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 arrived in Israel in the early 1940s, with the help of an entry permit obtained by his mentor and his father-in-law’s uncle, Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer.

4. His father, Rabbi Azriel, instilled in his children simple and 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 enabled him to study Torah.

5. His rise to prominence as a Torah and public leader began in the 1960s. For about three decades, he served as the supreme spiritual and public authority for the ultra-Orthodox Lithuanian community, elevating the importance of Daas Torah and the Torah perspective within their consciousness. He initiated the establishment of many yeshivas in Israel, served as their president and patron, consolidated the Lithuanian community, and 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 method of learning.

7. One of Rabbi Shach’s memorable teachings was the directive to study Torah not for reward. His faith emphasized contemplating creation in order to see Hashem. He taught that Hashem can be seen in every sweet fruit, every bird’s chirp, and indeed, in everything. He showed us a simple and genuine faith.

8. Rabbi Shach frequently visited the home of the Chazon Ish, and they engaged in both Torah discussions and personal conversations. The Chazon Ish would stand up upon Rabbi Shach’s entry and escort him out. In a Torah letter to Rabbi Shach, the Chazon Ish concluded: “Though I am not accustomed to engaging with scholars, for the sake of your esteemed honor, as the truth is very dear to you, I deliberated before them in order 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 remains uncertain, with documents suggesting he was between 104 and 108 years old. His funeral was attended by approximately 400,000 people who came 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 endure far longer than the convoluted beliefs of intellectuals and scholars.”

“I could speak 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 then to a larger yeshiva. Only afterward, if he so desires as an adult, may he become a merchant or pursue another path — and then he will know that he is a Jew.”

“A ‘thief’ is not someone who knows how to steal, but someone who actually steals; likewise, a ‘scholar’ is not someone who knows how to learn, but someone who does learn.”

“A yeshiva is not a university for Talmudic studies, and not everyone who is 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 complete repentance.”

“I ask all students who have benefited from me — whether in Torah, fear of Heaven, or character — to do me a kindness and learn for the elevation of my soul, even a single Mishnah or a thought of Mussar. This will be my reward, for I too dedicated myself to 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.”

Regarding the Yom Kippur War, he said: “If after the previous war, the Six-Day War, we saw the idolatrous belief in ‘my strength and the might of my hand’ develop, this war came and overturned that notion. The boastful idea that the IDF is unbeatable was shattered to pieces. Only prayer sustained us, and only Hashem saved us. This war undoubtedly came to dismantle the idolatry of ‘my strength and the might of my hand.’”