The Man Who Brought Torah to America: Remembering Rabbi Aharon Kotler

A Giant of Torah, From Europe to America

More than 62 years have passed since the death of Rabbi Aharon Kotler, one of the most influential Torah leaders of the twentieth century. As the founder and head of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey, and president of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah in the United States, Rabbi Kotler shaped the landscape of Torah life in America and beyond.

Born in 1892 in Swisloch (then part of the Russian Empire), Rav Aharon was orphaned at a young age. He studied in Krinki, Minsk, and the famed Slabodka Yeshiva, where his brilliance quickly became evident. The Alter of Slabodka, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel, once remarked: “It is worth keeping the entire yeshiva open just to create the environment for ‘Ahar’le from Swisloch.’”

His genius was universally recognized. Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik declared after meeting him, “In forty years, I haven’t met a prodigy like him.” Later, he added: “He is one of those rare individuals upon whom the world stands.” Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk likewise predicted, “This young man will become great, like Rabbi Akiva Eiger in his generation.”

Building Torah in the Ashes of Exile

In 1914, Rav Aharon married the daughter of Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer, head of the Slutsk Yeshiva. When Rabbi Meltzer moved to the Land of Israel in 1925, Rav Aharon succeeded him as Rosh Yeshiva.

During World War II, Rav Aharon escaped with his yeshiva to Vilna and then to Yanova. When the yeshiva was forced to close in 1941, he managed to reach the United States. There, he began a monumental effort to rebuild Torah life in a country that, at the time, lacked a strong yeshiva presence.

In 1943, at the height of the Holocaust, he established Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood. From that modest beginning, the light of Torah spread across America. To this day, the Lakewood Yeshiva remains a beacon of Torah and spiritual depth. But Rabbi Kotler’s influence extended far beyond America. He worked tirelessly to support Torah institutions worldwide, including Chinuch Atzmai and Vaad HaYeshivos.

He was known for his towering intellect, total immersion in Torah study, and boundless love for learning. His prayers were filled with devotion. Others recalled his intense concentration and emotion during even the simplest morning blessings: “Train me in Your Torah… do not bring me to sin… subdue my inclination to serve You…” His face would flush with spiritual intensity, and those listening were deeply moved.

One observer once admitted, “I assumed his extraordinary mind couldn’t focus on simple prayer, that his thoughts must be wandering through Shas and Rambam. But what I saw shocked me: his prayers were otherworldly, filled with passion and awe, like a child pleading before his father.”

Focused on the Jewish Nation, Rooted in Simplicity

In 1954, while attending a wedding in Jerusalem with Rabbi Yechezkel Levenstein and Rabbi Shalom Shvadron, artillery shells suddenly began falling nearby. Panic broke out. Guests dove for cover, tables overturned, and the lights went out.

Rabbi Shvadron later recalled the moment: “Everyone was terrified, and someone lying next to me whispered, ‘What do we do now?’ I said, ‘We say Viduy (confession before death)…’ But then I looked over and saw Rabbi Aharon Kotler lying on the ground, crying out: ‘Ribono Shel Olam! Ich vil lernen dayn heilige Torah!’ [Master of the Universe! I just want to learn Your holy Torah!]”

His student, Rabbi Ezra Novick, who was by his side at that moment, added: “When the danger passed, I bent down to help him up. I heard him whisper, ‘Tatte… ich vil dir noch dienen…’ [Father, I want to keep serving You…] His whole soul cried out to continue his mission in this world.”

He didn’t only pray for himself. Every Shabbat, when he received the third aliyah to the Torah in the Lakewood beit midrash, he would personally recite a prayer for dozens of sick Jews whose names had been given to him during the week. One student recalled counting no fewer than 83 names, each recited from memory, each prayed for with heartfelt emotion.

Despite living in America, the land of abundance, Rav Aharon remained completely untouched by materialism. His home was sparse, its furniture old and mismatched. Chairs didn’t match, tables wobbled, and when guests came, extra chairs had to be borrowed from neighbors.

Choosing Humility Over Comfort

Once, a child from a neighboring apartment, the son of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Zaks, a son-in-law of the Chafetz Chaim, ran into Rabbi Kotler’s home and jumped onto his bed. The frame, held together by ropes and wooden planks, collapsed. The child panicked, but Rebbetzin Kotler reassured him: “Don’t worry, my child. This happens often when the Rosh Yeshiva lies down.”

When Rabbi Kotler moved to a new apartment, a devoted admirer furnished it with new, elegant furniture. Rabbi Kotler was distressed. He refused to move in until the new furniture was removed and the old items from his former home were brought in.

When asked why, he gave two explanations, both profound. “I cannot allow myself such luxury,” he said. “Not while fellow Jews are going hungry.” According to another version, he said: “I want my grandchildren to see with their own eyes what the path of Torah really looks like.”

Even when urged by his wife to buy a new hat to replace his tattered one, he did so only reluctantly. On the way to the store, he told a companion, “With the cost of this hat, we could support a fellow learning Torah…” He was only consoled when it was explained that the Rebbetzin’s request was for the sake of kavod haTorah (the honor of Torah), that it was wrong for a Torah giant to appear in public looking so worn.

A Life of Mission, Not Privilege

As Rosh Yeshiva of Lakewood, Rabbi Kotler served with deep responsibility but never allowed himself financial privilege. His salary was modest, and he refused to accept an increase. In fact, after marrying off his daughter, he asked for a pay cut, explaining that he now had fewer household expenses.

When his son, Rav Shneur, got married, the wedding was held in the yeshiva. Rabbi Kotler paid every expense himself and purchased new utensils, which he then donated to the yeshiva. He also gave the yeshiva administration extra funds, explaining that electricity had been heavily used during the wedding, and some property might have been damaged due to the crowd. “I don’t want to benefit from yeshiva funds in any way,” he said.

Rabbi Aharon Kotler’s legacy is not confined to memory. His impact on Jewish life in America and across the globe remains immeasurable. He built a new world of Torah with fierce dedication, unshakable integrity, and quiet, unwavering humility.