IN TRIBUTE: Rav Matisyahu Salomon, zt”l, Mashgiach of Lakewood Yeshiva

YS Gold 

Last night, the Torah world and all of Klal Yisroel, plunged into mourning with the fast-spread news of the petirah of Rav Matisyahu Chaim Salomon, zt”l, the venerated mashgiach of Beis Medrash Govoah-Lakewood. He was niftar at the age of 86, following a lengthy illness. 

The mashgiach was a giant in mussar and in chinuch, and was a pillar of our generation with a unique ability to address its needs, able to inspire diverse crowds towards a life of greater adherence to Torah and mitzvot with passion and inspiration. 

He was born in Gateshead, England, to R’ Yaakov and Ettel Salomon, on Chanukah of the year 1937. He was educated in Yeshiva Etz Chaim in London. Although he learned under the great ba’al mussar, Rav Elya Lopian, for only a year, he nevertheless considered him his prime rebbi and influence. It was this influence of unique mussar and hashkofoh that he would transmit to generations of Yidden both in England and in America.  

In 1960, he married Miriam née Falk, a”h, and together they established beautiful Torah generations. 

After serving as the mashgiach in Gateshead Yeshiva for thirty-five years, he was invited to assume the place of the Mashgiach of BMG, Rav Nosson Wachtfogel, zt”l, who had served in that position for decades. 

During his years in America, he served as a voice of truth and inspiration not only to the bachurim of the yeshiva, but to all of American Jewry. He spoke unflinchingly and unapologetically about what was right…and his words penetrated the hearts of tens of thousands. 

The talmidim of the mashgiach have authored a number of seforim based on the mashgiach’s shmuessen and vaadim, under the titles Matnas Chaim on varying topics such as the Yomim Noraim, Moadim, Sha'arei T'shuva L'Rabeinu Yonah, Mesilas Yesharim, Shabbos & Rosh Chodesh, and Kinyanim. The book With Hearts Full of Love is based on a series of talks by Rav Salomon. His influence will continue to live on through these seforim. 

The mashgiach was a driving force behind the famed CitiField asifah for chizuk in matters of technology, alongside the Skulener Rebbe, zt”l, and remained engaged in this fight for the survival of our generation. 

With his petirah, the generation has lost a tremendous Torah voice who worried for each and every Yid in his generation.

The levayah is scheduled for Thursday at 12:00 p.m. at Bais Medrash Govoha, in Lakewood, NJ. Kevurah will be in Eretz Yisrael.

Yehi zichro baruch.