Rav Shmuel Mintzer zt”l

Rav Shmuel Mintzer zt”l

Thousands in Yerushalayim mourned on Sunday as Rav Shmuel Mintzer zt”l, a longtime R”M at Yeshivas Maayan HaTalmud and a respected figure in the olam haTorah, was laid to rest after his passing at the age of 75. The levayah took place Sunday afternoon, departing from Beis Yisrael Shul on Even HaEzel Street in the Ezras Torah neighborhood and proceeding to Har HaMenuchos, where he was buried. Rav Mintzer was born in Yerushalayim on the 12th of Teves, 5711, to his father, Rav Yitzchak Zev Mintzer zt”l, a distinguished talmid of Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach zt”l in Yeshivas Lomza. Rav Yitzchak Zev was also close to the Brisker Rav zt”l and was widely known for the seforim business he operated from his home in Yerushalayim. His mother, Mrs. Chana Devorah a”h, served for many decades as the legendary principal of the New Seminary in Yerushalayim. As a child, he studied at Talmud Torah Shiloh in Yerushalayim. In his youth, he learned at Yeshivas Ponevezh L’Tzeirim and later at Yeshivas Ponevezh, where he became one of the distinguished talmidim of Rav Shach. Upon reaching marriageable age, he married the daughter of Rav Rosengarten zt”l, and together they built a home founded upon Torah and yiras Shamayim. Rav Shmuel became one of the earliest and most prominent residents of the Ezras Torah neighborhood, where he devoted decades to teaching Torah and inspiring generations of talmidim at Yeshivas Maayan HaTalmud. Those who knew him described him as a man of unwavering integrity and refinement. He lived a life defined by emes, humility, and total dedication to Torah. He devoted himself tirelessly to both learning and teaching, faithfully transmitting the traditions he received from his own rabbeim. Over the course of many years, he instilled in countless talmidim a deep love and enthusiasm for Torah. Despite serious illness during the past year, Rav Mintzer rarely left his home except to deliver his regular shiurim. Family members recounted that just last week, when medical personnel arrived to transport him to the hospital, he asked first to be taken to the yeshivah so that he could deliver his scheduled shiur. The family had also endured personal tragedy in recent years. Slightly more than a year ago, his granddaughter, Mrs. Hadassah Adler a”h, the daughter of his son-in-law, Rav Yehonasan Abramovitz, one of the prominent avreichim of Kollel Ponevezh, passed away. Several years earlier, one of his sons was seriously injured after drowning in a spring. Following a lengthy recovery, he ultimately regained his health and recovered fully, b’chasdei Shamayim. Rav Mintzer leaves behind a distinguished family of sons, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and descendants who continue in his path of Torah and yiras Shamayim. Among his brothers are Rav Chaim Dovid Mintzer, one of the roshei yeshivah of Yeshivas Knesses Yitzchak in Chadeira and author of Chayei Dovid, who is scheduled to celebrate the wedding of his eldest grandson this coming Thursday; Rav Mattisyahu Mintzer; Rav Yaakov Meir Mintzer; and Rav Zelig Mintzer. His passing leaves a profound void in the lives of his family, talmidim, and the broader olam haTorah. Yehi zichro boruch. {Matzav.com}