5 Nisan · Yahrzeit
Rabbi Reuven Yosef Gershonovich - The Tzadik of Ofakim
Rabbi Reuven Yosef Gershonovich - The Tzadik of Ofakim, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat HaNegev (1915-1995)
Yahrzeit - 5 Nissan
Resting place - Ofakim
He was born on Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5675 (1915) in the city of Lapichi in the Minsk region of Ukraine. His father served in the town's Yeshiva for young men together with the town rabbi, Rav Yisroel Isser Shapira (son of Rav Refael Shapira, Av Beit Din of Volozhin).
In the winter of 5685 (1925) he became the rav of Zhabinka, a small town located between Brisk and Kamenets, whose population consisted mostly of very religious baalei batim who sent their sons to yeshivas. Despite his demanding schedule of learning, the Rav was fully devoted to his community. Everyone in the town knew that the Rav's home was the address for all their troubles.
That same year, in the summer, Rav Reuven was taken by his father to the Yeshiva for young men in Lida, which was far from home. He eagerly absorbed everything he heard from his Rav, Mordechai Shmukler, an outstanding Gaon and tzadik who served in the Yeshiva at the time (he was killed during World War II and is entirely forgotten, having left behind no descendants), and from the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yaakov Neiman.
In those days, bochurim depended on the hospitality of the local baalei batim. Rav Reuven's noble character made it hard for him to feel comfortable with this arrangement, especially when he was forced to witness the poverty that prevailed in these families. He did not eat regularly in the homes of the townspeople, and for long stretches his only food was frozen potatoes, which were easily obtainable in the Yeshiva.
After Lida he went to Kobrin, to study in the yeshiva of Rav Pesach Pruskin. According to one of his friends, he also studied for a time in Baranovichi under Rav Elchonon Wasserman, and then returned to Kobrin.
Rav Aharon Steinman related that Rav Reuven's diligence was so intense that he spoke of nothing but his learning, adding that even as his roommate in the Yeshiva, he was certain Rav Reuven did not know his name - such was his devotion to his studies.
He was sent food packages from home, but he gave them away to his friends, sustaining himself on the small amount of food available in the Yeshiva.
He was greatly influenced by the personality of Rav Boruch Ber, author of "Birkat Shmuel," from whom he absorbed methods of deep analysis. Rav Reuven quickly stood out among the bochurim of the Yeshiva. Friends from his later years at the Lomza Yeshiva in Petach Tikva recall that from his style of learning, when he first arrived at the Yeshiva, it was clear he was a talmid of Rav Boruch Ber, and he was even given the title "R' Boruch Bernik."
Rav Boruch Ber was proven right in his teaching method, as he ultimately became one of the greatest disseminators of Torah of his generation, raising students of incomparable quality.
Leaving Europe
Rav Reuven left for Eretz Yisroel at the end of 5696, becoming a talmid of the Lomza Yeshiva in Petach Tikva. He was immediately beloved by the Yeshiva for his diligence, intellectual sharpness, and broad knowledge.
During this period Rav Reuven grew close to the Chazon Ish, who loved him very much and praised him highly. Rav Reuven would often present the Chazon Ish with chiddushim that he greatly valued. Upon entering the Chazon Ish's room, the latter would turn to him and say, "Well, delight me with your treats" [a play on words from Shir HaShirim 2:5]: "samchuni ba'ashishot, rapduni batapuchim." This would be an invitation for Rav Reuven to begin reciting his chiddushim.
Rav Chaim Kanievsky recalls that Rav Reuven regularly visited his father, the Gaon the Steipler, every Friday to discuss matters of Torah with him. Each conversation lasted several hours, and the Steipler took great pleasure in listening to Rav Reuven's reasoning.
Rav Yaakov Edelstein (Rav Reuven's son-in-law) recalls that already during this period Rav Reuven's noble character was evident. Those around him during his tefillot could not help but be moved by the audible emotion that accompanied them. No one, he adds, who witnessed the terrible weeping that was an inseparable part of his tefillot during World War II, when rumors spread of the massacre of European Jewry, could remain unaffected.
Many of the talmidim who today serve as Ravs in yeshivas consider him their teacher, who illuminated for them the path to understanding Torah and its logic.
During this period Rav Shach headed the Yeshiva, and the two of them often spoke together. Their close relationship continued for many years, and Rav Reuven always deferred to Rav Shach's authority. As Rav Shach put it shortly after Rav Reuven's passing: "He was with me at all times and in all situations."
When Rav Eliyahu Dushnitzer came to the Lomza Yeshiva, Rav Reuven established a close connection with him and drew from their relationship a sense of yirat Shamayim.
In Netivot
In 5736 (1976), Rav Reuven was called upon by Rav Yissachar Meir to serve as Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat HaNegev. He immediately devoted himself entirely to the Yeshiva and its talmidim. Rav Reuven exemplified the ma'amar Chazal: "One who studies Torah in private will be proclaimed [a scholar] in public." Despite his humility and his efforts to avoid public attention, he became renowned as a Gaon of the highest standing, a brilliant disseminator of Torah, and a holy person whose prayers and blessings were heard in Shamayim. Multitudes of people flocked to his home from all over the world seeking his counsel.
Suffering
About 13 years before his passing, Rav Reuven's health declined, and from then on he suffered constant pain, the extent of which he concealed even from those closest to him. With unprecedented effort, he managed to fully maintain his daily routine.
It was during these years that the full strength of his character was revealed even more, since he could no longer conceal his condition as he had until then. Now everyone could learn from and witness his pure mesirut nefesh.
The 5th of Nissan, 5755. Sunrise. Rav Reuven wakes, washes his hands, says the blessing of Shehakol, and drinks. A special, majestic calm can be felt upon his pure face. His son-in-law recites Birkot HaTorah and Birkot HaShachar. Rav Reuven, who could no longer utter a sound, somehow summoned the strength to answer the brachot with visible emotion.
He passed away with the words: "I feel no pain."
May the merit of the Tzadik protect Am Yisrael!
(http://www.chareidi.org/archives5760/kedoshim/features.htm)