Rav Chaim Shmuel Zev Rotkin zt”l

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Chaim Shmuel Zev Rotkin zt”l, rosh yeshivah of Yeshivahs Zichron Yosef Aryeh. He was 61.

Rav Rotkin was a son of Rav Aryeh Leib Rotkin zt”l, one of the close talmidim of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l, learning under Rav Aharon in Kletz.

Rav Shmuel Zev himself learned at Beth Medrash Govoha for many years, maintaining a close kesher with the yeshiva for the rest of his life, living just one block from the yeshiva, on 6^th Street, in the heart of Lakewood.

He gained renown as a talmid chochom who possessed boundless ahavas haTorah. His yegiah and havanah were unique, demonstrating the primacy of limud haTorah in his life. Rav Shmuel Zev would share his chiddushim in the many shiurim he delivered, both in his own yeshiva and other mekomos haTorah, sharing his geshmak and cheishek for Torah with young and old alike.

“He was full of chiyus,” said one of the bnei Torah who learned with Rav Shmuel Zev. “He was full of life, and that life was kulo Torah and fully devoted to avodas Hashem.”

Over the last few years, Rav Shmuel Zev dealt with challenging illness. Despite it all, and throughout all the twists and turns of the difficult nisayon, Rav Shmuel Zev never wavered in his commitment to limud haTorah and harbotzas haTorah. He exhibited superhuman strength in doing so, serving as an inspiration to all who encountered him.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Soroh Rotkin, and their wonderful family.

The levayah will take place today at 11:30 a.m. at the Bendheim Bais Medrash of Beth Medrash Govoha, located at 617 6^th Street in Lakewood, NJ. On Motzoei Shabbos, the aron will be flown to Eretz Yisroel for kevurah there.

Yehi zichro boruch.

Photos (c) Flash 87 Images

{Matzav.com}