JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli leaders from all sectors of the public paid tribute Tuesday morning to Rabbi Gershon Edelstein on his passing at the age of 100.
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Prime Minister Netanyahu wrote that “The Torah World, and the Jewish nation, lost today a Talmid Chacham and peerless leader- the head of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, whose entire life was holiness. I grieve his passing and send my deepest condolences to his family.
“Rabbi Edelsein always remembered his childhood in Russia where he was forced to learn Torah clandestinely. In stark contrast in Israel he was able to lead the Lithuanian yeshiva world.
“He never took anything for granted. The responsibility of fashioning the spiritual stature of the people of Israel guided his daily life. Rabbi Edelstein was imbued with love for every person. His delicate attentiveness to the challenges of our generation led him to guide, counsel, direct, strengthen and encourage. His shiurim in Talmud and Halacha gave expression to his great diligence and will continue to inspire his disciples.
“I merited meeting the Rabbi a few months ago and the light from his wise eyes and his Jewish wisdom left an indelible mark on me. The importance of transmitting the Jewish heritage to the children of Israel resonated from his soul.”
President Yitzchak Herzog tweeted: “Together with all of the house of Israel in Israel and abroad I grieve the passing of Maran Rosh Hayeshiva Rabbi Gershon Edelstein Zts’l. Rabbi Edelstein was a spiritual leader of great stature whose greatness in Torah and fear of G-d influenced our generation and will impact future generations. His Jewish-Torah approach founde expression in the educational principles he espoused- which respected the people and the individual. This is a great loss to the yeshiva world and the entire Jewish nation. Condolences to his family, disciples and community. May his memory be blessed.
Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, the Rishon Letzion and Sephardic chief rabbi, mourned Rabbi Edelstein’s “leadership through humility and immersion in Torah” and added that he had consulted with him on numerous occasions and had received his blessing.
Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai said that Rabbi Edelstein was a “paragon and exemplar of Torah study and toil until his last day”, adding that this was a “great loss for everyone and for me personally. I visited his home and gained from his wisdom and advice. My condolences to his family and many disciples, as well as the public servants under his tutelage.”