It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Yishai Halevi Mandel zt”l, one of the great talmidei chachomim of Bnei Brak, a fixture of the famed Lederman Shul. He was 94.
Born in Hungary on the 20th of Kislev, near the town of Kerestir, Rav Yishai later received permission to immigrate to Israel. He learned in Kfar Saba, where got to know Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, and then learned at Lomza in Petach Tikva, where he learned with Rav Chaim Kanievsky and others.
He married his wife, Mina, a daughter of Rav Shneur Zalman Tzivion, and he began to be marbitz Torah at Yeshiva Tiferes Tzion.
During bein hazemanim, he would travel to Tzefas to learn in seclusion.
For years, he served as the gabbai of the Lederman Shul for decades, and was supremely devoted to the bais haknesses.
All his life he suffered from ill health, and despite his many torments, he asked to be taken to davening three times a day. To go, he did not want to wake the aide who slept with him in his house, so he would take his wheelchair alone and went out to daven. His devotion was astonishing.
Since Rav Yishai does not leave behind any children, all are asked to learn as a zechus for Rav Yishai ben Rav Yosef Shaul.
The levayah was held at the Lederman Shul at 19 Rechov Rashbam in Bnei Brak, followed by kevurahat the Ponovezher Bais Hachaim, where he was buried near Rav Gedaliah Nadel.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}
