Upon hearing of the petira of Mir rosh yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel ZT”L, Maran HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv stated the loss is a great one for the entire generation, informing his gabbaim he plans to take part in the levaya, the weekly BaKehilla reports.

After returning home from the levaya, one of the members of the house asked Rav Elyashiv why as of late he travels only to levayas and not to any of the simchos among members of his descendants.

“Rav Nosson Tzvi was someone special. (Speaking in Yiddish) He emulated mesirus nefesh”, the Posek HaDor responded.

The report adds that a year ago, Rav Nosson Tzvi zt”l visited Rav Elyashiv seeking a letter that he could present to philanthropists as he continued trying to raise funds for the yeshiva. The posek hador agreed to write the letters on behalf of the yeshiva, asking who was going to be the messenger, the person taking the letters to people outside of Israel. Rav Nosson told the Rav he was going personally.

Rav Elyashiv stopped and took a hard look at the Mir rosh yeshiva and asked “You are traveling yourself, and this the doctors have approved?”

Rav Nosson Tzvi responded that yes, the doctors permits him. Rav Elyashiv expressed his astonishment regarding just how much mesirus nefesh the rosh yeshiva had, traveling abroad to raise funds despite his extremely difficult physical disabilities.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)