Manchester, England – YWN regrets to inform you of the Petira on the first day of Shavuos of one of the last remaining Talmidim of the Chofetz Chaim ZATZAL, Rav Yerachmiel Cofnas ZATZAL, He was approximately 96-years-old.
He served as a Rov in Birmingham,and later in Liverpool. After his retirement, he settled in Manchester.
The Levaya was held on Motzei Yom Tov.
Boruch Dayan Emmes…
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The niftar is Reb Yechiel Cofnas zt”l- the father of Reb M.l Cofnass (rav of liverpool). levaya going out of MH Shul (manchester) Sunday 11am. please do ammend annoucement.
The Chofetz Chaim was niftar almost 77 years ago at age 91. If R’ Cofnas was 96 as assumed, he was 19 at the time.
How much of a ‘Talmid’ could he have been?
Was the Chofetz Chaim giving shiurim to 15 year olds when he was in his mid 80’s?
His name was Yerachmiel not Mordechai Leib. The levaye was postponed to Friday morning.
First correction, his name was Yerachmiel.
Secondly, the Levaya was actually postponed until this morning (Fri, Isru Chag), 11am local time.
Rabbi Cofnas was a charming person with a very pleasant man. After retiring as Rov of Birmingham (England), he moved to Manchester where he was able to spend his retirement learning with Chavrusos, and attend the Daf Yomi shiur of Rav Simcha Bamberger, where he will be sorely missed. He was invited to many school events such as chumash parties, to show the children a talmid of the Chofetz Chaim. Just to here him say a Kaddish with his soft meaningful voice would inspire anyone listening. Even a couple of years ago, he would stand for the whole Chazoras HaShas on Yomim Noraim. His health deteriorated in recent months, and he had a short time in hospital before returning to the Beenstock old-age home where he was assigned 24-hour helpers in rota. Yehi zichrono boruch.
To number 2 ” Daas Torah”- a) there were plenty of talmidim of gedolim that you have never heard of b) there were plenty of talmidim of gedolim that were very young in shiur c) even IF your statement was true, why would you say it…
Hagoen Harav Kofnas Zatzal got smiche from Reb’ Simche Selig Riger the famous dayen of Brisk, he learned by the Chofetz Chaim in Radin and by Reb’ Shimen Shkop in Grodne, he was one of the only ones who actually got smiche from Reb’ Shimen Shkop, he had smiche on mileh from Reb’ Chaim Ozer Grodzinski (he ones told me that he was learning at the same time as Rav Koppelmann of Lucerne and Reb’ Shmuel Rosovsky and remembers them sitting and shteiging in the beis medresh of the Grodne yeshive) – Basically he was a Gaon in being an Onev! Klall yisroel doesnt know what they lost! May he be a meiliz yoisher to all of us
Baruch Dayan Emes, and daastorah, why is it so hard to believe that the Chofetz Chaim gave shiurim to 15 year olds in his mid 80’s?
somebody correct me if I am wrong. I don’t believe the Chofetz Chaim actually gave shiurim in the Yeshiva. If someone is a talmid of the Chofetz Chaim he learned in Radin and learned from the Chofetz Chaim by observing him and hearing shmuessen
#2: In an interview published in Vol 2 of “Meir Eiynei Yisrael” he told over that he learned in Radin for 3 years. He regularly used to go specially to the Ch.Ch’s house to participate in the Tfillos held there and as such heard a lot of shmuzen from him. (He also remembered visiting the Ch.Ch. as a 7-year old boy together with his father and how he was impressed, despite his young age, of the way how the tzaddik gave mussar to a visitor). He also used to go there every shabbos after a quick Seudoh shlishis, to listen to his words as the shabbbos would depart. He also remembered the Ch.Ch being carried into yeshiva at least on two occasions, one of them before tekias shofar on Rosh Hashono, to give divre chizuk.
He left Radin to learn by Reb Shimon Shkop zl in Grodno and only returned once more to participate in the levayeh of the Ch.Ch.
boruch dayin h’emes.
what a syata dishmiya i have that i just had a fast look on ywn n c this that my yeddid the rov of Liverpool, rabbi cofnas’s father past away
well I didn’t have the zechus to no his father zt”l but it’s my zechus to no rabbi cofnas my he b well n have arechas yomim, eb’frat on his rabbonis in Liverpool were he has done so much over the years n the special children rabbi n rebbetzen cofnas have bl”h
Well there hopefully there will be a mincha throw this coming winter in Liverpool
Please my i ask achanu benay yisrael, you r in the Liverpool district for anything, visit, business, or what it may be please go n make it your business to davin in the shull n help support the minyanim, they r there for you
if you need the minyan times or any info; please contact the shull direct or if we; the mincha guide can b of any help
020 3151 3151
or
07870248263
the accepted age of the chofetz chaim passing was 95. what is meant by smicha for milah?
the accepted age of the chofetz chaim passing was 95. what is meant by smicha for milah? i believe he was harav moishe shwabs mechutan