A Tribute to Rav Chaim Malinowitz ZT”L

BS”D

Rav Malinowitz’s sudden passing reminds me of November 22, 1963, I wrote about in my last Blog, when suddenly TV stations stopped their regular programming to inform viewers of a – Special News Bulletin.

Only this time it was not in America but in Israel, and not about a President, but rather that Rav Malinowitz ZT”L has suddenly passed away. And since many of us here don’t own a TV, it came by word of mouth from one of our family members.

And so I also have interrupted my Blogging schedule to pay tribute to this great Rav.

We were all in shock to hear the news, because no one appears to have expected the Rav to pass away so suddenly. But everything is in Hashem’s hands, and we are not to be the judge of why the Rav’s passing took place at that moment.

I never knew Rav Malinowitz personally, but would see him many times on Shabbat because he had an apartment in my son Dani’s apartment building, very close to Beit Tefillah Yonah Avroham Shul, where he served as Rav. He always had a smile on his face, walking to or from Shul flanked many times by the family members or other guests who accompanied him.

I Am Forever Grateful To Rav Malinowitz And Art Scroll For Their Creation Of The English Gemora Series

The very fact that today  I can pick up a Gemora at any time and have a good idea of what it is talking about, contrasts sharply with what was available to learn from when I first became Shomer Shabbat many years ago.  There were no  English study materials to even match the Art Scroll Series that exists today.

And for that alone, I feel fortunate to receive the benefit of Rav Malinowitz’s knowledge, in addition to other scholars,  that have contributed to this Gemora Series.

I have been to a few morning Kollels and we many times have referred to the Art Scroll English Gemora when learning a complex Mishna.

A Strong Message That Rav Malinowitz Wanted To Emphasize – Strive To Continue To Learn

I visited Beit Tefillah Yonah Avroham Shul on Shabbat and listened to the Rabbi who spoke to the congregation to bring home an important point that Rabbi Malinowitz wanted to emphasize. And that point was that we should all strive to continue to learn more. He would even encourage the wives to push their husbands to attend more Shiurim.

And that is a point which we all must pay attention to. It was Rav Malinowitz who was a major contributor to the Art Scroll Gemora Series and he made a major impact on all of us who were not fortunate to be introduced to Gemora at a very young age. His efforts made it easier for all of us to learn more.

That is something easily seen here in Israel, when you go to Shul on Shabbat afternoon to see fathers learning with their young sons, the same books I never knew existed when I was their age. Or to see two young boys learning together, who are probably not more than 10 years old going over a piece of Gemorah they had just learned with their Rebbe in school. It is really a sight to see.

An investment in a Gemora that Rabbi Malinowitz was involved with is something that will be a valuable asset to your learning, and can be passed down from generation to generation. Because, unlike those textbooks we used in University, the Gemora does not change so the words of Rav Malinowitz will most likely continue to be valid until the coming of Moshiach.

May The Malinowitz Family Be Comforted Amongst The Mourners Of Tzion And Yerushalayim.