In an age of migration, Rav Shlomo Nosson Kotler (1856–1945) seemed to have been everywhere
Lomza, Birzh, Slabodka, Telz. Uzhvent, Kurshan, Luknik. Kovno, New York, Detroit, and Yerushalayim.
In an age of migration, Rav Shlomo Nosson Kotler (1856–1945) seemed to have been everywhere. Incredible as it may seem, Rav Kotler had the singular distinction of being the first appointed rosh yeshivah in both Slabodka, Lithuania, and RIETS on the Lower East Side. In addition, he served as an early rosh yeshivah in Lomza and Telz.
Having grown up in Kovno, he was a student first of Rav Eliezer Gordon, the future rosh yeshivah of Telz; and then of Rav Yaakov Yosef, future chief rabbi of New York City. He received rabbinical ordination from his two rebbeim, as well as from Rav Yitzchok Elchonon Spektor and Rav Yosef Zechariah Stern. Following stints in the yeshivos of Lomza and Birzh, he joined the prestigious Kovno Kollel. It was in this capacity that he began delivering shiurim in the newly formed yeshivah in Slabodka for a short time, soon after its founding in 1882. His reputation was such that Rav Leizer Gordon referred to him as “the Ketzos Hachoshen of our generation,” and would send his students to speak with him in learning.
After Rav Kotler had served several years in his first rabbinical position in the town of Uzhvent, Rav Yaakov Yosef (the Rav Hakollel) prevailed upon him to become his assistant in the New York rabbinate. Rav Shlomo Nosson served at the helm of the Tiferes Yerushalayim shul for three years until the founding of RIETS in 1896, when he was appointed its first rosh yeshivah.
Create a free account to keep reading.
