Monsey Memories: the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Moshe Green, zt”l

By: Yitzy Fried

Close to two years have passed since the petirah of Rav Moshe Green, zt”l—one of Monsey’s most important figures of all time, who shaped the community indelibly. 

He was born to a family of Russian immigrants to America who valiantly fought back against the winds of assimilation with every fiber of their being, and raised their son with a burning love for Torah—which he would impart to thousands of talmidim over his decades of harbotzas Torah. 

His connection to Monsey began long before his move to the shtetl… when he became part of the elite chaburah of Beis Medrash Elyon, which was comprised of the crème of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath, where he was a metzuyan. 

Rav Green was more recently known for the yeshiva that he founded in Monsey. Here he shaped the elite of chassidishe bachurim, known for their fusion Torah and yiras Shamayim. 

For many years Harav Green was the Rosh Yeshivah in the Stoliner Yeshiva, where he influenced countless talmidim. He later became the Rosh Yeshiva in New Square—and he remained one of the most respected figures in the chassidus for all of his life, earning special deference from the Skverer Rebbe, shlit”a. 

Then he returned to Monsey, where he founded Yeshiva d’Monsey. 

Here, he set forth his unique style of leading bachurim with a firm-but-loving hand, shaping and molding them to love Torah and only Torah—by his personal example.  In his work as Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva d’Monsey, he functioned as the yeshiva’s engine. He did every job that was necessary for the furtherance of the yeshiva and the bachurim. 

He was known for his tremendous hasmodoh, and for his power of chidush, innovating in Torah, and present even the most complex concepts in simple terms for the consumption of his talmidim. Until his last days—despite many health challenges—he pushed forward in his avodas haskodesh. 

In addition to his position as a prominent Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Green was one of Monsey’s most revered Rabbinic authorities. He was brilliant, in learning, as well as in his understanding of people, and he knew how to bring peace between people. He dedicated herculean efforts to Sholom Bayis, and the entire Monsey—across all segments of the community. 

He was also fearless; unafraid to say or do what was right. And this earned him reverence from so many.   

He was niftar in the spring of 2020, during the initial stages of the Coronavirus epidemic. 

But his legacy will continue to inspire his thousands of talmidim who will continue to carry around in their hearts the figure whose very essence was permeated with a burning love for Torah, and who was a central pillar of Monsey for sixty years.