2008 Woodie Awards
Yeshiva Holds Shloshim For Rabbi Katz
Long-Time Rosh HaYeshiva Remembered
Josh Kra
Issue date: 3/29/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
On Thursday, March 10, Yeshiva held a memorial for Rabbi Michael Katz, a longtime Rosh HaYeshiva at Yeshiva. Before the memorial even started, the Beit Midrash was packed with people of all ages, including some of Rabbi Katz's foremost students. The aisles were filled with chairs and the walls lined with Yeshiva students eager to hear about the late scholar. The program commenced when Mrs. Katz entered the room.
The main theme of the event was the legacy of Rabbi Katz and the myriad of students he taught throughout his career. Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, Dean of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), noted in his introductory remarks that the main speaker, Rabbi Beryl Weisbraud, was one of the students that Rabbi Katz kept a strong connection with for many years. Both Rabbi Weisbraud and Rabbi Charlop mentioned how Rabbi Katz applied what he had learnt overseas to American society, touching every student that crossed his path. Rabbi Weisbraud, Mashgiach Ruchani of Ner Israel Rabbinical College, explained "[Rabbi Katz was] happy to learn with any talmid (student)," pointing out how "it was never below him to talk to a talmid." Rabbi Charlop echoed that Rabbi Katz "spoke to each on his level."
In addition to his vast knowledge of Torah and Talmud, Rabbi Katz was also well educated in other areas. Rabbi Charlop termed him a "legendary chess player" who entered Yeshiva with the intent of earning a PhD. However, Rabbi Charlop asserted, Rabbi Katz believed that immersion in Torah was to precede engagement in Maddah, just as Jacob blessed Ephraim, who represents Torah in traditional Jewish sources, before blessing Menasheh, who represents worldly pursuits.
Many students who were unaware of Rabbi Katz's legacy were enlightened by the event. "I didn't know much about Rabbi Katz before today, but the speakers really did a nice job informing me why we are all here gathering in his memory," said Ari Mayefsky (YC '06). Dovid Moradi (YC '06) added that he "really felt that Rabbi Charlop spoke well."
Many students were moved by the article handed out by Rabbi Charlop that Rabbi Katz had written for Enayim L'Torah, a Yeshiva publication. Claiming that Rabbi Katz "wrote his own hesped," Rabbi Charlop read the article aloud at the end of his speech, which discusses the legacy of a Rabbi. "A Rebbe's legacy...is assured only if his disciples follow his teachings faithfully," wrote Rabbi Katz, explaining his goal as a rabbi. For "the eternity of the Jewish people lives throughout the faith rooted in parents and rebbe and transmitted to children and students." As the overflowing Beit Midrash listened to the Kel Maleh made by Rabbi Reichman, Rosh HaYeshiva at RIETS, Rabbi Katz's own words echoed, providing his final commemoration of the ceremony.
The main theme of the event was the legacy of Rabbi Katz and the myriad of students he taught throughout his career. Rabbi Zevulun Charlop, Dean of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS), noted in his introductory remarks that the main speaker, Rabbi Beryl Weisbraud, was one of the students that Rabbi Katz kept a strong connection with for many years. Both Rabbi Weisbraud and Rabbi Charlop mentioned how Rabbi Katz applied what he had learnt overseas to American society, touching every student that crossed his path. Rabbi Weisbraud, Mashgiach Ruchani of Ner Israel Rabbinical College, explained "[Rabbi Katz was] happy to learn with any talmid (student)," pointing out how "it was never below him to talk to a talmid." Rabbi Charlop echoed that Rabbi Katz "spoke to each on his level."
In addition to his vast knowledge of Torah and Talmud, Rabbi Katz was also well educated in other areas. Rabbi Charlop termed him a "legendary chess player" who entered Yeshiva with the intent of earning a PhD. However, Rabbi Charlop asserted, Rabbi Katz believed that immersion in Torah was to precede engagement in Maddah, just as Jacob blessed Ephraim, who represents Torah in traditional Jewish sources, before blessing Menasheh, who represents worldly pursuits.
Many students who were unaware of Rabbi Katz's legacy were enlightened by the event. "I didn't know much about Rabbi Katz before today, but the speakers really did a nice job informing me why we are all here gathering in his memory," said Ari Mayefsky (YC '06). Dovid Moradi (YC '06) added that he "really felt that Rabbi Charlop spoke well."
Many students were moved by the article handed out by Rabbi Charlop that Rabbi Katz had written for Enayim L'Torah, a Yeshiva publication. Claiming that Rabbi Katz "wrote his own hesped," Rabbi Charlop read the article aloud at the end of his speech, which discusses the legacy of a Rabbi. "A Rebbe's legacy...is assured only if his disciples follow his teachings faithfully," wrote Rabbi Katz, explaining his goal as a rabbi. For "the eternity of the Jewish people lives throughout the faith rooted in parents and rebbe and transmitted to children and students." As the overflowing Beit Midrash listened to the Kel Maleh made by Rabbi Reichman, Rosh HaYeshiva at RIETS, Rabbi Katz's own words echoed, providing his final commemoration of the ceremony.