Today is the 1st Yahrzeit for Rav Lichtenstein zt”l.
This afternoon/ evening there are shiurim and speakers in his memory. Click on here for details.
Even though I learnt in the Gush, I cannot claim to be a Talmid of Rav Lichtenstein, although I am a talmid of his Talmidim.
One thing I would like to add is that Rav Lichtenstein showed us the potential power of educators and leaders. His influence and that of his talmidim is immense both in the Rabbinic/ Jewish Educational World and in the more general fields of medicine, business etc. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks once said, ‘Leaders produce followers, but great leaders produce leaders’. In that way, Rav Lichtenstein was indeed a great leader.
Rav Aharon was one of the Great Torah Leaders of our generations and part of the rebirth of Torah She’baal Peh after the Shoah. Yesterday afternoon we started learning Pirkei Avot – The first mishna discusses the chain of tradition and Rav Aharon was part of that transmission of the Mesorah which started at Har Sinai.
A final memory I have of Rav Aharon is his modest and unassuming behaviour. I remember countless times standing in front of Rav Aharon in the cues for lunch and although I always asked if he would like to go in front of me, he refused.
Benjy Singer.
I have put together this listing of pieces written by talmidim:
Rav Alex Israel:
Approaching Rav Aharon was never easy. When I first went to speak to him as an eighteen-year-old, I was so nervous that I would sit on my hands while talking to him because they were shaking so intensely. And later in life, as I got to know and love him, the awe of Rav Lichtenstein never faded. What was it?
Yeshivat Har Etzion: Listing of Hespedim for Rav Lichtenstein from Rabbaim. Click on here.
Benji Levy:
‘I am going to have to end our conversation early because Rav Aharon Lichtenstein’s funeral may be immediate and I want to make sure I get there… Benji? Are you there?’ Today, one year ago, this is how I found out that my teacher, Rav Aharon, had passed away.
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