Hagaon Rabbi Zalman Nehemia Goldberg, Dayan, Rabbi, Editor of Talmudic Encyclopedia, Passes Away At 89

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Torah world was plunged into mourning with the passing of one of the greatest Dayanim and Torah personalities in this generation, Rabbi Zalman Nehemia Goldberg at the age of 89.

Rabbi Zalman Nehemia was distinguished in so many facets of Torah. As a teacher and mentor, he taught in Kollelim for Dayanim and prepared an entire generation of Dayanim to serve in positions around Israel. He gave an astonishing number of shiurim every week, travelling the country to places like Beit El, Kerem B’Yavneh, Or Etzion and Sderot, as well as teaching in the Beis Midrash of Machon Lev and in the Harry Fishel Dayanus Program, where he taught for over fifty years. Many of his shiurim have been transcribed by his disciples and printed in books. He also taught in numerous Smicha programs and gave Smicha himself to hundreds of rabbis.

As a chief editor of the Talmudic Encyclopedia, Rabbi Zalman Nehemia demonstrated his vast, encyclopedic knowledge of the entire Torah and contributed to many of the entries in the encyclopedia with meticulous accuracy. He also seemingly managed to read nearly every Torah journal published and his comments could be found in many of them.

As a Dayan sitting in the Jerusalem Rabbinical Court, Rabbi Zalman Nehemia dealt with most intricate and complex questions which arose, including technologically abstruse issues and matters of economics and science. The entire Torah appeared to be at his fingertips and he would cite from memory numerous sources in order to solve the issues at hand.

Despite his illustrious lineage as the son-in-law of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and the distinguished positions he held, the most indelible quality he had was his self-effacing nature. He was the epitome of humility, always approachable, never showing a trace of smugness or superiority. Many times I was stunned to see him riding on public buses, and despite his age and stature he declined to take lifts from others or use taxis to reach his destination.

When I invited him to serve as Sandak at the Bris of one of my sons, it was a bitter cold winter day and snow had begun falling in Jerusalem. Nevertheless Rav Zalman Nehemia showed up and stayed for part of the Bris before taking one of the last buses back to his house. When I asked for his approbation on a book I had written, I received the book back within a week or two with a warm approbation and comments showing that he had found the time to read the book. I was one of hundreds who received such approbations, as Rav Zalman Nehemia wanted to learn everyone’s Torah and nobody’s Chiddushim were below his dignity to study.

Rav Zalman Nehemia was also color-blind: Not literally, but he demonstrated respect for Talmidei Chachamim from every group, irrespective of their political stance. Despite his prominent positions, he always succeeded in steering clear of politics and maintained close ties with diverse Torah communities around Israel, from Karnei Shomron to Sadigura.

Rabbi Zalman Nehemia was born in Minsk, Byelorussia in 1931 and immigrated to the land of Israel at the age of 5. Prior to his immigration he had passed through Dvinsk, where he heard the Rogatchover Gaon learning. He recalled the tune of the Rogatchover’s study for the rest of his life.

Blessed with an astonishing memory, he studied in Hevron and Ponovezh and gained the admiration of the Ponovezher Rav and other great personalities. After his marriage, he served as the head of the Harry Fishel Kollel and also as head of the Daas Moshe Kollel of Sadigura. Later he became a Dayan in the Rabbinical Court and taught in numerous yeshivas. In his last years served as the chief editor of the Talmudic Encyclopedia.

In keeping with his humble nature, Rav Zalman Nehemia passed away on Rosh Chodesh when Hespedim are not said, but thousands of disciples worldwide feel most keenly the loss of one of the true Torah giants of our time. May his memory be blessed.