As reported by Matzav.com last month, following the passing of gedolei hador in recent years and the addition of new members of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah, there’s been a new development in the titles used for the gedolim. For the first time, the Israeli papers beganusing the title “Rabbon Shel Kol Bnei Hagolah,” or “Rashkebehag,” for the Ponovezh rosh yeshiva, Rav Gershon Edelstein, nosi of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah.
The title Rabbon Shel Kol Bnei Hagolah had previously been used for Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach and the Steipler Gain. Rav Shach had instructed that “Maran” be used for Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, and Rav Dovid Povarsky. Later, Rav Elyashiv was also referred to as Rashkebahag.
Until now, Rav Gershon Edelstein was referred to as “Rabbeinu Maran Rosh HaYeshiva,” and the other members of the council Moetzes as “Hagaon Hagadol.”
In the following video taken yesterday, Rav Edelstein was introduced by the mayor of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Avorohm Rubenstein, as Rashkebahag, but Rav Edelstein can be seen protesting with his hand, indicating for the mayor not to refer to him by that appellation.
The incident took place at Rav Edelstein’s home during the formal appointment of the new rov of the Ayelet Hashachar neighborhood of Bnei Brak.
WATCH:
Rav Gershon is an ish emes and a tzaddik.