it is with great sadness that Matzav.comreports the petirah of Rav Zev Berlin zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Ga’on Yaakov in Bnei Brak. He was 83.
Despite efforts to revive him at home, and the tefillos of his family and thousands of his talmidim, his neshamah returned to its Creator.
The levayah was held today at his home on Techov Rashbam 11. From there, the aron was carried to Yeshiva Gaon Yaakov. Hespedim cotninued at the Ponovezher Bais Hachaim, where he was buried.
Rav Zev was born in Yerushalayim on the 12th of Teves, 1942, to his father, Rav Chaim Berlin, and his mother, Mrs. Rochel Berlin. His father, Rav Chaim, was a close talmid of the Brisker Rov.
At his bris, he was named Zev after his grandfather, Rav Zev Shachor. As a child, he spent much time in the presence of Maran Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, and he would often perform tasks for him.
In his youth, Rav Zev studied at Yeshivas Brisk under the guidance of the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Berel Soloveitchik. In 1960, when Rav Dovid Soloveitchik opened his own yeshiva, Rav Zev was among the first seven talmidim to learn there.
In 1965, he married Rebbetzin Rachel Dvora Berlin daughter of Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman. Together with his wife, who supported him in all matters, they established their home in Bnei Brak. Rav Zev joined the Ponovezh Kollel, where he immersed himself in learning.
In Elul 1978, Rav Zev founded Yeshivas Ga’on Yaakov in Bnei Brak, alongside his father-in-law, Rav Shteinman. Since its inception, the yeshiva has educated thousands of talmidim in the ways of Torah. In his shiurim, Rav Zev focused on the deep understanding of pshat, blending the method of yeshiva learning with the sharpness of the Brisker derech.
In addition to his regular shiurim, Rav Zev would give a weekly Chumash shiur on Friday nights, incorporating lessons of hashkafa, following the tradition of Brisk. During the summer months, he would also give a shiur on Sefer Minchas Chinuch. These shiurim were attended by many gedolei Torah, including at different points Rav Chaim Kanievsky and Rav Yisroel Eliyahu Weintraub.
His shiurim were compiled into the seforim Peirurei MiShulchan Gavoha.
In recent years, Rav Zev inaugurated the new bais medrash of his yeshiva in Bnei Brak, which was named “Heichal Rabbeinu Aharon Leib” after his father in law.
He leaves behind generations of bnei and bnos Torah who follow in his ways.
Yehi zichro boruch.

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