannot see without eyes and cannot hear without ears, so too one cannot live a life of Torah without studying ethics."

* "The simple faith of sincere Jews will last much longer than the convoluted beliefs of the intellectuals and scholars."

* "I could talk about this day and night, but as my strength wanes, I ask you to carefully heed my words. If you wish to preserve Israel and build the Land of Israel, send your children to 'cheder,' then to a small yeshiva and larger yeshiva, and only afterward, if he wants as an adult, he may become a merchant or whatever else, and then he'll know he is a Jew."

* "A 'thief' is not someone who knows how to steal but someone who actually steals; likewise, a 'scholar' isn't someone who knows how to learn but someone who does learn."

* "A yeshiva is not a university for Talmudic studies, and not everyone suited to teach holy studies can be a Rosh Yeshiva."

* "Our role is 'to act'; whether or not we succeed in our goal is not up to us."

* "My prayer is that I merit to stand before Hashem after a complete repentance."

* "I request from all those students who've benefitted from me, whether in Torah or fear of Hashem or in character, to do me a kindness and learn for the elevation of my soul, even a single Mishnah or a thought of Mussar, and this will be my reward, for I also dedicated myself for your success in learning, and if I can advocate on your behalf, I will do so without a vow... from me, departing from you with love, Elazar Menachem Shach."

* On the Yom Kippur War, he said: "If after the previous war (Six-Day War) we saw the idolatrous faith in 'my strength and the might of my hand' evolve, this war came and overturned this notion. The boastful idea that the IDF is unbeatable shattered to pieces... Only the prayers supported us, and only Hashem saved us... This war undoubtedly came to dismantle the idolatry of 'my strength and the might of my hand.'"

Further Readings on Rabbi Shach: