Reprinted with permission from Yated Ne’eman

Over half a century ago, the presence of Torah life in Tzfas was so meager that it was difficult to pull together a minyan on an ordinary Shabbos. It was commented that there was more Jewish life in the cemeteries of Tzfas than in the city itself.

A dramatic change took place when gedoleiha’dor dispatched Rav Shmuel Avigdor Feivelson to the city to awaken and inspire the populace. He founded an initial kollel, gathering young men who were exceptionally accomplished in limudTorah and yirasShamayim.

The gedoleiha’dor also spearheaded a kiruvrechokim project, spreading Torah to neighboring settlements as well as performing wondrous acts of chesed. During the Yom Kippur War in 5734/1973, they assisted the army in dispatching tanks to protect nearby areas, giving encouragement and strength to the people there, as well as providing Torah classes for the youth during the evenings.

Talmideichachamim from the area tell younger members, “We got our start in spiritual substantiation under the guidance and inspiration of Rav Feivelson. We owe our spiritual lives to him.” Many of them are currently heads of kollelim or educational institutions for children or ba’aleiteshuvah, among other prominent positions.

It is now a year since the revered Rav Feivelson, who assumed this pivotal role in promoting Torah study in the holy city of Tzfas, suffered a severe stroke and became bedridden, losing function of most of his body.

Sensing the klal’s need for Rav Feivelson’s unwavering dedication, HashemYisbarach, in His mercy and kindness, blessed him with an extraordinary recovery. Overcoming all sorts of difficulties, Rav Feivelson managed to recover his strength and assumed all responsibilities as in the past.

Despite his miraculous recuperation, there is still an area that calls for attention: “If there is no flour, there is no Torah.” Despite his senior age (over 80), Rav Feivelson turns to generous people outside of EretzYisrael with the slogan, “Just as they increased, so did they blossom forth” (Sh’mos), requesting their aid in furthering his efforts to help the klal.

A Brief Biography

Rav Shumel Feivelson was born in Radin in 5692 (1931) when the Chofetz Chaim was still alive. His father, the son-in-law of Rav Naftali Trop zt’l, was serving as a rosh yeshiva at that time.

He was orphaned from his father when he was only a year-and-a-half old. In 1941, he and other refugees exiled themselves, with other yeshiva families, to the depths of Russia, and spent several years in Siberia. He and his brothers (his mother passed away when they were in exile) joined Rav Stein, the Telsher roshyeshiva, and fled to Samarkand, a city in southeastern Russia. There he learned Torah with older bachurim until he finally went to EretzYisrael in 5707 (1947). He learned in Ponevezh and then in Chevron, gaining Torah knowledge and guidance from the Chazon Ish, zt’l, and Rav Shmuel Rozovsky, zt’l.

He continued learning in Kollel Chazon Ish until he was dispatched to Tzfas in 5728 (1968) to found a kollel.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Oliner cordially invite the community to attend a reception in honor of HaRav Shmuel Avigdor Feivelson, Rosh HaYeshiva “Nachlas Naftali” Tzfas, on Monday evening, June 8, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. at their home, 195 Lawrence Avenue in Lawrence. Guest Speaker: Rabbi Shaya Cohen, rosh yeshiva of Zichron Aryeh in Bayswater. 

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