“Who Bows & Enters, and Bows & Exits, and Studies Torah Regularly” (Talmud Sanhedrin 88b)

The genius chassid, Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry z”l, one of the eminent students of the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva and the Sfat Emet yeshiva; spread Torah in the Chidushei Harim yeshiva and the Sinai Talmud Torah; a judge in the religious court of Tel Aviv; a scholar with in depth knowledge of all areas of the Torah

In honour of the 50th anniversary of his passing, Tamuz 17, 5733 – 5783 (1973-2023)

By: Simcha B. Markson

The genius chassid Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry z”l (courtesy of the office of the Chidushei Harim yeshiva)

Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry z”l is one of the majestic figures that graced the Ger chasidic community 50 years ago. His name has become an icon symbolizing perseverance and knowledge of the Torah, a name that is mentioned with admiration and as an example of a Jew who surrounded himself only with halacha (Jewish law). The platform is too short to describe his glorious life, and his many actions in teaching the Torah to the public; on this canvas, we will draw a few lines about his illuminating character so that the future generation may know. There will be another time to write more and more about his greatness.

The year was 5695, the Sfat Emet yeshiva was in its first years. Jewish settlement in the Holy Land in those days suffered from severe hunger and economic hardship, and this is apart from the spiritual danger of some of the Zionist movements that swept the youth after them.

The student, Meir Kaploshnik, one of the elite students of the Sfat Emet yeshiva, sent a letter to the son of the Imrei Emet z”l – known as the Beit Yisrael z”l, expressing his sorrow for the academic atmosphere in the yeshiva that is not to his liking, and lamenting that it lacks characters of excellent young men who will have a positive influence on their friends, and therefore considered moving and studying at another yeshiva.

A few days later, he received a response letter from the Beit Yisrael. In the letter, he was informed that in the coming days, the outstanding young man Yeshayahu Mondry and two other excellent young men like him are planning to go to the Holy Land and are coming to study at the Sfat Emet yeshiva.

This answer was enough to provide an answer to the question of Rabbi Meir Kaploshnik z”l. Indeed, the arrival of Rabbi Yeshaya Mondry at the Sfat Emet yeshiva breathed new life into the teachings, and had a positive effect on all the students of the yeshiva, and it was not long before the yeshiva became soemthing big, for one thing, due to her students being devoted to Torah and reverence.

A Diligent Torah Scholar – “A Cucumber can be Recognized from Its Blossoming Stage” (Talmud Brachot 48a)

From the dawn of his youth until his old age, Rabbi Yeshayahu was immersed in Torah. He was already known in his youth as a greatly diligent student, a sharp prodigy, knowledgeable in all areas of the Torah, an honest person with a logical mind, a genius in Torah and chasidism.

He was a young boy when he studied in yeshiva in Warsaw; young in years but exceedingly knowledgeable. At night, as was the custom in those days, when the young men slept in the homes of local residents, Rabbi Yeshaya slept in the apartment of a local cobbler, who during the day worked as a cobbler, and at night – to supplement his income – worked cutting hair. No wonder that due to the noise and commotion, the diligent boy’s rest was disturbed, and more than once he would enter the nearby Beit Midrash and study there until the late hours of the night.

Later, when he told his children about his years of study in the yeshiva, he would describe with emotion, how in the early morning, he broke the ice created by the intense cold, and ritually washed his hands very quickly. Until the end of his days, even when he was sick and weak, he made sure to study in the morning, and used to say that in the morning the air is still clean, and the time is better for higher quality studying. He had a long study session in preparation for the morning prayers; during these hours, he would study the mussar (morals) books, Chovot HaLevavot (Duty of the Heart), Reishit Chochma (The Begining of Wisdom), Shaarei Teshuva (The Gates of Repentance), and more, and then he studied Mishna with the commentaries.

About his perseverance in his younger years, his relative testified that she remembered from her childhood that when they would sometimes come to visit the house of their grandfather Rabbi Pinchas Mondry z”l in the city of Mlawa, Poland, the young boy Rabbi Yeshayahu would often sit in one of the inner rooms of the house and medidated constantly on the Torah.

His son, the chassid Rabbi Naftali, added that he later heard his father express himself, that he cannot go even one moment without the Torah! But at the same time, Rabbi Naftali said, “despite his enormous perseverance and preoccupation with various matters, he was a devoted father to his children; he took care of everything we needed. He spoke calmly, and we never heard him raise his voice.”

Until the end of his life, Rabbi Yeshayahu studied Talmud very diligently. Rabbi Yitzchak Shapira said that he once wanted to talk to Rabbi Yeshayahu about a certain matter; he came to the Sfat Emet yeshiva, where Rabbi Yeshayahu established his place in Torah learning even after his marriage [when he lived in Jerusalem, before he moved to the city of Tel Aviv], and did not dare to disturb him in the middle of his studies. It was in the afternoon, and Rabbi Yeshayahu was sitting in his place and was completely focused on the Rambam’s (Maimonides) words. When the Mincha prayer began, Rabbi Yeshayahu got up from his seat, took his hat, and opened his siddur, and when the prayer ended he was already bent over his books. Rabbi Yitzchak said that he had no choice but to wait four whole hours until Rabbi Yeshayahu finished his studies.

He also said that he once entered Rabbi Yeshayahu’s house while he was still a young man, and to his surprise he saw Rabbi Yeshayahu standing by the primus stove. With one hand he was washing the diapers of his infant daughter in hot water, and with the other hand he was holding the Ketzot HaChosen (Ends of the Breastplate) book and was thinking about it intently…

Every day, Rabbi Yeshayahu spend many hours learning in one of the rooms of his home. And even though during the hot summer days he suffered greatly from the terrible heat, and there was no ventilation and – needless to say – no air conditioning in the room that he studied in, the heat did not bother him at all. And he even testified before his son, Rabbi Yitzchak, that when he was focused on his studies, he did not pay attention to everything that was happening around him, and he did not remember anything that was not related to his studies. Thus he studied diligently and persistently in a special tune, and instilled in his children the love of the Torah that burned in his heart.

One of the Top Students of the Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva

Rabbi Yeshayahu turned away from honour, from the time he was the “star of Mlawa” until he became became well-known as one of the great prodigies of the young people of Poland. His rabbis expected greatness from him, and indeed, he did not disappoint them. When he was about 12 years old, he had a strong desire to sit on the benches of the famous Chachmei Lublin yeshiva, which was known as the home of the greatest scholars and geniuses, and whose students’ perseverance became a household name in the world of Torah and yeshivas.

The genius chassid, Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry during the time that he studied in the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva (from the Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin Book, Rabbi David Mandelbaum)

After he was successfully tested by Rabbi Meir Shapira z”l, his rabbi prophesied a bright future for him, placed his hand on his forehead and said: “From here the rulings of halacha (Jewish law) will come.”

Rabbi Yeshayahu merited to study in the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva for three years, and for three years the yeshiva was honoured to have Rabbi Yeshayahu among its best students. He was an example to his friends of a persistent and diligent young man, knowledgeable, and at the same time, also a devout and humble servant of G-d.

About a year and a half out of the years of his studies in the yeshiva, Rabbi Yeshayahu learned Torah and wisdom directly from the head of the yeshiva, Rabbi Meir Shapira z”l, who died young on Cheshvan 7, 5694 (Oct. 27, 1933). It is told in the Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin Book (by Rabbi David Mandelbaum): “One of the students of the yeshiva, Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry z”l, once studied for six consecutive hours with a tremendous amount of effort until he became weak and fainted… Following this, Rabbi Meir Shapira z”l, made a rule that after several hours of study, the students must go out to walk a bit in the yeshiva’s garden.” Sometimes Rabbi Meir Shapira, himself, went out for a walk and spent a bit of time with the diligent prodigy and diligent boy, who dedicated himself to Torah.

Later, his friend, the genius Rabbi Shlomo Wosner z”l, wrote about him: “And already in his youth he came forth with the crown that was adorned upon him by the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva, and he was one of the excellent ones, and his reputation preceded him in the early dawn of his childhood, and they benefited from his counsel and resourcefulness, wisdom, and valour”

The genius Rabbi Natan Lubert z”l told of his wonderful memories of Rabbi Yeshayahu, and he said that thanks to him, dozens of Torah thoughts that Rabbi Yeshayahu heard from his rabbis in the Chachmei Lublin yeshiva were preserved, and if it weren’t for him, these thoughts would have been forgotten with time.

When his father, Rabbi Pinchas, came to visit his beloved son who was diligently studying in the yeshiva, a Jew who owned a local kiosk approached him and said to him: “I am a seller at the kiosk next to the yeshiva, and from time to time young men come there and buy food products, why doesn’t your son come to buy from me? Does he lack money? If so, I can sell it to him on credit.” Rabbi Pinchas answered him: “By the grace of G-d, the livelihood is in my pocket, but the benevolent young man is satisfied with little and does not need it, and is content with the food given to the students in the yeshiva’s dining room.”

Three years later, in the year 5695 (1934-5), when he was a boy of about eighteen years old, together with his father and his family members, Rabbi Yeshayahu decided to sail to the Holy Land. His friends from the yeshiva, in their admiration for him, mourned his departure. Some of them would meet him years later in the Holy Land, some of them would even continue to study with him at the Sfat Emet yeshiva in Jerusalem, but unfortunately – most of them were killed in sanctification of G-d’s Name during the terrible war years.

In the Sfat Emet Yeshiva

Rabbi Yeshayahu studied daily at the Sfat Emet yeshiva in Jerusalem. This was his third stop during his youth – a period of time that is not particularly long, but very significant. A period that left a mark on himself, and especially on those around him who learned a chapter from him on the laws of learning Torah.

In those years, Rabbi Yeshayahu had the privilege of being in a holy presence – in the shadow of the Imrei Emet rabbi, and he was connected to the rabbi with all his heart and soul. The rabbi saw the boy’s perseverance and expressed his satisfaction with it. It once happened during Rabbi Yeshayahu’s time studying Gemara, that he suddenly felt that there was a shadow over him. He realized that someone was standing behind him and thought that the person wanted to ask him a question. He raised his head, and to his surprise, he saw the Imrei Emet standing and watching him as he studied steadily. After that, it became clear to him that the Rebbe had been standing there for five whole minutes without him noticing. [Rabbi Naftali told: My father noticed a shadow on his Gemara for about fifteen minutes, then he noticed that the Rebbe was standing behind him. He continued his studies, and saw that the Rebbe still remained standing there for a long time].

A short time after he began to study in the Sfat Emet yeshiva, his name was already known far and wide for his greatness in Torah and fear of G-d. The elders of Jerusalem spoke words of Torah with him and expected him to have a bright future. Those thirsty for knowledge and Torah scholars gathered around him and sought to be inspired by his wisdom and knowledge and by his G-d fearing nature. Rabbi Yeshayahu ascended and exalted himself in the virtues of the Torah and acquired for himself a good reputation. To this day, when we wish to mention a figure of a diligent and well-read chassid, Rabbi Yeshayahu’s name is mentioned with great admiration.

Every day Rabbi Yeshayahu would study three seders (orders) of the Mishna for six consecutive hours, and during the day he studied diligently for eighteen hours! And about this, his son Rabbi Yitzchak Mondry told: “My father and teacher z”l used to hide his knowledge of the Torah from the eyes of the people, and was reluctant to talk about himself. However, there was a rare opportunity once that I was privileged to hear a little from him about his years in his youth. It was when I was a young man; I went to visit him on the Sukkot holiday, and he told me that his friend Rabbi Moshe David Wolkowitz z”l told him that his son Rabbi Gavriel z”l of Haifa, was the first to pass the test on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah (book of Jewish law) and received a yoreh yoreh certificate (a track of rabbinical certification related to teaching). My father asked me: ‘Are you also thinking of getting a teaching certificate?’ I answered and told him that it would take several years until I would acquire clear knowledge in the part of Yoreh Deah. My father asked me in great bewilderment: ‘How many years?! After all, three months is enough time to get a teaching certificate…'”

“After this, he continued and asked me: ‘How long does it take you to learn a page of Gemara?’ He did not wait for my answer. Rather, he continued and said ‘from my youth, I was used to studying six hours consecutively and without distraction, [and in his words: ‘In my study sessions, I started once and finished once!’], and when you study in this way you can get a lot done,’ he added and said: ‘Being a young man of about twenty, I already knew Shas (the six orders of the Mishna) with the Tosfot commentaries by heart! I had the privilege of finishing the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch after a period of time that I studied every day for six consecutive hours in the afternoon, and for each part of the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch, I devoted an hour and a half.'”

And in the morning when he woke up, he learned for another few hours, and in that time he would learn mussar (morals) books and Mishna with the commentaries of Maimonides and the Rashba rabbi.

His friend from his youth, the chassid, Rabbi Nechemia Seidman z”l, once said that the greatness of Rabbi Yeshayahu must be noted, that when he finished his studies in a certain tractate and worked to study another tractate, it would seem to him that he had already been immersed in that tractate for a long period of time, and not like the way of the world in which it takes time to get down to business.

Once, when a siyum (celebration for the completion of a portion of study) was being held at the yeshiva, Rabbi Yeshayahu stood up and said the Hadran prayer in a clear manner and with great proficiency, surprising the listeners who were greatly amazed by the young boy’s knowledge.

At that time, it was the custom for yeshiva students, especially from Lithuanian yeshivas, to go every Friday to the home of the chief rabbi, Rabbi Yitzchak Herzog z”l to talk with him in his study, and anyone who spoke with him in studies would receive a decent payment from him for his well-being.

On the occasion, Rabbi Herzog expressed himself to Rabbi Yaakov Chanoch Sankewitz: “Where are the Hasidic scholars, why don’t you see them with me like all the young men in Jerusalem?!” In light of his request, Rabbi Sankewitz decided to send him a group of selected students of the Sfat Emet yeshiva, among whom were Rabbi Simcha Bunim Leizerson z”l, Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry z”l, Rabbi Yitzchak Flekser z”l, Rabbi Natan Lubert z”l, and Rabbi S.Z. Fisher z”l. When they brought up their views on serious issues in the Shas, Rabbi Herzog was very impressed by the extent of their knowledge and the depth of their understanding, to the point that he was moved and amazed and publicly praised them.

Later, Rabbi Herzog met with the Kabbalist genius Rabbi Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach z”l, and listened to him in amazement regarding “how many Torah scholars from the Sfat Emet yeshiva amazed him with their knowledge, and their mastery over all their colleagues from the other yeshivas” (Rabbi Elazar Flekser said in the name of his father Rabbi Yitzchak Flekser z”l. Rabbi Herzog’s close associate, Rabbi Shaar-Yashuv HaCohen z”l, rabbi of Haifa, also testified that every Shabbat evening, he would see Rabbi Yeshayahu debating in study with Rabbi Herzog).

The letters that have been preserved from Rabbi Yitzchak Herzog z”l when he corresponded with Rabbi Yeshayahu with words of Torah reflect the admiration and importance he attributed to him, and the praises that Rabbi Herzog wrote to Rabbi Yeshayahu, while he was still a student at the Sfat Emet yeshiva. This is the content of one letter: “With G-d’s help, Kislev 22, 5700 (Dec. 4, 1939), to my dear friend, the prodigy, the genius, Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry, Tel Aviv, Mizrachi Street 2. After the request of your well-being, please update me on your current situation, please let me know when you will be in Jerusalem next week. Let me know in advance and also the exact time, so that I can leave my business to receive you, so that you won’t have to wait long… you very dear friend, Yitzchak HaLevi Herzog, the chief rabbi of the Land of Israel.”

Every month, Rabbi Yeshayahu would walk with some of his friends to the home of the head of the Mir yeshiva, Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, and each time would give over his Torah thoughts. After that, Rabbi Finkel would take coins out of his pocket and give them to him as a sign of friendship. In the same episode, Rabbi Yeshayahu was privileged to receive rabbinical ordination from these genius rabbis; the rabbi of Czebin z”l, Rabbi Herzog z”l, and Rabbi Finkel z”l.

In the year 5739 (1978-9), the Lev Simcha rabbi said to Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Shpernowitz and to Rabbi Yitzchak Silberberg regarding the establishment of the yeshiva in Jerusalem on Chagiz Street (and later in Ashdod): “A young man and yeshiva student must learn at least 2-3 pages of Gemara each day. I cannot say to study them with the commentaries of the Tosfot, but at least Gemara with the commentaries of Rashi. In the Sfat Emet yeshiva, there once learned 60 students and 20 of them knew Shas…a third of the yeshiva! For example, Yitzchak Flekser, Shamai Ginzburg, Yeshayahu Mondry z”l.”

“He Also Knows Rambam (Maimonides)”

In Elul 5700 (summer 1939), Rabbi Yeshayahu became engaged to the daughter of Rabbi Avraham Dov (Barrel) Sonnenfeld z”l, the son of Rabbi Yaakov Meir z”l, the son of the genius Rabbi Yosef Chaim z”l. When the week of Sheva Brachot (the week of the wedding, when feasts are held and seven blessings are recited) ended, he continued as before to learn and be diligent in his studies. His soul did not know how to be satisfied, and he fulfilled the saying of the Sages, “One who has a portion, wants 200”. Shas, Shulchan Aruch, and Nachmanides were known to him just as well as the Ashrei Yoshvei Beitecha prayer, however, he did not stop from his immense perseverance and he continued to repeat and memorize, and to add and learn more and more rulings and interpretations. At the same time, he also learned and memorized the Jerusalem Talmud from beginning to end, and dozens of years later, he still knew the Jerusalem Talmud by heart.

Contragulatory blessings for his engagement (Kol Yisrael, Shvat 5700/1939)

Before his marriage, when his father-in-law, Rabbi Barrel z”l, went to the Imrei Emet to receive a blessing on the occasion of the celebration, the Rebbe praised his son-in-law, the young man, saying that apart from his knowledge of the Shas, he also knew the books of Maimonides (heard form his son, the genius chassid Rabbi Chaim z”l).

One of the Founders of the Branch in Tel Aviv

All his life, Rabbi Yeshayahu walked on the side of the road and did not seek honour, but whenever he ran away from honour – honour followed him. His first job was already in the year 5696 (1935-6), while he was a full-time student at the Sfat Emet yeshiva.

In the year 5696 (1935-6), with the instruction of the Imrei Emet, the Lev Simcha rabbi worked to establish a new yeshiva in the Tel Aviv. Although at first it seemed like a bold idea to establish a yeshiva in a distinctly secular city, after quite a while the idea became a reality and exists to this day.

Rabbi David (Weisbrod) Halachmi z”l, one of the first students of the branch of the Sfat Emet yeshiva (later called the Chidushei Harim yeshiva), described the years of his youth in his memoirs: “Surrounded by terror and bloody events, the turbulent days of 5696-5699 (1936-9), we were encouraged by the blessing of the Rebbe, the Imrei Emet z”l, and by his orders we invested ourselves in Torah study and the establishment of the chasidic yeshiva in Tel Aviv. The head of the yeshiva and its spiritual guide was the genius Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry z”l, one of the preeminent students of Rabbi Meir Shapira z”l and of the Sfat Emet yeshiva. After a short period of time, the founding group returned to the Sfat Emet yeshiva. A younger group came, under the spiritual guidance of the wonderful Rabbi Bunim Lazerson z”l, and the yeshiva slowly established itself and expanded, and from a branch it became an independent yeshiva, and was named after the Rebbe, the Chidushei Harim z”l . It was headed by Rabbi Gedalia Hertz z”l, one of the preeminent students of the Sfat Emet yeshiva. To assist the president of the yeshiva, the Lev Simcha rabbi z”l, were a group of dedicated chasidic businessmen, led by the wonderful and unforgettable, Rabbi Pinchas Mondry z”l, and over time the large building was built on Peretz Street, in the heart of the busy area”.

Students of the branch of the Sfat Emet yeshiva in prayers in the hall of the building on Peretz street (courtesy of the office of the Chidushei Harim yeshiva)

“Any Judge who Judges a True Judgement Truthfully” (Talmud Shabbat 10a) – In the Rabbinical Court

On Sivan 18, 5703 (June 21, 1943), the separate rabbinate of Agudath Israel was established together with a court composed of Rabbi Meir Karlitz, brother of the Chazon Ish, Rabbi Mordechai Yaffe-Schlesinger, rabbi of Eisenstadt, and Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry z”l. The judges were paid their meager monthly salary from the income of leading weddings, giving Torah rulings, etc. The separate rabbinate of Agudath Israel existed until the period of the establishment of the State and the establishment of the Ministry of Religion, at which time Agudath Israel joined the religious council in Tel Aviv.

The establishment of the Agudath Israel rabbinate in the city of Tel Aviv was not a bed of roses. The National Committee fought hard against it. The general press, led by the HaTzofeh newspaper, also embarked on a fight against the autonomy that the ultra-Orthodox were seeking to establish on the land of the Tel Aviv… However, Agudath Israel continued on its way and did not even address the threats of violence directed at it, until the storm subsided.

In 5708 (1948), with the establishment of the system of rabbinical courts by the chief rabbinate, Rabbi Mordechai Schlesinger was appointed as the head of the rabbinical court, after the agreement of the Chazon Ish and the head of the Pressburg rabbinical court z”l. But Rabbi Yeshayahu was left without a position.

It was told by Rabbi Yehuda Meir Abramowitz z”l that when the separate rabbinate of Agudath Israel was abolished and it was decided to join the chief rabbinate and the religious council in Tel Aviv, it was agreed upon that the members of the court of Agudath Israel would be added as judges to the courts of the chief rabbinate. But in fact the promise was not fulfilled and only Rabbi Schlesinger joined, while Rabbi Karlitz was appointed the rabbi of Poalei Agudath Israel, and Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry was appointed the director of the Talmud Torah Sinai school.

A few years later, Rabbi Yeshayahu asked to resign from his position at Sinai and be appointed as a judge on the rabbinical court in Tel Aviv, but since he did not want to become a member of HaPoel HaMizrachi, his way to the court was blocked, since HaPoel HaMizrachi ruled the Ministry of Religion at the time. When the matter reached the Beit Yisrael rabbi, he asked Rabbi Yehuda Meir to contact Rabbi Unterman z”l, the chief rabbi of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and to work for the appointment of Rabbi Yeshayahu. Indeed, Rabbi Yehuda Meir did as he was ordered to, and then entered the residence of the Beit Yisrael and announced that the matter was settled, and that within a few weeks Rabbi Yeshayahu would be appointed to serve as a judge.

The Beit Yisrael asked Rabbi Yehuda Meir: “And what did you tell him?” “I told him this,” Rabbi Yehuda Meir replied, “‘Rabbi Unterman, do you consider me to be a friend,’ and he answered me that yes we are good friends and have worked together for many years. I added by saying to him: ‘As a good friend, I am giving you advice to acquire a good friend of the public, a Ger chassid in Tel Aviv…” Upon hearing these words, a tear ran down the face of the Beit Yisrael z”l (Ish Chai Rav Poalim, by Rabbi Avraham Chanoch Abrahamowitz)

And thus in Sivan 5716 (summer 1956), after a determined struggle in the Knesset, and thanks to the vigorous activity of the members of Agudath Israel, Rabbi Yeshayahu was officially appointed as a member of the Tel Aviv district rabbinical court.

When he sat in the court to discuss important cases, he was attentive to every detail, and he did not pass over even a small matter. His writings are full of research on various problems that were discussed in the court. He devoted long hours to editing the court rulings and putting them on the record. And despite his preoccupation and the investment of his whole head and mind in the matters, upon the completion of his work at the court, it was not at all apparent that he dealt with these matters, because Torah learning time is separate, its own matter.

The genius Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry z”l and the genius Rabbi Shalom Chassid z”l at the wedding of Rabbi Yitzchak Mondry.

Spreading Torah to Others & Heading the Sinai Talmud Torah School

During the period when he served as a member of the Agudath Israel’s rabbinical court, before being appointed as a member of the official rabbinical court, he would come to participate in the meetings of the court twice a week, and at the same time he also made a living as the head of the Sinai Talmud Torah school, and for a certain period of time, before he was appointed as the head, he was an educator in the upper levels. With dedication and commitment, he educated the youth, and devoted himself and invested in the education of the boys who were going to study in the holy yeshiva, and instilled in them Torah and godliness. But what mainly influenced them was his personal example.

The Sinai Talmud Torah school was an old school located in the southern part of Tel Aviv, at Congress Street 29. Over the years, a generation of scholars, rabbis and heads of yeshivas, famous community leaders, and hundreds of Torah and G-d-fearing people emerged from within the walls of the Talmud Torah. It was founded in 5694 (1933-4) by Rabbi Gershon Liss z”l, who immigrated to Israel especially for the pupose of founding the institution, which was the first ultra-orthodox school in Tel Aviv. For about a decade, the Rabbi Zalman Yanklewitz z”l served as the head of the school, followed by Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry, whose father, Rabbi Pinchas z”l, was one of the great patrons of the school. After Rabbi Mondry, the school was headed by Rabbi Yitzchak Shenkar. The Chazon Ish z”l used to come from time to time to the Talmud Torah and test the students on their studies.

The chassid, Rabbi Moshe Ehrenstein z”l, the mayor of Bnei Brak, told in his book, Shaliach Tzibbur, about his memories from his childhood in Tel Aviv: “In the Sinai Talmud Torah school, chasidic educators and people of action taught, and they invested all their heart and soul into the education of the children. Among them was the genius, Rabbi Yitzchak Yedidya Frankel z”l [chief rabbi of Tel Aviv-Jaffa], the genius chassid, Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry z”l, Rabbi Nachman David Malewsky, and others. It was an exemplary team, who were unreservedly and uncompromisingly devoted to the pure education of the young children in the way of the Torah. One of the leaders of the administration of the Talmud Torah was Rabbi Pinchas Mondry z”l, who was also one of the pillars of all activities related to Torah life and reverence in those days.”

[It is interesting to note the special impression made by the words of Rabbi Yaakov Henich Sankewitz z”l, head of the Sfat Emet yeshiva, in his words at the dedication of the Sinai Talmud Torah building. He referred to the fact that in those days the Zionist Congress met in Basel, Switzerland, and said in his words: “They will sit there in the Congress in Switzerland and talk very highly about the Land of Israel… and we are here on Congress Street in Tel Aviv, Israel, we will build another fortress and another fortress to educate the children of Israel in the Torah and to be G-d-fearing…”].

One of Rabbi Yeshayahu’s student in the Sinai Talmud Torah, the chassid Rabbi Shmuel Menachem Lieberman z”l, the head of the Imrei Emet yeshiva, told that in a period of about half a year, Rabbi Yeshayahu taught them the entire tractate Bava Kama with the commentaries of the Rishonim (earlier Talmudic rabbis). He also said that he accompanied him on his way to the rabbinic court, and when they were on the way, Rabbi Yeshayahu memorized Choshen Mishpat from Shulchan Aruch by heart, and thus knew most of Shulchan Aruch by heart – from these minutes of walking down the street!

This is also what Rabbi Gershon Markson, who was privileged to study with Rabbi Yeshayahu along with other boys of his age, and grew up to become of high stature, such as Rabbi Shlomo Silberstein and others, and for one year fo study, Rabbi Yeshayahu taught them the entire tractate of Bava Kama from beginning to end.

In the breaks between classes, Rabbi Yeshayahu was immersed in his books. And every day after the end of studies, Rabbi Yeshayahu would walk with his students towards the court where he served as a judge, and on the way he would come back and memorize with them the Gemara that they had learned that day. Even in his position as the head of the Talmud Torah, he often had a volume on his desk with the entire Shas, and he would think about it eagerly in his spare time, which turned into a long study schedule…

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When he was at his height, before he even reached old age, and with a good reputation, Rabbi Yeshayahu passed away – on the 17th of Tammuz 5733 (July 17, 1973), the anniversary of the day Moses broke the tablets – and he was privileged to leave behind sons who were scholars of great stature, hundreds of students who follow in his footsteps, and even some published Torah thoughts, in various Torah publications: in Ohel Shel Torah, in Ohel Yeshayahu on tractate Bava Kama, and more, as well as in notebooks kept by family members. At his funeral, he was eulogized with emotion and greatly mourned by his childhood friend, Rabbi Shlomo Wosner z”l; Rabbi Yaakov Rosenthal, the head of he Tel Aviv-Jaffa rabbinical court; and Rabbi Shlomo Silberstein, the Ger chasidic rabbi in Bnei Brak. Rabbi Yeshayahu is buried in the cemetery in Bnei Brak, near and in view of the grave of the Chazon Ish z”l, and next to the grave of his great friend and predecessor in the management of the Sinai Talmud Torah, Rabbi Zalman Yanklewitz z”l.

About a year after his passing, one of his friends mourned about him: “Rabbi Yeshayahu ascended to the heights at dusk, when the Gemara on his table remained open and silent, its pages flapping in the light evening wind, back and forth like a ship tossing on the waves of the sea without grasping its oars, and a silent cry seemed to cry out: ‘Who will organize your systems, and who will straighten your compilations, who will decipher your secrets, who will reveal your mysteries, who will create beings and who will explain away fragments.‘”

With thanks and blessings to the members of his family who will live on for their assistance in preparing this article, and may these words be for the elevation of his soul and a stepping stone for those who aspire to follow in his footsteps.

“The Son Surpasses his Father in Knowledge and Actions” (Talmud Chulin 63a)

Rabbi Yeshayahu z”l was born in the year 5676 (1915-6), a few months after the passing of his ancestor, the chasid, Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry z”l of Mlawa, Poland, who had the privilege of being in the presence of the Sfat Emet.

In the book Di Yiddishe Mlawa (The Jewish Mlawa), the life of the Jews of Mlawa is described. It tells about the Mondry family that lived in the city: “In the house of Rabbi Yeshayahu Mondry, who was engaged in trade for a living, you could always see people who came here from nearby towns to buy goods, or people exhausted from hunger who came to his house to eat to their heart’s content. In his home, the table was set at all hours of the day. Everyone knew about Rabbi Yeshayahu’s custom of welcoming guests.”

“Rabbi Yeshayahu was a Jew of form, of great charity, and an enthusiastic Ger chassid. When the Gerrer Rebbe (the Imrei Emet) passed through the city, he used to stay in the house of Rabbi Yeshayahu. His son Rabbi Pinchas Mondry z”l, was known and famous for being one of the most significant figures of Agudath Israel. Later, he immigrated to the Land of Israel together with dozens of other chasidic families from the town’s residents, including Yosel Garfinkel, Yechiel Katz, Yehoshua Nafarstak, and more. Every Thursday, when the mail arrived from the Land of Israel, even the foreign postman knew that the whole town was eagerly awaiting letters from “there.” Each person would deliver the good news that the letters arrived from Eretz Yisrael…”

It should be noted that this was also testified by Rabbi Shmuel Segal z”l, from the city of Mlawa, that suffering people would come to Rabbi Yeshayahu’s house; anyone who had nowhere to eat or spend the night, he would warmly receive into his home.

His grandson, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak z”l told: “My grandfather, Rabbi Yeshayahu behaved in a holy manner and in a special chasidic ways, so for example, at the Shabbat meal, the men would sit in one room, and the women in a separate room.”

His grandson, Rabbi Naftali, told: “I heard from the Rebbe, the Beit Yisrael, that he knew the chassid Rabbi Yeshayahu z”l, well, as one of the followers of the Sfat Emet. And like a river, tears poured down his face as he spoke about him, and it seems that he was very friendly with him.”

On Adar 8, 5675 (Feb. 22, 1925), Rabbi Yeshayahu, the son of Rabbi Avraham HaLevi, was buried in section 47 of the Gensza cemetery in Warsaw. Due to his lineage and his being a relative of the Modzhitzer Rebbe, he meritted to be buried in this privileged section, as it contained most of the Rebbe’s family who passed away between the years 5670-5690 (1909-1930). Among them were the rebbes of Kotzk, Filow, Lomza, Amshinow, Modzhitz, Zwolen, Pelcowizna, Baranowice, the Divrei Shmuel of Slonim, Wola, and more. The grave of Rabbi Yeshayahu z”l is located at the entrance to the mausoleum of Rabbi Yaakov of Jablona z”l, a descendant of Rabbi Yechezkel of Kuzmir z”l (the information about his burial place – courtesy of Rabbi Simcha Protzel). [Regarding this, Rabbi Yitzchak Mondry adds: “Once one of the descendants of the Rebbe of Zwolen came to Tel Aviv. And my grandmother, the wife of the Rabbi Pinchas z”l, said to my father, Rabbi Yeshayahu z”l: ‘Although as a Ger chassid, you don’t usually spend time with other rebbes, this rebbe is a relative of yours, and you are allowed to go to him…'”]

A large canvas can be devoted to the extensive activities of Rabbi Pinchas Mondry z”l, both in his involvement in the activities of Agudath Israel in Poland, and even more so in his efforts to establish the Jewish community in the Land of Israel. Rabbi Pinchas was known as the “Father of the Pioneers’ Association in the Agudath Israel in Poland,” and this because he was the first to do anything related to in holiness. Dozens if not hundreds of families owe him their spiritual and physical lives. With the instruction of the Imrei Emet z”l, he was engaged for many years in the education of the Jewish girls. He did not reveal this to anyone because this was done out of a holy inner mission. He took care of all the students’ needs, helped them immigrate to the Land of Israel, and even dealt a lot with the mitzvah of helping needy brides. [It is worth noting the extreme degree of caution Rabbi Yeshayahu kept in guarding his eyes while he was still a young man, at a time when there were girls in the home of his father Rabbi Pinchas z”l].

Farewell gathering for Rabbi Pinchas Mondry, Adar 5695 (winter 1935)

In the newspaper Artokisheh Yugend Blatter (Tevet 5690/January 1930), the name of Rabbi Pinchas z”l is mentioned among the list of representatives and important guests who participated in the second Great Congress of Agudath Israel. Rabbi Pinchas was also one of the first founders of the Hachshara (preparatory) kibbutzim of Tzeirei Agudath Israel (Agudath Israel’s youth movement).

In 5691 (1929-30), when Rabbi Pinchas asked to sail to Israel under the instruction of the Imrei Emet and work there for the Jewish settlement in the Holy Land, the Zionist leaders in his city tried to place difficulties in his path. They made a deal with him that they agree to let go of their interference if he pays them a large sum for the funds of the Zionist movement, and also to sign a special statement that he supports them and their enterprises. Rabbi Pinchas, of course, refused to comply with their request, and in other ways he managed to obtain a passport to the city of Vienna, Austria, where he received a tourist visa, and thus was able to immigrate to Israel for several months. When he was in Israel, he worked hard to maintain peace amongst the charedi population of Jerusalem, and to unite for the establishment of the Jewish settlement in the spirit of the Torah and tradition, according to the instruction of the Imrei Emet z”l.

In 5695 (1934-5), he immigrated to the Land of Israel with his family. [In the Adar 5695 edition of the Darkeinu newspaper, a special description appears of the going away party that was arranged in his honour, with the participating of about 100 people, in the hall of the school in Mlawa]. He established his home in the city of Tel Aviv, and continued even more strongly and courageously with his pursuits for the public and individuals. Rabbi Pinchas was known for his extreme care in the Jewish laws related to economic matters. The Lev Simcha rabbi z”l trusted him with fully. Even when he served as director of institutions, he was careful not to benefit from anything belonging to the institution’s funds, even though according to the Jewish law, this is permitted. Much more can be told about him, but the there is too much to say in such a short space. Rabbi Pinchas passed away on 2 Tammuz 5721 (June 16, 1961). May his memory be blessed.