It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Shapiro zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Shaarei Shemuos in Beit Chilkia and son of Rav Moshe Shmuel Shapiro zt”l. He was 69.
He was niftar at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer on Shabbos.
Rav Shapiro was a son of Rav Moshe Shmuel Shapiro zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Be’er Yaakov, and Rebbetzin Chaya Faiga Tziporah Shapiro a”h, daughter of Rav Aharon Weinstein zt”l.
At his bris, he was named Naftali Tzvi Yehuda after his grandfather, the Netziv of Volozhin.
He learned under his father, Rav Moshe Shmuel, at Be’er Yaakov, where he was renowned for his scholarship and hasmadah.
Even from a young age, his outstanding kochos were evident, excelling in limud haTorah with diligence, and his exemplary middos.
He was later sent by his father to learn at Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood, where he learned under the rosh yeshiva, Rav Shneur Kotler zt”l.
He married his wife, Rebbetzin Rivka, daughter of Rav Bentzion Neuman zt”l, one of the prominent marbitzei Torah of the Slabodka Yeshiva.
After his marriage, he continued his learning at Be’er Yaakov Yeshiva.
He was proficient in Kabbalah, and many sought his counsel on various matters.
With the establishment of the Shaarei Shemuos Yeshiva in Beit Chilkia about 15 years ago, he assumed leadership alongside his cousin, Rav Aryeh Shapiro zt”l, teaching Torah and inspiring his talmidim.
In recent years, he published the seforim ‘Beis Sha’arim’, which includes shiurim he delivered at his yeshiva.
His father, who trusted him implicitly, passed on to him the tradition regarding the usage of the Goral HaGra, and he utilized it when necessary, doing so with modesty and discretion. He was also known for his brachos, and many sought his brachos for yeshuos.
He leaves behind his wife, Rebbetzin Rivka, who stood by his side with utmost dedication throughout his life, and his children and grandchildren.
His siblings are Rav Dovid Yitzchak Shapiro, rosh yeshiva of the Be’er Yaakov Yeshiva; Rav Menachem Mendel, Rav Yaakov, Rav Aharon, Rav Aryeh, Rebbetzin Minna Golda Shapiro and Rebbetzin Nechama Rivka Shimon.
The levayah was held tonight at the Shaarei Shemuos Yeshiva in Beit Chilkia, followed by kevurah at the Ponovezh Bais Hachaim in Bnei Brak.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}