It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Moshe Yechiel Halevi Tzuriel zt”l. He was 85.
Born in Germany, he migrated with his family to the United States during his childhood. He learned at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, under the rosh yeshiva Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman, and received semicha.
He attended Loyola University in Baltimore, earning a master’s degree in educational psychology. He subsequently served as a community rov in Delaware.
Later, he relocated to Yerushalayim and spent a year studying at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav. He then returned abroad to complete his studies at university. Upon his return to Eretz Yisroel, he studied at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav and later at Kollel Chazon Ish, learning alongside gedolei Yisroel. He taught in high schools in Chadera and at Yeshivat Nachalim.
He married his wife, Rebbetzin Rachel, daughter of Rabbi Avraham Fruchter.
For eighteen years, Rav Tzuriel served as mashgiach at Yeshivat Sha’alavim. In the mid-90s, he taught at Yeshivat Torat HaChaim, during its pioneering years in Gush Katif, and afterward when it relocated near Binyamin.
Rav Tzuriel authored no less than 49 seforim spanning various Torah disciplines. His first halachic work, “Beis Yechezkel,” received approbations from Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman and Rav Ovadiah Yosef.
In his final years, Rav Tzuriel moved to Eretz Yisroel and settled in Bnei Brak.
He is survived by his family, including his son, Rav Avraham Tzuriel, who serves as the rov of Neve Tzion.
The levayah was held overnight at 13 Beit Hillel Street in Bnei Brak, following by kevurah at the bais hachaim in Elad.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}