Mendel Zaks

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Rabbi
Menachem Mendel Yosef Zaks
Yahrtzeit
19 Tevet

Menachem Mendel Yosef Zaks (

Raduń Yeshiva and being the son-in-law to Yisrael Meir Kagan
, the Chofetz Chaim.

Early life

Zaks was born in

Slabodka, before it moved to Kaminetz). He was forced to leave Radun during World War I and then studied under Reuven Dov Dessler. He also studied under Meir Simcha of Dvinsk
whose Meshech Chochmah he had helped print.

After the war, Zaks returned to Radun where he studied with his future father-in-law. In 1922, he married Faiga Chaya, Kagan's youngest daughter (who was 64 at the time of her birth).[1] By doing so, he joined Kagan as leader of the yeshiva and in all other communal affairs. Zaks was immediately recognized for his teaching and leadership abilities. His vast knowledge of Talmudic Law, coupled with a photographic memory and unending hours spent with his students attracted even more students to the Radin Yeshiva at that time.[2]

In 1925, Zaks incorporated the Yeshiva in the United States in an effort to raise money there for the operation of the Yeshiva and its charities.

Teaching career

Upon the death of

Vilna, and eventually Zaks re-established the yeshiva in 1943 at New York City. In 1941[1][2] he moved to New York. In 1946, he accepted the position of rosh yeshiva and bochen (examiner) at Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Legend has it that Zaks edited the final version of the Mishnah Berurah in his office (currently occupied by Dr. Seth Taylor) in the MTA building.[3] Following his retirement, he died in Jerusalem
in 1974.

Zaks had an extraordinary memory, a pure mind, and was an expert in the Talmud and its commentaries.[4]

His sons

Kiryat Sefer and Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshivas Knesses Hagedolah)[1] died in 1989 and 2015,[5] respectively. His daughter, Rivka Wiesenfeld, died in 2008.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c Kobre, Eytan (Jun 2, 2014). "Living the Legend". Mishpacha (512): 44–57. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved Jun 10, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "The Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim Of Radin".
  3. ^ "A Farewell From Rabbi Dr. Michael Hecht ('57) | Yeshiva University High School for Boys". blogs.yu.edu. Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  4. ^ "Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary". Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2009.
  5. ^ הגאון רבי הלל זקס זצ"ל ראש ישיבת כנסת הגדולה. Kikar HaShabbat (in Hebrew). Jan 13, 2015. Retrieved Jan 14, 2015.
  6. ^ "Levaya Of Rebbitzen Rivka Wiesenfeld A"H". Yeshiva World News. Jan 8, 2008. Retrieved Jun 10, 2014.

External links

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