On January 6, 2008 / 28 Teves 5768, the Jewish world lost one its great Torah sages, HaRav Shmuel Birnbaum, zt”l, the Rosh HaYeshiva of the Mir Yeshiva in New York City. Mayor Michael Bloomberg made the following statement upon the news of the Rosh HaYeshiva’s death.
Today we lost Rabbi Shmuel Birnbaum, who led the Mir Yeshiva for nearly 50 years and built it into one of the largest centers for Torah study in the world. A Holocaust refugee who, as a young man, sought shelter in Shanghai from Nazi persecution, Rabbi Birnbaum’s love of learning and wealth of wisdom will live on through his tens of thousands of students worldwide. May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff, shlit”a is considered one of his primary disciples. He participated in the tahara and burial in Israel. He is the current rabbi at Congregation Bais Yisroel in Minneapolis, MN. Three weeks ago he delivered the follow eulogy at Yeshiva Beis Moshe (Scranton Yeshiva). He is speaking in English, although very “Yeshivish.” His ideas are moving and very profoud.
To listen, click the Flash player below.
[audio:Eulogy for Rav Shmuel Birnbaum.mp3]