It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Zev Volf Shapiro zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Beis Meir in Bnei Brak. He was 83.
In recent months, Rav Shapira battled a serious illness but continued delivering his daily shiurim with dedication. In recent weeks, he was hospitalized at Maayanei HaYeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak due to a severe infection. He was niftar on on Erev Shabbos Kodesh, Parshas Miketz—Shabbos Chanukah.
The levayah was held earlier tonight at Yeshivas Beis Meir on Devorah HaNeviah Street in Bnei Brak, proceeding for kevurah to the Ponevezh bais hachaim.
Rav Shapiro was born in Yerushalayim to his illustrious father, Rav Eliyahu Chaim Shapiro zt”l and Rebbetzin Chana Rashe.
Rav Shapiro’s lineage connected him to some of the greatest Torah luminaries. As a child, he often davened alongside his relative, the Brisker Rav, Rav Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik zt”l.
As a bochur, he was among the first talmidim of Rav Meshulam Dovid Halevi Soloveitchik zt”l in Brisk. He was one of the three founding talmidim of Rav Dovid’s yeshiva, forging a lifelong bond with his revered rebbi. Rav Shapiro was a devoted member of the Brisk chaburah in Bnei Brak and would travel regularly to hear Rav Dovid’s shiurim.
Upon reaching marriageable age, Rav Shapiro married Rebbetzin Yehudis, daughter of Rav Zalman Rotberg zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Meir and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. Together, they built their home on Rechov Rashbam in Bnei Brak, raising a family dedicated to Torah and yiras shamayim.
Rav Shapiro’s rebbi, Rav Dovid Soloveitchik, held him in high esteem, writing a glowing recommendation for him decades ago to serve as a maggid shiur. The recommendation described Rav Shapira in the loftiest terms, even as a young avreich.
Over the years, his father-in-law appointed him as a maggid shiur at Beis Meir, where he taught Torah and instilled yiras shamayim in countless talmidim for decades. In addition to his daily shiurim, he also delivered a special chaburah at his home on Kodshim.
Rav Shapiro authored the seforim Orach Meisharim on Bava Basra, Pesachim, Sukkah, and Makkos, as well as Niflaos MiTorasecha al haTorah.
His avodas Hashem was meticulous in every aspect. His kavana during Shema Yisrael was awe-inspiring. His tefillos became legendary.
Rav Shapiro leaves behind 12 children, among them his son, Rav Tuvia Shapira, a Rosh Yeshiva at Beis Medrash Elyon in Bnei Brak.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}