Below appears a tribute to HaBochur Nochum Schonfeld Z”l written by Rabbi Avrohom Meisels, provided courtesy of Telshe Yeshiva.
Click here to download an article about Nochum Z”l that appears in this last week’s Yated Ne’eman.
Click here to download the hespedim that were said at the levaya
Kara alai moed lishbor bachurai.
Chazal point out that the passing of “bachurai Yisrael” is singled out and considered equal to the churban ha’mikdash itself.
To see the life of a young energetic bochur who yearns for greatness and is poised for unlimited growth, suddenly cut short, is indeed exceptionally painful.
This is certainly our feeling today as we reflect upon the loss of our dear and beloved chaver, Nochum a”h.
The beauty of a tzibur, and particularly a yeshiva is a result of the many wonderful talents and traits of the individuals, which blend together in harmony. We mourn the loss of Nochum both as individuals who lost a treasured friend, and we mourn the loss as a tzibur which now finds itself incomplete.
Within a yeshiva there is much diversity. Perhaps the element most vital to the success of a yeshiva is that of consistency. In all such settings, whether a community minyan, kolel, yeshiva or classroom, there must be the consistent group who can always be counted on, to always be right there, on time and ready, creating a nucleus around which the group can thrive as a whole.
One aspect which distinguished Nochum, and highlighted everything he was involved in, was his relentless consistency. Everything he did, was done right, always, every time- indeed, a rosh yeshiva’s dream
His tefilah was a shining example of true avodas ha’lev. Every word recited meticulously and never a minute late. His distinctive “shuckle”, seriousness and patience reflected a person mature beyond his years, with a real understanding of “mah chovaso ba’olamo”.
Weekly shnai’im mikrah ve’echad targum often falls by the wayside amidst the intense schedule of sidrei ha’yeshiva. But not Nochum. Each morning following davening, Nochum, who enjoyed leining as well, carefully reviewed the parsha. Nochum was so sweet, so pure and so genuine, and we all knew it.
It is well known that to gain entrance into the Vilna Gaon’s yeshiva, one would be asked to recite the same Gemara repeatedly over and over again. Only if the individual displayed increased excitement and enthusiasm each additional time would he be accepted. True ahavas ha’Torah is not a result of mental stimulus, it is rather the love and joy of d’var Hashem itself.
Tefilah in which we engage daily as well as shnai’im mikrah, are not necessarily stimulating, in fact we are overly familiar with their routine.
Nochum’s approach to both reflected real kabalas ol malchus shamai’im and ahavas Hashem, a complete submission to ritzon shamai’im, with no ulterior motive. Nochum was a zariz in every sense of the word. Outwardly, he moved swiftly and inside, he was thought out and calculated.
On Nochum, we can say, “lihagid shvacho shelo shina”.
Learning of mishnayos was a central part of Nochum’s kinyan ha”Torah. He loved mishnayos, he knew mishnayos, and we all recall Nochum standing by his seat after ma’ariv swaying over a large volume of the zecher chanoch mishnayos.
Dovid ha’Melech writes in Tehilim, “zemiros hayu li chukecha”, in the most difficult times the Torah was my song, my enjoyment. While Dovid was punished for comparing the Torah to a mere song, we nevertheless see the love Dovid ha’melech displayed towards Torah.
For Nochum, aside from actively participating in the sidrei ha’yeshiva, delving into the depths of words of the rishonim with his unique kochos and sharp intellect, Nochum’s song was his mishnayos.
These were his “zemiros” a concept of “Toras’cha sha’as’shuai”, his toy, the ultimate pleasure and enjoyment. Nochum treasured his seforim collection and gracefully inscribed his name in the front cover in exclusive calligraphy style. This, too, expressed what was closest to his heart, and how much his learning meant to him.
As a person, Nochum was beloved by his Rebbeim, chavrusos and friends. His kind demeanor, his humility, made him well liked and appreciated. Nochum was intelligent, insightful and a pleasure to converse with about practically any subject. While Nochum stood firm on matters of principle, he remained soft and sweet when dealing with friends.
Nochum never uttered a hurtful word.
A glance of the Mishna in Avos which enumerates the 48 kinyanim of Torah, might give one an idea of Nochum’s persona.
Nochum’s seat is now empty. His presence will be sorely missed.
Nochum will be missed by his Rebbeim who loved him and appreciated his cheshek, to understand, to learn and to grow.
Nochum will be missed by his dear chaveirim, the b’nei yeshiva, his chavrusos and roommates whose sincere love for Nochum was openly displayed during the short period of his illness.
Nochum will be missed by his younger chavrusos, who admired their older chavrusa, “Nochum”.
Nochum will be missed by the Shabbos tables of Rabbeim and kolel yungerleit alike who enjoyed Nochum’s company as a guest.
We will all think of Nochum Purim time, when creativity is of essence.
Nochum will be missed in Camp Kol Torah, where his many talents were given a chance to shine.
And of course, Nochum will be missed by his loving family who devoted their lives to him especially during this trying period of time.
Lastly, Nochum will be missed on the mishnayos charts which hang in yeshiva periodically. Friday, the day following the levaya, as I exited the yeshiva building, I noticed a mishnayos chart, requesting that people take a mesechta li’iluy nishmas Nochum ben Yechiel Tzvi Shalom a”h. As is often the case, the more difficult mesechtos are last to go. Looking up and down the empty lines of Kadshim and Taharos, I could not help but think, where is Nochum?
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