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{{short description|American rabbi}}
{{short description|American rabbi}}
{{Infobox Jewish leader
{{Infobox Jewish leader
|honorific-prefix =Rabbi
|honorific-prefix = Rabbi
|name = Dovid Lifshitz
|name = Dovid Lifshitz
|honorific-suffix =
|honorific-suffix =
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|death_place = New York City
|death_place = New York City
|buried = Israel
|buried = Israel
|nationality = {{flag|United States of America}}
|nationality = Ashkenazi
|residence =
|residence =
|parents =
|parents =
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| last =Goldman
| last =Goldman
| first =Ari L.
| first =Ari L.
| year =
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/29/obituaries/rabbi-dovid-lifshitz-86-scholar-of-talmud-at-yeshiva-university.html
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/29/obituaries/rabbi-dovid-lifshitz-86-scholar-of-talmud-at-yeshiva-university.html
| title = New York Times Obituary
| title = New York Times Obituary
| accessdate = June 16, 2013
| accessdate = June 16, 2013
| curly =
| work=The New York Times
| work=The New York Times
| date=June 29, 1993
| date=June 29, 1993
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}}
}}


'''Dovid Lifshitz''' (1906–1993) was a distinguished [[Rosh yeshiva]] in the [[Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary]] ([[RIETS]]) for almost fifty years. He was appointed upon the invitation of Rabbi [[Samuel Belkin]] in 1944. He was also known as the "Suvalker Rav", due to his previous position as the Rabbi of the European town of [[Suvalk]], which he maintained until its capture by the Nazis in 1940. Some of his lectures on the [[Talmud]] were later compiled and published as "Shiurei Rav Dovid Lifshitz".
'''Dovid Lifshitz''' (1906–1993) was a distinguished Ashkenazi [[Rosh yeshiva]] in the [[Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary]] ([[RIETS]]) for almost fifty years. He was appointed upon the invitation of Rabbi [[Samuel Belkin]] in 1944. He was also known as the "Suvalker Rav", due to his previous position as the Rabbi of the European town of [[Suvalk]], which he maintained until its capture by the Nazis in 1940. Some of his lectures on the [[Talmud]] were later compiled and published as "Shiurei Rav Dovid Lifshitz".


==Early years==
==Early years==
Rabbi Lifshitz was born in [[Minsk]], then [[Imperial Russia]] in 1906 to Yaakov Aryeh and Ittel Lifshitz. His paternal grandfather, Rav Shlomo Zalman Lifshitz, was a businessman in Grodno as well as a distinguished Talmudic scholar, who authored the Olas Shlomo. <ref name="20th Yahrtzeit">{{cite web
Dovid Lifshitz was born in [[Minsk]], then [[Imperial Russia]] in 1906 to Yaakov Aryeh and Ittel Lifshitz. His paternal grandfather, Shlomo Zalman Lifshitz, was a businessman in Grodno as well as a distinguished Talmudic scholar, who authored the Olas Shlomo.<ref name="20th Yahrtzeit">{{cite web
| last = Abraham
| last = Abraham
| first = Dovid
| first = Dovid
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| title = Rav Dovid Lifshitz zt"l The Suvalker Rov and Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchonon
| title = Rav Dovid Lifshitz zt"l The Suvalker Rov and Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchonon
| accessdate = December 9, 2018
| accessdate = December 9, 2018
⚫
}}</ref> He attended cheder together with [[Avraham Even-Shoshan]], where they learned Hebrew and Hebrew grammar from Avraham's father, who was the teacher. In 1919, his family moved to [[Grodno]], where he was a foremost student of the famed Rabbi [[Shimon Shkop]] in the [[Grodno Yeshiva]] (''Shaar Hatorah''). He later studied in the [[Mir yeshiva (Poland)|Mir yeshiva]], staying until 1932, receiving ''[[semicha]]'' and becoming well known as an outstanding scholar. In 1933, he married Tzipporah Chava Yoselowitz, the daughter of the renowned rabbi of [[Suwałki|Suvalk]], Yosef Yoselowitz. Upon the death of his father-in-law in 1935, Lifshitz became chief rabbi of the important city and its 27 congregations, where he developed a reputation as a warm and involved spiritual leader, concerned with all Jews. He remained in Suvalk until the Nazis captured the city in 1940.
| curly =
⚫
}}</ref> He attended cheder together with [[Avraham Even Shoshan|Avraham Rosenstein]], where they learned Hebrew and Hebrew grammar from Avraham's father, who was the teacher. In 1919, his family moved to [[Grodno]], where he was a foremost student of the famed Rabbi [[Shimon Shkop]] in the ''Sha'arei Torah'' yeshiva. He later studied in the [[Mir yeshiva (Poland)|Mir yeshiva]], staying until 1932, receiving [[Semicha]] and becoming well known as an outstanding scholar. In 1933, he married Tzipporah Chava Yoselowitz, the daughter of the renowned rabbi of [[Suwalki|Suvalk]], Rabbi Yosef Yoselowitz. Upon the death of his father-in-law in 1935, Rabbi Lifshitz became chief rabbi of the important city and its 27 congregations, where he developed a reputation as a warm and involved spiritual leader, concerned with all Jews. He remained in Suvalk until the Nazis captured the city in 1940.


==Relocation to America==
==Relocation to America==
In 1941, Rabbi Lifshitz reached America along with his wife and daughter, and was appointed a rosh yeshiva of [[Hebrew Theological College|Beis Midrash LeTorah]] in [[Chicago]]. Rabbi Lifshitz was soon accorded immense stature among his fellow rabbis, his students and the rest of the Chicago community. His reputation as an outstanding rosh yeshiva spread throughout America and he received offers for several positions. He accepted the invitation of Rabbi [[Samuel Belkin]] and in 1944, was appointed rosh yeshiva of RIETS in [[New York City|New York]]. There he taught Torah for almost 50 years to thousands of students, many of whom came to be distinctively known as "Reb Dovid’s students". His efforts on behalf of the community were numerous. He served as a member of the presidium of the [[Agudas HaRabbonim]] of America and Canada for many years. During the final 17 years of his life, he served as president of [[Ezras Torah Fund|Ezras Torah]].<ref name="Ezras Torah">{{cite web
In 1941, Lifshitz reached America along with his wife and daughter, and was appointed a rosh yeshiva of [[Hebrew Theological College|Beis Midrash LeTorah]] in [[Chicago]]. Lifshitz was soon accorded immense stature among his fellow rabbis, his students and the rest of the Chicago community. His reputation as an outstanding rosh yeshiva spread throughout America and he received offers for several positions. He accepted the invitation of Rabbi [[Samuel Belkin]] and in 1944, was appointed rosh yeshiva of RIETS in New York City. There he taught Torah for almost 50 years to thousands of students, many of whom came to be distinctively known as "Reb Dovid's students". His efforts on behalf of the community were numerous. He served as a member of the presidium of the [[Agudas HaRabbonim]] of America and Canada for many years.<ref name=DLif.NYT93/>

| last =
⚫
His discourses in Jewish concepts such as ''[[chochma]]'' and ''[[Jewish ethics|mussar]]'' were compiled and published by his students and given the title "Tehillah LeDovid". His lectures on the Talmud were also published as "Shiurei Rav Dovid Lifshitz".
| first =

| year =
==Ezras Torah==
⚫
| url = http://www.ezrastorah.org/about_us.php
| title = Ezras Torah About Us Page
{{Main|Ezras Torah Fund}}
Lifshitz served as president of [[Ezras Torah Fund|Ezras Torah]], an international relief fund,<ref name=DLif.NYT93>{{cite news
⚫
| accessdate = June 16, 2013
|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]
| curly =
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/29/obituaries/rabbi-dovid-lifshitz-86-scholar-of-talmud-at-yeshiva-university.html
⚫
}}</ref> His discourses in Jewish concepts such as [[Chochma]] and [[Ethics|Mussar]] were compiled and published by his students and given the title "Tehillah LeDovid". His lectures on the Talmud were also published as "Shiurei Rav Dovid Lifshitz".
|title=Rabbi Dovid Lifshitz, 86, Scholar Of Talmud at Yeshiva University
|author=Ari L. Goldman |date=June 29, 1993}}</ref> during the final 17 years of his life.<ref name="Ezras Torah">{{cite web
⚫
|url = http://www.ezrastorah.org/about_us.php
|title = Ezras Torah About Us Page
⚫
|accessdate = June 16, 2013}}</ref>

==Family==
A daughter was murdered as an infant in 1941. Lifshitz is survived by his wife, three daughters, "16 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren."<ref name=DLif.NYT93/>


==Publications==
==Publications==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.yutorah.org/bio.cfm/80117/Rabbi_Dovid_Lifshitz YU Torah Online Biography]
*[http://www.yutorah.org/bio.cfm/80117/Rabbi_Dovid_Lifshitz YU Torah Online Biography]
*[http://www.aishdas.org/asp/2007/06/rebbe.shtml Rabbi Lifshitz: An Intimate Portrait]
*[http://www.aishdas.org/asp/2007/06/rebbe.shtml Rabbi Lifshitz: An Intimate Portrait] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221074402/http://www.aishdas.org/asp/2007/06/rebbe.shtml |date=2013-02-21 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160405163815/http://www.sztetl.org.pl/en/article/suwalki/16,accounts-memories/17422,chaya-waxman-born-1943-about-fate-of-herself-and-parents-before-and-during-ww2-in-suwalki-and-united-states/?action=viewtable Recollections and photos from Rabbi Lifshitz's daughter Chaya Waxman]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160405163815/http://www.sztetl.org.pl/en/article/suwalki/16,accounts-memories/17422,chaya-waxman-born-1943-about-fate-of-herself-and-parents-before-and-during-ww2-in-suwalki-and-united-states/?action=viewtable Recollections and photos from Rabbi Lifshitz's daughter Chaya Waxman]
*[https://archives.yu.edu/xtf/view?docId=ead/davidlifshitz/davidlifshitz.xml&chunk.id=&toc.depth=1&toc.id=&brand=default Guide to the Rabbi Dovid Lifshitz Papers], Yeshiva University Archives


{{YU Roshei Yeshiva}}
{{YU Roshei Yeshiva}}
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[[Category:Yeshiva University rosh yeshivas]]
[[Category:Yeshiva University rosh yeshivas]]
[[Category:Hebrew Theological College rosh yeshivas]]
[[Category:Hebrew Theological College rosh yeshivas]]
[[Category:Mir Yeshiva alumni]]
[[Category:Burials at Har HaMenuchot]]

Latest revision as of 00:19, 18 July 2024

Rabbi
Dovid Lifshitz
Personal
Born1906
Minsk
DiedJune 28, 1993
New York City
ReligionJudaism
NationalityAshkenazi
SpouseTzipporah Chava Yoselowitz
ChildrenChaya Waxman, Shulamith Kaminetsky, Sara Stein[1]
DenominationOrthodox
PositionRosh Yeshiva
YeshivaRIETS
PositionPresident
OrganisationEzras Torah
BuriedIsrael

Dovid Lifshitz (1906–1993) was a distinguished Ashkenazi Rosh yeshiva in the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) for almost fifty years. He was appointed upon the invitation of Rabbi Samuel Belkin in 1944. He was also known as the "Suvalker Rav", due to his previous position as the Rabbi of the European town of Suvalk, which he maintained until its capture by the Nazis in 1940. Some of his lectures on the Talmud were later compiled and published as "Shiurei Rav Dovid Lifshitz".

Early years

[edit]

Dovid Lifshitz was born in Minsk, then Imperial Russia in 1906 to Yaakov Aryeh and Ittel Lifshitz. His paternal grandfather, Shlomo Zalman Lifshitz, was a businessman in Grodno as well as a distinguished Talmudic scholar, who authored the Olas Shlomo.[2] He attended cheder together with Avraham Even-Shoshan, where they learned Hebrew and Hebrew grammar from Avraham's father, who was the teacher. In 1919, his family moved to Grodno, where he was a foremost student of the famed Rabbi Shimon Shkop in the Grodno Yeshiva (Shaar Hatorah). He later studied in the Mir yeshiva, staying until 1932, receiving semicha and becoming well known as an outstanding scholar. In 1933, he married Tzipporah Chava Yoselowitz, the daughter of the renowned rabbi of Suvalk, Yosef Yoselowitz. Upon the death of his father-in-law in 1935, Lifshitz became chief rabbi of the important city and its 27 congregations, where he developed a reputation as a warm and involved spiritual leader, concerned with all Jews. He remained in Suvalk until the Nazis captured the city in 1940.

Relocation to America

[edit]

In 1941, Lifshitz reached America along with his wife and daughter, and was appointed a rosh yeshiva of Beis Midrash LeTorah in Chicago. Lifshitz was soon accorded immense stature among his fellow rabbis, his students and the rest of the Chicago community. His reputation as an outstanding rosh yeshiva spread throughout America and he received offers for several positions. He accepted the invitation of Rabbi Samuel Belkin and in 1944, was appointed rosh yeshiva of RIETS in New York City. There he taught Torah for almost 50 years to thousands of students, many of whom came to be distinctively known as "Reb Dovid's students". His efforts on behalf of the community were numerous. He served as a member of the presidium of the Agudas HaRabbonim of America and Canada for many years.[3]

His discourses in Jewish concepts such as chochma and mussar were compiled and published by his students and given the title "Tehillah LeDovid". His lectures on the Talmud were also published as "Shiurei Rav Dovid Lifshitz".

Ezras Torah

[edit]
Main article: Ezras Torah Fund

Lifshitz served as president of Ezras Torah, an international relief fund,[3] during the final 17 years of his life.[4]

Family

[edit]

A daughter was murdered as an infant in 1941. Lifshitz is survived by his wife, three daughters, "16 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren."[3]

Publications

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Goldman, Ari L. (June 29, 1993). "New York Times Obituary". The New York Times. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  2. ^ Abraham, Dovid (2013). "Rav Dovid Lifshitz zt"l The Suvalker Rov and Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchok Elchonon" (PDF). Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Ari L. Goldman (June 29, 1993). "Rabbi Dovid Lifshitz, 86, Scholar Of Talmud at Yeshiva University". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "Ezras Torah About Us Page". Retrieved June 16, 2013.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dovid_Lifshitz&oldid=1235166494"