The Torah world of Petach Tikvah is mourning the petirah of Rav Hillel Yosef Meltzer zt”l, one of the city’s prominent talmidei chachomim and marbitzei Torah, who was niftar at the age of 57 after a prolonged illness involving serious kidney complications. In recent weeks, he had been connected to an ECMO machine as his condition worsened.
Rav Meltzer was a son of HaGaon Rav Shmaryahu Meltzer.
From a young age, he distinguished himself as a tremendous masmid and talmid chochom. He learned in the Brisk Yeshiva in Yerushalayim and later continued in Yeshivas Chevron, where he quickly became known as an illui and one of the most diligent bachurim in the yeshiva.
Even in his youth, he was an oveid Hashem, a tzaddik, and a parush, removed from worldly distractions.
Twenty-two years ago, he married the daughter of Rav Shmuel Eldad zt”l, a member of one of Petach Tikvah’s long-standing Torah families.
Throughout his life, Rav Meltzer maintained close ties with many of the gedolei hador, and as a young man was even privileged to speak in learning with the Steipler Gaon.
Rav Meltzer served as a R”M at the yeshiva in Kiryat Herzog and, in recent years, as the rosh kollel of Kollel Tiferes V’Hanetzach, located in Beis Medrash Chevron Heichal Yechezkel in Petach Tikvah. There, he delivered deep and penetrating shiurim that attracted many bnei Torah.
He was an expert in all areas of Torah, including penimiyus haTorah and machshavah, and was sought after by many who came to consult with him in halachah, aggadah, and hashkafah.
For many years, he delivered shiurim at the Beis HaMussar of Petach Tikvah, established by the great baalei mussar of the previous generation, including Rav Yechiel Mordechai Gordon zt”l, Rosh Yeshivas Lomza.
Despite years of suffering and medical challenges, Rav Meltzer never ceased his toil in Torah. Even during grueling dialysis treatments, he would return to the beis medrash to learn with all his strength. He could often be seen walking the streets immersed in thought, quietly reviewing seforim such as Chovos Halevavos, which he knew entirely by heart, word for word.
Rav Meltzer is survived by his wife, Mrs. Esther Meltzer, and six unmarried children, the youngest of whom is just ten years old.
The levayah was held tonight at Yeshivas Lomza in Petach Tikvah, followed by kevurah at the Segulah Bais Hachaim.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}