Please be Mispallel for Hagon Rav Yitzchok Dov Koppelman, the Zekan Roshei HaYeshivos, (the world’s senior Rosh HaYeshiva) who has been hospitalized. Rav Koppelman is the Rosh Yeshiva of Lucerne Yeshiva in Switzerland, and is 105 years old. Please be Mispallel for Yitzchok Dov ben Feigah.
Rav Koppelman is literally a living testament to a vanished world. It is reliably said that he was born in May 1905. His longevity and lucidity are not merely personal blessings; we, too, can now share in them over the next days.
He is universally known today as the zekan Roshei HaYeshivos, .
Rav Koppelman is a leading disciple of his great mentor, Rabbi Shimon Shkop (1860–1939), the Rosh Yeshiva of Sha’ar HaTorah in Grodno, having learnt under him for 18 years.
Rav Koppelman has been the Rosh Yeshiva of Lucerne since 1963. In the intervening 48 years the Yeshiva has earned itself an enviable international reputation: indeed, one of the indications of its success is that it is a microcosm of the world – pupils come not only from Switzerland, Western Europe and the United Kingdom, but also from the United States of America, Canada, Eretz Yisroel and even Australia. As well as having a geographical mix, the student body of the Yeshiva comprises Chasidim, Litvaks and Yekkes, all learning in harmony.
Despite Rabbi Koppelman’s advanced years, his title as Rosh Yeshiva is no mere sinecure; he is to be found each day in the Beis Medrash, giving regular shiurim and being completely accessible to his pupils. The affinity does not cease when boys leave the Yeshiva and many former students living abroad arrange their travels so as to spend a Shabbos or a Yomtov in Lucerne .
In recent years, the Rosh Yeshiva started to travel abroad somewhat more; usually to the USA or Eretz Yisroel, Australia and other locations.
In today’s somewhat polarised Orthodox world, Rabbi Koppelman is that rarity who has good relations with everyone. He eschews politics and is only interested in disseminating Torah. Wherever he goes, people rush to meet him and hear his wisdom.
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3 Responses
May H”B bless him with good health and may he live to be Zocher to see the coming of Moshiach.
May Hashem send a complete refuah. This is a great great man
No words can describe the relationship that the Talmidim -both past and present – have with the Rosh Yeshiva! His personal interest in their lives; his advice to them; his lengthy ‘shmusen’ when he speaks to them; they cannot get enough of him.
He was just here for Pesach in NY, and as weak as he was, he had the time for all who sought him out.
Books can be written about the tales that his Talmidim tell of their times in Lucerne.
The Rosh Yeshiva has one of the most amazing attributes: he commands both awe and love from all those who know him.
My sons, who are ex-Talmidim don’t make a major move without consulting with him. They make a point of traveling to Lucerne for Yom Kippur, just to be with this Zokon who has so affected their lives.
In this zechus, may he be ‘maarich yomim’.
Klal Yisroel needs such a treasure!!