It is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of Rav Nachum Ragoznitzky zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Meoros HaTorah in Kiryat Ye’arim–Telz Stone. He was 90 years old.
The levayah was held today Erev Shabbos Chol Hamoed Sukkos, at his home at 12 Rechov Nechemiah in Yerushalayim, proceeding to Har Hamenuchos for kevurah.
Rav Nachum was born in Yerushalayim on the 26th of Teves, 5695 (1935), to his father Rav Moshe zt”l and his mother Mrs. Mirel a”h. His grandfather, Rav Nachum Ragoznitzky zt”l, served as the administrator of Yeshivas Etz Chaim in Yerushalayim.
As a young man, Rav Nachum learned in Yeshivas Slabodka in Bnei Brak, where he formed a close bond with the Chazon Ish zt”l. Despite his youth, the Chazon Ish cherished him deeply and scheduled a regular weekly session to learn with him, each time discussing sugyos in depth. Rav Nachum would often seek the Chazon Ish’s advice on personal and halachic matters, maintaining a close relationship.
During those formative years, he also developed a connection with the Nadvorna chassidus. The Dvar Chaim of Nadvorna zt”l, through whose brachah Rav Nachum later merited to have a son, became a guiding influence. He later forged a strong friendship with the Be’er Yaakov of Nadvorna zt”l, the Dvar Chaim’s son, a connection that endured even after the latter became rebbe of Nadvorna. In his will, the Admor instructed that Rav Nachum Ragoznitzky be among those to circle his bier during the levayah.
Following his marriage to his wife, Rebbetzin Bina a”h, daughter of Rav Ephraim Lerman zt”l, Rav Nachum settled in Yerushalayim. He learned in the kollel adjacent to Yeshivas Shem Olam–Amshinov and also delivered shiurim there. It was during this period that he became very close to Rav Shmuel Auerbach zt”l, who was likewise serving as a maggid shiur in the same yeshiva. Their friendship was deep and enduring.
In 1983, Rav Nachum founded Yeshivas Meoros HaTorah in Kiryat Ye’arim–Telz Stone. The institution was established to guide and elevate graduates of national-religious high schools who sought to grow in Torah learning and yiras Shamayim. The yeshiva was named in memory of his grandfather, the noted mekubal Rav Meir Schwartz zt”l of Podhajce.
Over the decades, Rav Nachum inspired thousands of talmidim, teaching Torah and instilling a deep sense of yirah. His influence extended beyond Meoros HaTorah to other institutions, including the yeshivos of Belz, Amshinov, Or Sameach, and Kahal Adas Yerushalayim. Among his distinguished talmidim are the rebbe of Amshinov and the rebbe of Pinsk-Karlin, both of whom considered themselves his devoted disciples.
Rav Nachum was a towering gaon in Torah and a paradigm of derech eretz, a true remnant of a bygone generation who lived with humility and concealment, avoiding honor and acclaim throughout his life.
He leaves behind a family of children and grandchildren who continue his legacy of Torah and yiras Shamayim.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}
