BDE: Rav Aaron Schechter, zt”l, Rosh Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin

YS Gold 

We regret to inform you of the petirah of Rav Aaron Schechter, talmid muvhak and successor of Rav Yitzchok Hutner, zt”l. He was 95 years of age and was unwell recently. 

The Rosh Yeshiva was born in Brownsville in 1928, and enrolled in Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin which was then located there. There, he became especially close with the Rosh Yeshiva, who encouraged him in his path of Torah, and to write his sefer Avodas Aaron on Rambam. He also appointed him as his successor at the helm of the yeshiva, a position that he held with tremendous distinction for close to forty-five years. 

He also assumed his place on the Mo’etzes Gedolei Hatorah of Agudas Yisroel of America, a position in which he served as one of the important leaders of American Torah Jewry.  

It is impossible to describe what the Rosh Yeshiva meant to the talmidim of the yeshiva throughout the decades. He was deeply beloved by each of them, and the Rosh Yeshiva imparted from his deep well of Torah to generations of Talmidim. His shiurim were brilliant, as well as his mussar shmuessen and vaadim. 

He would also lead events, such as Purim, Simchas Torah, and other yomim tovim, with tremendous joy which contagiously took over the entire yeshiva community.  A gifted orator, the Rosh Yeshiva would inspire audiences of all stripes with his incredible Torah oratory. 

The Rosh Yeshiva established a beautiful dor of talmidei chachomim and bnei Torah, and his son-in-law, Rav Shlomo Halioua, serves as Rosh Yeshiva in the yeshiva. 

The loss is incredible for the entire Chaim Berlin yeshiva community, as well as for American Torah Jewry who have lost a fierce Torah leader. 

The levaya will take place 12:45pm this afternoon at Yeshiva Chaim Berlin at 1585 Coney Island Ave. Kevurah will be on Long Island.