The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

Today is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yosef Chaim Shneur Zalman Kotler ZT’L  Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, who passed away in 1982.

It is also the Yahrtzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who passed away in 1994.

Both these individuals left an indelible and everlasting impact on the Jewish world.

Both dedicated the majority of their lives to teaching Torah and building American (and world)) Jewry.

Both of them cultivated legions of followers who are, as we speak, impacting and influencing Jews all over the world.

Both of them built empires.

Yet, this was hardly to be expected.

At the time, each one assumed the helm of their respective Yeshiva/Chassidus (Rav Kotler in 1962 and the Lubavitcher Rebbe 1951); their followers numbered in the hundreds.

However,  by their passing, they had impacted on the lives of tens of thousands of Jews, and each contributed greatly to the renewed observance of the Mitzvohs and the study of the Torah.

They both left legions of Jews who continued their legacy.

Each one lived completely for the Jewish community.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe, who left this world childless, certainly considered the wider Jewish Community his children.

Rav Kotler also, gave so much of his life to his students and potential students.

It is related that even before the burial of his beloved son Meir, who passed away at a young age and left a wife and child, Rav Kotler instructed those involved in helping to save Iranian Jewry from the clutches of the Iranian Islamic Revolution to discuss with him any potential issue which came up.

The needs of the Jewish community superseded his personal mourning.

Both gave of themselves to ensure the Jewish people's spiritual survival, and neither was concerned with their material possessions or monetary gains.

Both of them loved Jews, and both of them loved Yiddishkeit!

How similar their lives were.

How fascinating it is that their Yahrtzeits coincide.

Maybe Hashem was trying to teach us something?