[VIDEO AND PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Thousands arrived in Bnei Brak on motzei Shabbos to take part in the atzeres in memory of Rebitzen Batsheva Esther Kanievsky A”H. The rebitzen was niftara during chol hamoed Sukkos. The rebitzen was a daughter of Posek HaDor Maran Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita, and wife of Maran HaGaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita.

The event was held in the Lederman Shul on Rashbam Street, close to Rav Kanievsky’s home. Among those present was Maran HaGaon HaRav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita.

The atzeres began with Tehillim led by Rav Moshe Bauer Shlita, bal koreh in the shul. The first hesped was given by HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Zilberstein (a brother-in-law), who spoke of the amazing way in which the nifteres led her life, all aspects of her life, especially in taking care of her husband Maran R’ Kanievsky Shlita, permitting him to devote his entire being to addressing Am Yisrael’s needs and learning Torah. The rav added that the rebitzen never caused sorrow to anyone, and was never a source of anger to anyone, highlighting her sensitivity in these areas as she met with thousands and thousands of women.

Rav Zilberstein spoke of the paramount importance the rebitzen placed on maintaining sholom bayis in the homes of those who sought her advice, as well as the emphasis placed on hosting guests and taking in those in need, orphans and at times, people simply in a crisis situation.

HaGaon HaRav Shteinman Shlita addressed the tzibur, albeit briefly, citing Chazal that the petira of the righteous serves as atonement for the people. One of the ways this is accomplished is through the pain of the death of such a person, bringing us to atonement. The Rav stated that in this case, the rebitzen was so young, undoubtedly falling into this category, adding we daven to HaKadosh Baruch Hu that we should not have to know such suffering in the future.

The final hesped was delivered by the Maggid Meisharim HaRav HaGaon Rav Yitzchak Koldotzki Shlita, a son-in-law. The Rav spoke in a voice testifying to his pain, the realization of the loss, explaining the walls of the home of the rebitzen was just what Chazal point out, testimony to the character of a person, in this case, her mesirus nefesh towards the endless stream of women and girls who sought advice.

The Rav documented how the rebitzen would routinely greet women with her smile and genuine warmth, always radiating the holiness that was her inner being. He added that her tefilos, which began during the early morning predawn hours, were truly unique, both on behalf of the family and the tzibur, adding the rebitzen’s preparation for tefilos was no less amazing, and that she completed Sefer Tehillim daily.

The Rav concluded that in recent years, even though the rebitzen did not have the same strength as in her earlier years, she did not waver from her routine and what she perceived to be her daily responsibilities.

All Credits: S. & A. Jessel – Kuvien Images – www.kuvienimages.com

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)