Green Road Synagogue (along with the Greater Cleveland community) joins the rest of world Jewry in mourning the passing of HaRav Aharon Lichtenstein zt’l one of the great Torah giants of our generation. Rav Lichtenstein was a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University and then, after his aliyah, he partnered with Rav Yehuda Amital zt’l to lead Yeshivat Har Etzion for decades. He was the living personification of the ideals of Religious Zionism and the embodiment of Torah U.Mada.
As the Rabbinical Council of America said in their statement noting his passing: “Rav Lichtenstein was unique. He was a gadol ba-Torah, blessed with a prodigious mind, encyclopedic knowledge of rabbinic texts, and sharp and penetrating analytic skills. His deep knowledge of the Western canon enabled him to understand and address the complex moral and philosophical challenges of the modern world and to give nuanced and sensitive guidance to modern, thinking Jews. He epitomized integrity, morality, kindness, and sensitivity for all. Rav Lichtenstein, of blessed memory, was the preeminent leader of the Religious Zionist, Modern Orthodox community who espoused the religious value of the State of Israel and of general culture. He had a profound impact on shaping contemporary Orthodoxy. His passing leaves us in a state of profound mourning, bereft of this special treasure.”
We share these sentiments and offer our condolences to his wife, children, and grandchildren.
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