It is with deep pain and regret that YWN informs you of the petirah of Harav Mattisyahu Salomon zt”l, a giant of mussar, chinuch, and Torah, whose words and wisdom inspired tens of thousands throughout his life.
Rav Mattisyahu zt”l was born in Gateshead, England to R’ Yaakov and Ettel and went to yeshivah k’tana in London. He learned for 16 years in yeshiva and Kollel with Rabbi Chaim Kaufman, who went on to found the Gateshead Yeshiva L’Zeirim. He also studied under Rav Elyah Lopian zt”l, the former rosh yeshiva of Etz Chaim Yeshiva for less than a year. Nevertheless, Rav Mattisyahu zt”l considered Reb Elya to be his main rebbe.
Rav Mattisyahu was initially named mashgiach at Gateshead Yeshiva under Rav Moshe Schwab zt”l before becoming senior mashgiach. He served thousands of talmidim in the yeshiva for more than 30 years in the position.
In 1998, following the petirah of BMG mashgiach Rav Nosson Wachtfogel zt”l, Rav Mattisyahu was asked to succeed him in the position. He accepted it, and moved along with his family to Lakewood, settling in a home on the block of Beth Medrash Govoha.
In the quarter century since he became mashgiach in BMG, Rav Mattisyahu inspired an untold number of people. A famed master of chinuch and hashkafa, his advice and guidance was sought by tens of thousands across the globe. Numerous seforim based on his shmuessen have also been published, with topics ranging from Yamim Noraim and Moadim to Hashkafa, Mussar, and much more.
The levaya is scheduled to take place at 12 pm Wednesday at BMG, with tens of thousands expected to be in attendance. Kevurah will take place in Eretz Yisroel.
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10 Responses
One mistake:
R’ Matisyahu officially became Mashgiach in Lakewood while R’ Nosson was still alive, as R’ Nosson wanted someone else to come (he had thoughts of going to EY).
מי יתן תמורתו. יהי זכרו ברוך
From Sefer Zera Shimshon Parshas vayechi: It is written, “ki mipnay hara’ah ne’esaf hatzaddik– because of the impending calamity the tzaddik is gathered. Meaning, that before Hashem brings a calamity, a tzaddik passes away. We find in Chazal two seemingly contradictory explanations why this is.
One explanation is that when there is a decree against Klal Yisroel Hashem picks and takes away a tzaddik from this world in place of other people. According to this the pasuk means that because of an impending calamity, Hashem gathered a tzaddik in order to save the others from that calamity.
The second explanation is that tzaddikim act as shields and protection for Klal Yisroel. Therefore, Hashem gathers the tzaddik, meaning he has him die, in order that the people will not be saved! According to this explanation the pasuk means, because of an impending calamity, Hashem gathered a tzaddik in order to bring a calamity on others.
In other words, according to the first explanation the tzaddik dies in order to save others from disaster and according to the second explanation the tzaddik dies in order to be able to bring disaster on the people. How can this be?
The answer is that the consequence of the tzaddik passing away is dependent on the people’s reaction to it. If they mourn and eulogize him properly his death protects them from danger midah k’negged midah; just like they were kind to the deceased tzaddik by mourning and eulogizing him so too Hashem is kind with them and annuls the difficult decree.
However, if they do not mourn and eulogize him properly not only does the death not protect them from danger but on the contrary it adds to their punishment!
Rav Mattisyahu zt”l came to serve as Mashgiach alongside Rav Nosson zt”l and even learned with him b’chavrusa
ברוך דיין האמת A terrible loss for klal Yisroel and the world. When will be the kevurah in Erets Yisroel? Where? PLEASE YWN LET US KNOW!
Boruch Dayan Haemet
Baruch Dayan haEmes.
He was a Ro’eh Ne’eman for the Lakewood Yeshiva community.
an Israeli Yid
Klal Yisroel is in deep mourning following this heavy blow and loss for our entire nation.
וכל בית ישראל יבכו את השריפה אשר שרף ה’. ברוך דיין האמת
Borech Dayan Haemes.
A real tragedy.
He was a Gadol who made a real tangible impact that the most simple ehrliche Yidden can feel until today!
He is the translation of the word Nitzchius.
A real shock and tragedy.
He was actually born in London, not Gateshead.