HaRav Aharon Shakovitzky, zt"l, one of Yeshivas
Slabodka-Chevron leading alumni, passed away at the age of 93
on 5 Av in Bnei Brak.
Aharon Shakovitzky was born in 5671 (1911) to HaRav Binyomin
Shakovitzky, the Maggid of Minsk. At the age of 12 he
traveled alone to Eretz Yisroel to study under HaRav
Leib Chasman at Yeshivas Chevron, then located in the holy
city of Chevron.
He survived the Chevron Massacre of 5689 (1929) through
chasdei Shomayim. The young Aharon was among those
guarding the door of the house where the rabbonim and many of
the talmidim were hiding. When the doors were forced
open everyone ran into the dining room and piled on top of
one another, scrambling to get to the bottom of the pile, but
Aharon lay on top to avoid being saved at someone else's
expense and even spread his arms over others to protect them.
Indeed the rioters knives stabbed his body and he suffered
potentially fatal injuries.
Later he lived in the home of HaRav Yechezkel Sarna
zt"l, who raised Aharon like his own son. After
marrying he and his wife (nee Feldman) lived in Tel Aviv and
later in Bnei Brak. He studied with hasmodoh and
yegi'oh his entire life, never wanting to take on the
burden of the rabbinate. He always showed great respect for
anyone who had the appearance of a yeshiva bochur or
avreich, sometimes brushing dirt off the clothes of
bnei Torah he had never met previously.
He became ill recently but his mind remained lucid until he
returned his soul to his Maker last Wednesday, 5 Av, at
Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak. Before the
levaya set out from Beis Knesses Divrei Shir, HaRav
Boruch Dov Povarsky, one of the roshei yeshiva of Yeshivas
Ponovezh, who spoke about the deceased's great reputation at
Yeshivas Slobodka in Chevron. "R' Aharon, you opened the door
to the world of Torah for me at Yeshivas Chevron and this
door opening has remained with me throughout my life," he
said, charged with emotion. "And whoever opens a door for
another, that person owes him his life."
HaRav Aryeh Dunner said despite R' Aharon's discreet ways he
sanctified the Name of Heaven in all of his actions and all
who laid eyes on him were filled with awe at his dignified
carriage, sensing the Spirit of Hashem was driving his every
movement.
A large crowd was waiting at Shamgar in Jerusalem, including
many from Yeshivas Chevron who recalled the honor the
rabbonim and roshei yeshiva showed HaRav Shakovitzky when he
would arrive for the tefillos of the Yomim Noraim.
HaRav Avrohom Broide delivered a hesped describing how
the deceased served as an emblem of the majesty of Yeshivas
Chevron, saying that with his petiroh a generation of
spiritual giants at Yeshivas Slobodka in Chevron is nearly
gone.
HaRav Aharon Shakovitzky zt"l is survived by his wife
and doros yeshorim following in the path he set during
his lifetime.
