The Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Aharon Rumpler zt"l Has Passed Away; One of the Giants of the Generation and Among the First to Stand by the Side of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a

Baruch Dayan HaEmet (Blessed is the True Judge). The Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Aharon Tzvi Rumpler zt"l (of blessed memory), the Av Beis Din (Head of the Rabbinical Court) and Rabbi of the 'Tehillos Yisrael' community in Jerusalem, has passed away at the age of 65. The funeral procession will take place today, Monday of Parshas Toldos 5780, at 12:00 PM, departing from his Beis Medrash (study hall) in Jerusalem.

Recently, Rabbi Rumpler's condition deteriorated as he suffered from muscle atrophy, and he was almost unable to eat. His many students organized prayer shifts at his Beis Medrash on 17 Yitzchak Napcha Street in the Geula neighborhood of Jerusalem for the complete healing (refuah sheleimah) of Rabbi Aharon Tzvi ben Yocheved, but the decree was sealed, and he returned his soul to its Creator.   Rabbi Rumpler was the son-in-law of the Admor (Chassidic Rebbe) Rabbi Moshe of Kiviyashd zt"l from Williamsburg and lived in the USA after his marriage. Following his wedding, young married men (avreichim) gathered around him, and he began to influence them in the service of Hashem (God); it was there that he also began to establish his community. Over the years, he moved to Jerusalem, where he stood guard over the sanctity of the Jewish people, particularly involving himself extensively in matters of tzniut (modesty).

He was a great expert in matters of education, and many great figures from all communities and circles consulted with him. Roshei Yeshivas (heads of academies) from all over the world sent him their questions on complex matters. He worked tirelessly for the sanctity of Israel and was the "central bolt" (a mainstay) in the systems of Torah education and religion. His many classes were delivered over long hours, and Rabbi Aharon Tzvi maintained a Kollel (institute for advanced Torah study) of "Bnei Aliyah" (spiritually elevated men) so they could pray with him at a deliberate, unhurried pace.

He left behind many students, including rabbis, Roshei Yeshivas, and Mashpi'im (spiritual mentors) from all communities and circles, who were deeply attached to him and did not make a move without seeking his counsel. Additionally, he served as a famous and prominent Mohel (circumciser), through whose hands many babies were circumcised, as many sought for him to perform the Bris (circumcision) for their sons.

Rabbi Rumpler zt"l was among the first to stand by the side of our teacher, the holy Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, when the severe persecution against him began. This was even before it became clear that several interested parties were agitating the atmosphere and trying to sweep a large public along with them. However, even then, Rabbi Rumpler recognized that the entire persecution against Rabbi Berland shlit"a was based on a web of lies stemming from jealousy.

At the opening of the vigorous protest letter he wrote, which was signed by additional rabbis, Rabbi Rumpler cited the words of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law): "Anyone who disparages Torah scholars has no portion in the World to Come, and is included in the verse, 'Because he has despised the word of Hashem... that soul shall be utterly cut off,' etc." (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 243:6).

Rabbi Rumpler titled the letter "A Vigorous Protest," and it was published as early as the eve of Passover 5773 (2013). This is the opening of the letter: "We are shocked and pained with trembling hearts over the terrible rumors circulating among us regarding things that are not even possible, that should not enter the mind—delusional and disconnected from any basis in reality—which unworthy individuals dare, in their insolence and coarseness of heart, to open their mouths full of arrogance against the holiness of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. He is a true Torah scholar (Talmid Chacham), one of the giants of the generation, who has nothing in his world except Torah, prayer, holiness, abstinence, merit-granting to the public, and self-sacrifice (mesirus nefesh) for every Jew, whoever they may be. Woe to those who permit the spilling of this Tzaddik's blood in public—the guide of thousands of his students and those who hear his teachings, all of whom are God-fearing and wholesome, and many of whom have been saved in the merit of his prayers. Woe to us that such a thing has happened in our days, that an evil and cursed culture has risen and stood like Korach and his assembly to open their mouths against a holy man of God, an angel of Hashem Tzevaot, who has turned many back from iniquity and to whom no sin has come at all. It is evident that these are lies and false accusations by wicked and cursed instigators of conflict who are trying to cast aspersions on the Rav shlit"a. Regarding them it is said, 'Anyone who disparages a Torah scholar has no cure for his wound' (Shabbat 119), and they have no portion in the World to Come, like the law of an Epicurean (heretic) and one who reveals faces in the Torah (interprets it falsely) (Sanhedrin 99b), and they require excommunication (nidui) according to the law of one who disparages a scholar (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 334:43)."

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