For over seventy years, the Ponovezh rosh yeshiva, Maran Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l, served as ba’al toke’a (shofar blower) in Ponovezh on Rosh Hashanah.
Rav Gershon relied on Rav Tzvi Greinemann, son of Rav Meir Greinemann, regarding the kashrus of the shofars due to his expertise in the matter. In recent years, Rav Gershon used only shofars belonging to Rav Tzvi, which were on loan to Rav Gershon at his residence on Rechov Raavad in Bnei Brak.
Less than two hours after his petirah, on the morning of the levayah, Rav Tzvi was contacted by Rav Gershon’s family, who inquired about his whereabouts and informed him that they were sending someone immediately to bring him the shofars. The family members explained that there was a tzavaah from the rosh yeshiva that all borrowed items in his possession must be returned to their owners before the kevurah. Rav Tzvi thus received the shofars.
A few years ago, Rav Gershon’s shofar became damaged and he turned to Rav Greinemann expressing his need for a new shofar. Rav Greinemann provided him with two excellent shofars. The agreement between them was that the shofars would remain in the possession of Rav Greinemann and Rav Gershon had permission to blow them. Years passed. Yesterday, as mentioned, a messenger arrived and stated that Rav Gershon requested that before his kevurah, the shofars be returned.
{Matzav.com Israel}
