In Yerushalayim, on Motzoei Shabbos, crowds gathered to accompany the aron of the gaon and tzaddik Rav Shmuel Schwartz zt”l of Rechov Sorotzkin, a distinguished talmid of Hagaon Rav Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik zt”l of Brisk, who was niftar after enduring prolonged and bitter yissurim, which he accepted with complete emunah. He was 72 years old.
Rav Shmuel was born on the 26th of Cheshvan, 5713 (1952), to his father Rav Aharon Chaim Schwartz, a descendant of the Megaleh Amukos.
From his earliest childhood, he turned away from the vanities of this world, dedicating his entire being to avodas Hashem with all his heart and soul. He immersed himself in Torah day and night, learning with purity and holiness, and it became the joy of his life. He was renowned for his profound yiras Shomayim, meticulous care in halacha, and constant awareness of aveiros.
His tefillos were filled with heartfelt pleas, pouring out his soul like a child before his father. He greeted every person warmly, carried himself with humility, and never sought honor for himself.
Rav Shmuel rejoiced in every mitzvah as though discovering a priceless treasure anew each day. The sanctity of Shabbos was ever-present in his heart, and he was exceptionally careful and meticulous in the halachos of STaM (sifrei Torah, tefillin, and mezuzos).
Even through years of intense suffering, he accepted the din Shamayim with serenity and unshakable emunah.
Rav Shmuel was a devoted maggid shiur, delivering shiurim in both nigleh and nistar. As a faithful talmid of Rav Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik, he absorbed his rebbi’s teachings and passed them on, transmitting his pure yiras Shomayim and the rich traditions of his rabbeim to his own talmidim and descendants.
For many years, he served as a shaliach tzibbur during the Yamim Nora’im, his impassioned tefillos inspiring those present to awaken their hearts in teshuvah.
The levayah took place on Motzoei Shabbos beginning from his home on Rechov Sorotzkin in Yerushalayim. He was laid to rest on Har HaMenuchos.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}
