it is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Elimelech Chaikin zt”l, one of the prominent chashuvim of Kollel Ponovezh in Bnei Brak, after a recent illness. He was 73.
Rav Elimelech was born in France, a son of Rav Chaim Yitzchok Chaikin, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Chachmei Tzorfas in Ex-Les-Bains, who dedicated over fifty years to harbotzas haTorah.
Rav Elimelech later immigrated to Eretz Yisroel and learned at Ponovezh Yeshiva, where he became closely attached to his rebbi and moreh derech, Maran Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach. He also became closely attached to the Steipler Gaon.
Upon reaching marriageable age, he married his wife, a daughter of Rav Raphael Shmuel Yaakov Roz.
After his marriage, he continued to learn at Kollel Ponovezh, where he became one of the prominent and distinguished talmidei chachomim, learning at the yeshiva for over fifty years and maintaining a close relationship with Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman.
He was among the regular attendees of the Lederman Bais Medrash.
At Ponovezh, he was a symbol and exemplar of ahavas haTorah and dedication to Torah, and impeccable ahavas habriyos and bein adam lachaveiro.
He leaves behind an outstanding family, sons and daughters and grandchildren who follow in his path.
The kevurah was held tonight at the Ponovezh Bais Hachaim in Bnei Brak.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}