Rabbi Nachum Shainin, Former Tel Aviv Rabbinical Court Head and Great Rabbinical Court Member, Dies at 89

Baruch Dayan HaEmet: Rabbi Nachum Shainin zt"l, a member of the Great Rabbinical Court and former head of the Tel Aviv regional rabbinical court, has died at the age of 89. The late Rabbi Shainin zt"l was born to his father, the righteous rabbi Menachem Mendel Shainin zt"l, the spiritual supervisor of Yeshivat Rehovot, who was among the greatest diligent scholars at Yeshivat Chevron in the city of Hebron and one of the close disciples of the "Saba of Slabodka," Rabbi Natan Tzvi Finkel zt"l, and to his mother, Mrs. Tzipora a"h. In his youth he studied at Yeshivat Or Israel in Petah Tikva, and later entered the halls of Yeshivat Ponevezh, where he became beloved by his teachers, the heads of the yeshiva, led by the Ponevezher Rav, Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman zt"l, who held him in very high esteem.

During his years of study in the yeshiva, he formed a special bond with his teacher and mentor, the leader of the Haredi world, Rabbi Elazar Menachem Man Shach, of blessed memory. Throughout the years, he never strayed from his side and would visit his home at every opportunity to consult him on every matter and issue, with Rabbi Shach responding to him with love for his love and honoring him greatly. Upon reaching marriageable age, he married his wife, Rabbi Tova (Gitl) a"h, daughter of the righteous Rabbi Hillel Cohen zt"l, one of Jerusalem's foremost Torah scholars. His wife passed away before him on 30 Sivan 5780.

After his marriage, he established his home in Bnei Brak, with his wife standing at his side with exceptional devotion so that he could continue to toil in Torah and worship. After several years, he was appointed head of the Tel Aviv regional rabbinical court, where he served until 5767. Beginning in 5768, he served as a member and judge on the Great Rabbinical Court, and his name was acclaimed as that of a judge who penetrated to the depths of the law with special wisdom and insight, and who was not intimidated by anyone. Over the years he also served as head of the Torat Tov Yeshiva and as rabbi of the Hekhal Moshe Yitzchak synagogue in Bnei Brak, where he taught Torah and awe of Heaven to his students with charm and kindness on his lips, laboring with all his heart for each and every member of the kollel and the synagogue congregants.

He was privileged to leave behind a blessed generation of upright descendants, including his son, Rabbi Avraham Shainin. Thirty years ago, he suffered the loss of his daughter a"h and accepted the divine decree with love. His younger brother is Rabbi Yosef Shainin, the rabbi of Ashdod. The funeral procession left today at 3:30 p.m. from his study hall on Baal Shem Tov Street 16 in Bnei Brak, for the cemetery of the Ponevezh yeshiva trustees, where he will be laid to rest. May his soul be bound up in the bond of life.