Ponevezh Yeshiva leaders in Bnei Brak have issued an urgent appeal after the serious medical condition of Rabbi Chaim Brman, described as one of the great long-serving scholars of the yeshiva and a central figure there for more than 70 years. They say his absence has created a painful void in the yeshiva and that he is the “living Torah scroll” of the hilltop campus.
In the unusual letter, the rabbis call on students and alumni to intensify prayers and spiritual commitments for the recovery of Rabbi Chaim ben Rasha Reizel, whom they call a “righteous man” and a source of strength for the institution. They wrote that “the honor has been taken from our house” and asked the public to pray and plead before God for his healing.
The letter says Brman has been one of the yeshiva’s defining presences since his youth, noted for extraordinary discipline, consistent attendance, and unwavering adherence to the daily study schedule. The rabbis added that the loss is felt because the students are no longer strengthened by his constant example.
As a practical response, the leadership asked every student to accept a spiritual improvement and, at minimum, begin study 15 minutes earlier each day in one of the daily sessions. They said this collective strengthening, along with prayer, would serve as a merit for his recovery, and ended by urging people to continue praying for a complete healing among all the sick of Israel.
