By COLlive reporter
Thousands attended the funeral of Rabbi Yaakov Katz, Rosh Yeshiva of the Central Tomchei Tmimim in Kfar Chabad, who passed away at the age of 83 on Sunday.
Bochurim and residents of Kfar Chabad gathered around his bed that was placed in the center of the learning hall, where he taught for 47 years.
“In the name of the Rosh Yeshivas, the maggidei shiurim and the talmidim, we ask forgiveness if he was dishonored, not treated properly,” said his colleague Rabbi Eliyahu Landa.
“We will ask forgiveness in everyone’s name,” he continued. “And you, go in peace and stand for your fate until the end of days and may Hashem help that ‘death be swallowed forever’ speedily.”
Born in Poland, Rabbi Katz survived the horrors of the Second World War before being instructed by the Frierdiker Rebbe to travel to Israel, with wishes for “success in his learning.”
He joined the central Chabad Yeshiva in Israel from when it was founded in 5723, serving as a maggid shiur, mashgiach and later as a Rosh Yeshiva. He was also the Rov of the old Chabad shul on Avraham Street in Bnei Brak, where he lived.
Among his students he was known for his clear and sharp mind, love and selflessness to the Rebbe, and uncompromising stance on safeguarding the character, order and times of the celebrated Yeshiva.
His passing is being mourned by the many alumni of the Yeshiva, many of them serving in key positions in Jewish communities around Israel and the world as rabbis and educators.
“He was the Rosh Yeshiva of all Rosh Yeshivas,” one person commented online, noting that his was not his direct student. “Almost everyone learned by him at one point or another, or learned by someone who learned by him.”
Some pointed out Rabbi Katz’s empathy and care to students in addition to his scholarship. “He once called me during a winter day. I thought I did something wrong, but he told me: I saw you today walking outside without a sweater. It’s true you are a young strong man, but it is cold and you need a sweater.”
VIDEO:
His son Shmulik Katz sitting shiva on Israel
I thank him for his resolute response about a bochur resulting in a family shidduch. Yehi zicro boruch.
Reb Yankel always with toothpick in mouth “guarding” the door while leaning on his shtender. Very clear in explaining a sugia, chaval al deavdin.