Rabbi Avraham Wolfson ZT”L – שומר פיו ולשונו

אחר מיטתו של הגאון רבי אברהם וולפסון זצ”ל

This week, the world of Torah lost one of its greatest supporters and admirers, with the passing of Rabbi Avraham Wolfson ztl.

Rabbi Avraham ztl was known to many for his charity deeds and for many acts of kindness, but we will focus on the less famous sides.

A long-standing relationship existed between Rabbi Avraham ztl and Maran Sar Hatorah Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky שיבדלחט”א. Rabbi Avraham ztl would come many times to Eretz Yisroel even for a few hours just to ask a question to Gedolei Yisroel. He would not deviate from their guidance, and as he was told – he would act.

Everyone knows about the many Tzedakos he has given, especially to support Torah, and establish and maintain קירוב רחוקים and the Ba’alei T’shuvah movement.

But what is not so well known is that beyond the supporting of Torah, Rabbi Avraham ztl was a true Torah follower, and a Torah learner with love for Torah. Many prominent and wealthy Torah supporters take upon themselves a cause that is close to their heart, whether it is widows or orphans, whether it is the study of Halachah or supporting Kollelim, and proceed to support that cause.

Rabbi Avraham’s cause was “שמירת הלשון”. He invested all his efforts and energy in strengthening the study of the Sefer Chafetz Chaim and preserving Shmiras Halashon. One might perceive that Rabbi Avraham only gave financial support for this important cause, but that is not the case! He studied and deepened, asked and renewed, and learned it like a כצורבא דרבנן, and even negotiated on these matters with Maran Sar HaTorah Shlita.

From time to time, he would come in to to consult with Rav Chaim Shlita on decisions and on the doubts that he had. Quite a few questions dealt with קדימה in Tzedakah, who to give first and so on. He gave to Tzedakah very significant amounts and asked not to name the amounts as long as there was no need to elaborate on the exact sums.

Maran Sar Hatorah Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky Shlita always appreciated him and received him with great hospitality, and heard at length his questions and doubts, and decided on every question he had.

כל זאת חסרנו ודאבה נפשנו, ויעמדו לו מעשיו הטובים וילכו לפניו בעולם האמת, עד יבוא גואל ונראה בנחמת ציון וירושלים.