Today, the 7th of Taamuz, marks the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Gedaliah Schorr ZT”L.

Rav Gedaliah Schorr joined Yeshiva Torah Vodaath when the Shorr family moved to Williamsburg. Rav Gedaliah quickly became the heart and soul of the Bais Medrash, where his brilliant “kushyos” generated excitement with regard to the sugyos the Yeshiva was learning. When Rav Schorr was twenty one years old, Rav Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz ZT”L appointed him to a position in the Mesivta, despite his unmarried status. Rav Schorr’s talmidim, many were only a few years his junior, were drawn to him, and accorded him great respect. 

When World War II broke out Europe’s Jewry was on the brink of extinction, but in America little was being done to save it. Rav Schorr worked closely with Elimelech “Mike” Tress, and the others involved in the hatzoloh efforts, saving thousands of lives. Scores of people still remember the Shabbos when Rav Schorr received a report about exterminations and the need for immediate rescue efforts. Rav Schorr spoke to the minyan until every single person there was weeping and was determined to give the rescue mission top priority. On a sub-freezing Shabbos in January, he walked from Williamsburg to Boro Park to make an appeal. Rav Schorr arrived numb and frozen, but the freezing in the ghettos was far worse; and so he walked. He sold his one personal treasure, a Vilna Shas he had purchased in Europe, and contributed the money to the rescue effort.

Upon the passing of Reb Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz in 1948, Rav Schorr was appointed Menahel Ruchni of Torah Vodaath, a post he maintained for 31 years. After the passing of Horav Reuven Grozovsky ZT”L in 1958, Rav Schorr also became Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Medrash Elyon, the post-graduate division of Torah Vodaath.​

Yehi Zichro Boruch 🕯️