Thousands this evening attended the Levaya of Hagaon Harav Chaim Epstein Zatzal, the Rosh Yeshiva of Zichron Melech.
The Levaya in Lakewood, which followed a Levaya in New York, began at approximately 5 PM at BMG. Hespedim went on for approximately three hours. (Audio will be posted when it becomes available).
The Aron was then walked down 7th Street for several blocks on its way to the Bais Olam, where the Rosh Yeshivah was buried near his Rebbetzin.
The Rosh Yeshivah, a Talmid of Hagaon Rav Aharon Kotler Zatzal, left over thousands of Talmidim worldwide.
Shivah will be taking place at 1608 46th Street, Brooklyn, NY. Shachris is at 7:45, Mincha 1:45 and Maariv at 7:00.
Yehi Zichro Baruch.
[TLS]
Great job all agencies coordinating this massive Levaya.
Sheriffs dept, LPD, Hatzolah, Chaveirim, MIsaskim, LCSW, LFA, and whoever else was omitted.
I can’t sleep just thinking about the Rosh Hayeshiva not being here anymore. What am I going to do when I need to make a decision of any importance? Who will give that warm Rebbe-to-Talmid smile that gives me chizuk that I need so much? I just can’t imagine how will I cope tomorrow without the security of my warm & loving Rebbe just a phone call or a short drive away?
I agree with Askan
The Rosh Yeshiva zt”l was an Odom Godol and his loss is immeasurable.Levayas, lo aleinu, require very complicated logistical coordination, and not always are there enough people in a position to do it. However, in light of the very cold weather, arrangements should have been made for more interior accommodations for the thousands of melavim. My son says he was outside for the duration of the hespedim in Lakewood and his feet were so frozen he thought his toes would break off! The thought that so many bochurim could get sick from being exposed for so long bothers me.
To Senora M every Bais Medrash was full to capacity your son could have been indoors the whole time All logistics were very well coordinated thanks to all agencies
L’chvod Señora M –
There was ample room indoors in the various Batei Midrashim for all those that wanted. Like myself, your son probably chose to stand outside in the cold (and yes, it was very cold) for some reason or another (in my case I wanted more of a feeling of being at the levaya as oppose to in a satellite location).
They even announced numerous times that thwee is plenty of room inside
Amazing Kovod hames due to Chaveirim’s coordination, another thing is the point that out that the 1000s of ppl were all part of the cooperation and therefore Kovod hames etc. was done on the highest level.
People may not remember that he was first Rosh Yeshiva in Adelphia, even then he was considered one of the greatest of Maran Rav Aron’s talmidim…. but his personal serious caring for talmidim was outstanding!