In Tribute to Reb Shlomo Cheshin ztz”l
Early last Tuesday, the Jewish nation lost a giant, Reb Shlomo Cheshin ztz”l, a tzaddik I was privileged to know since my youth. It is with a broken heart and tear-filled eyes that I write these words of tribute and reflection about this singular figure.
It is unknown exactly how many men and women Reb Shlomo Cheshin comforted and encouraged, talked out of marrying non-Jews, convinced to start keeping Shabbos, helped extricate from the depths of addiction, and coaxed back from the brink of suicide. But the impact of this special Jew from Jerusalem, whose influence was felt in communities throughout the world, is greater than any of us can begin to imagine.
Reb Shlomo was the son of Rav Binyamin Zev (Velvel) Cheshin, one of the leading lights in the Breslover chassidus of the previous generation, and a close student of Rav Nochum Partzovitz, rosh yeshivah of the Mir. These cherished relationships enabled him to bridge the elite societies of two very different worlds. Although his heart was firmly planted in the warmth and avodah of Breslover chassidus, Yeshivas Mir was his second home. Along with his brothers (one of whom, Reb Tzvi is still a legendary fixture in the yeshivah), Reb Shlomo nullified himself to Reb Nochum and flourished in the yeshivah. It was only natural that he would fulfill his destined role there.
Create a free account to keep reading.
