The week before Pesach is perhaps the he fixed the community mikvah, which was busiest week for Jewish households across the in disrepair, and was an active member of globe, as families scramble to prepare for Yom the Rabbinical Council of America. Now Tov. Shopping, cleaning, kashering and cooking retired and living in Flatbush, he always consume every waking moment, as people race credited his success to his late wife, Reb- against the fast-ticking clock. And yet, this betzin Hilda Sharfman, whose stability year, in the South Florida community, as well as a public school teacher enabled her as others across the globe, time seemed to husband to pursue his dream in the rab- stand still as hundreds of people stopped bonus. everything they were doing that week to Growing up in a family of rab- beseech the Rofeh Cholim, the Healer of bonim and klei kodesh, from a young the Sick, to heal the beloved and revered age, R’ Duvie, as Rabbi Sharfman was mashgiach of Yeshiva Toras Chaim Toras affectionately known, appreciated the Emes, Rav Dovid Sharfman. importance of being marbitz Torah, of When the news first spread that Rabbi teaching and spreading Hashem’s Torah, Sharfman was hospitalized following the wed- and would eagerly await his turn to do so ding of his son, the initial reaction of shock as well. In fact, as a young boy, R’ Duvie’s quickly turned into a collective desire to help. leadership abilities, as well as his tremen- Everyone desperately wanted to do something dous care for each individual, were already for a man who did everything for everyone. And apparent, earning him the respect of his do something they did. Tehillim was said around family, his friends, and his teachers. He was the clock, with the entire Sefer Tehillim collective- well-liked by all and was a model student at ly completed well over 100 times both locally and Yeshiva Toras Emes Kaminetz in Brooklyn. around the world. His long-time classmate and dear friend, Mr. Numerous sedorim during bein hazemanim were Michael Schick, fondly recalls how R’ Duvie did learned in his zechus. Daily asifos were arranged at not have a single mean bone in his body. His sisters Yeshiva Toras Chaim Toras Emes and the North Miami cannot recall his parents ever needing to reprimand him. Beach Community Kollel, as was a nightly women’s He just always seemed to know what the right thing to Tehillim teleconference organized by Bais Yaakov of do in every situation was. His natural leadership skills Miami. Thousands of dollars were donated to various made him a popular leader in high school and contrib- tzedakah organizations. Numerous shiurim, days of uted to his many successful years in Camp Munk. In ad- learning, and divrei Torah were sponsored. A commu- A Mashgiach, dition, his brilliance was already recognized as president nity-wide tinokos shel bais rabbon asifa at the North of the Honor Society, Arista. Miami Beach Community Kollel was overcrowded, as Tragically, at the young age of eleven, he lost his young boys added their tefillos to the hundreds of others mother. Two of his sisters were already married at the storming the Shaarei Shomayim. Talmidim, both past a Father time, and his third sister married shortly thereafter, leav- and present, organized three straight nights of round- ing him without any mother figure in his home until his the-clock learning. father remarried three years later. Yet, even this tragedy Many of his talmidim recalled how Rabbi Sharfman did not get him down. His simchas hachaim and positiv- encouraged them to make even small kabbalos (resolu- and a Friend ity helped him pull through a very trying situation, and tions) to enable growth, and they challenged people to he never complained or questioned Hashem’s ways. Ev- accept upon themselves kabbalos as a zechus for a re- ery year, on his mother’s yahrtzeit during the Nine Days, fuah shelaimah for Rabbi Sharfman. The response was he would make a siyum in her memory at Camp Munk. overwhelming. Many committed to increasing their Following high school, R’ Duvie learned at Yeshiva daily learning. A machsom lefi (a commitment to guard A Tribute to Chofetz Chaim in Yerushalayim for a year. He then ad- one’s speech) was quickly organized. Someone began vanced to the main branch of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, to put on tzitzis regularly, and one woman even began to which at that time was in Forest Hills, New York. Under cover her hair. And there were many more. Rav Dovid the guidance of his rebbi, Rav Henach Leibowitz zt”l, An observer from outside the community was so R’ Duvie learned and grew, preparing himself to answer inspired that she remarked, “I don’t know if it’s the his life’s calling and become a teacher of Torah. amazing community you live in, the connection every- It was during this time that he, along with his long- one feels to the yeshiva, or the closeness and greatness Sharfman zt”l time chaver and current rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras of Rabbi Sharfman, but this is mamish unreal, what all Chaim Toras Emes, Rabbi Mordechai Palgon, joined these hundreds of people are doing in his zechus... It’s the first group of bochurim to “branch” in the fledgling absolutely amazing...such a special community.” Upon His Shloshim Yeshiva Toras Chaim of Miami to help strengthen the On Erev Shabbos Hagadol, the eleventh of Nissan, yeshiva and the South Florida community. the special neshamah of Rav Dovid Sharfman returned Rav Akiva Grunblatt, who was the rosh yeshiva to its Maker, leaving his family, his yeshiva, the South By Rabbi and Mrs. Yaakov Kier there at that time, remembers how these outstanding Florida community, and indeed all of Klal Yisroel or- bochurim really put the yeshiva on the local map, earn- phaned. As we approach the shloshim of Rav Boruch ing the respect of numerous families who were then mo- Dovid Aryeh zt”l ben ybl”c Rav Nosson Dov, let tivated to add their support to the still young yeshiva. One such baal habayas was so impressed with these us explore what in fact it was about Rabbi Sharfman His father, Rabbi Benjamin, a well-known rov of boys who helped him make a minyan when he was sit- that caused such an unprecedented outpouring of sup- over forty years, was raised in Newark, NJ, where his ting shivah that he called Rabbi Grunblatt to express his port, and who this great man, whose loss has been felt father served as a shochet. He attended public school gratitude. He exclaimed, “If you are producing boys like so acutely by so many people, in so many places, of so and would go to his father’s slaughterhouse every day to many ages, was. these, you must be doing something right and I want learn with him. This sufficiently prepared him for imme- to be involved!” He subsequently made the initial in- diate acceptance into Mesivta Torah Vodaas. Eventually, His Earlier Years troduction between Mr. and Mrs. Sam Klurman and the he followed his revered rebbi, Rav Dovid Leibowitz yeshiva, which now bears the Klurman name on its north Rabbi Sharfman was born in 1962 to Rabbi Ben- zt”l, when he opened his own yeshiva, Chofetz Chaim, campus, as does its Klurman Elementary School. jamin, sheyichyeh, and Rebbetzin Hilda a”h (née as one of the founding talmidim. He learned there for After returning to Queens, Rabbi Sharfman’s reputa- Weitzman) Sharfman in Brooklyn, New York. As a ben many years until receiving semicha and entering the tion as a baal seichel and baal havana, a man of high zekunim, born twelve years after the youngest of his rabbonus. His first position was as the rabbi of Ridge- intellect and great understanding, continued to spread. A three older sisters, Dovid’s birth was greeted with much wood, Queens, where he remained for over ten years. He chaver of his gratefully remembers the numerous times joy. He was named after his two grandfathers, one a rov then moved to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, serving as rov that R’ Duvie took the time to patiently and thoroughly and the other a shochet. for over thirty years, until he retired. During his tenure, explain what they were learning. “He was a prince: al-

46 YatedNe’eman 9 Iyar 5777 | May 5, 2017 ways generous, gracious and giving of his well and began giving a weekly Chumash moment. remembered his encounter with Rabbi time and insight, with sterling middos and class in the young Jewish community in He loved Yom Tov and never com- Sharfman years before and remarked how a healthy sense of humor.” Aventura. One South American attendee plained about the hectic nature of Pesach he was such a special and important man. In 1988, he married his wife, Shifra recalled how, regardless of where his per- or the heat of the Miami sukkah. And at Rabbi Sharfman would try to share (née Kamin), who shared his dreams and sonal business travels would take him, he the end of each Yom Tov, he would encour- his love of learning with young bar mitz- aspirations. Together, they began to build always made sure to fly back by Tuesday age his family to make sure to carry the vah boys when giving them a sefer as a a home of Torah in Queens, New York. night to attend Rabbi Sharfman’s invigo- lessons learned beyond that one week and gift. With a twinkle in his eyes, he would At the end of his years in kollel, he be- rating shiur. make them last. tell each boy that their gift comes with a gan teaching at Mesivta Chofetz Chaim After four years of this shiur, Rabbi Rabbi Sharfman often stressed to his warranty. If they wore out the sefer, they of Queens and subsequently at Yeshiva Sharfman was asked to begin a Sunday family the importance of derech eretz, of could bring it back for a replacement at Tiferes Yisroel of Brooklyn. Already at morning class for the community in North treating everyone with utmost respect. He any time. this early stage of his career in chinuch, he Miami Beach. His Rise and Learn shiur, urged them not to judge others who may Rabbi Sharfman had a tremendous began to earn a reputation as a caring and which was organized by Mr. Harvey Lich- have been struggling and realize that we love and appreciation for Eretz Yisroel devoted rebbi who easily connected with tman and which he gave for the past nine often do not know the full picture. To him, which he shared with his family and stu- his students. years, was a popular, well-organized, in- this seemed natural, and he instilled this dents. His knowledge of its history, meko- formative and exciting shiur on a halacha middah in his family by example. He had mos kedoshim and kivrei tzaddikim rivaled Answering His Life’s Calling derived from that week’s parsha. For this a kind word for everyone and gave his the most experienced of tour guides. one shiur, his father-in-law, Rabbi Moshe utmost attention to everyone. When his When his family had the opportunity In 1996, the Sharfmans made the big Kamin, stated that Rabbi Sharfman would sons-in-law would visit, he would always to visit Eretz Yisroel, he jumped at the move to North Miami Beach, where Rabbi prepare for ten hours each week. One at- take the time to inquire about their learn- chance to daven Kabbolas Shabbos at the Sharfman became a high school rebbi at tendee, echoing the sentiments of many, ing and chaburos, with a genuine interest Kosel. It was not because it was the “thing” Yeshiva Toras Chaim. The Sharfmans said, “There was nobody else like him in and a desire to know. to do. He simply wanted to truly feel the were very family-oriented, and leaving our community. I could have sat and lis- It was therefore no surprise that ev- experience of living in Eretz Yisroel, dav- their entire family up north to help build tened to him for hours.” eryone gravitated towards him, whether at ening at the holiest of sites, and walking the South Florida community was not Another facet of his involvement was home, at a family simcha, or on a family home through the streets of Yerushalayim. an easy task. However, they must have a Novi shiur that he gave to a group of trip. He enjoyed those events just as much. He took his children to various gedolim, known that this was the opportunity that Sephardi women for several years. Dur- He loved preparing for Chol Hamoed fam- many with whom he shared personal rela- they were waiting for - their chance to ing this time, he would ask his daughters ily trips and actively participated in each tionships, to receive brachos and chizuk. truly make a difference. And what a dif- to confirm with their friends how to pro- activity. His great sense of humor always These were memories he and his family ference they did make. nounce certain words in havara Sepha- added an extra dimension to the fun. Even cherished long after their trip concluded. Over twenty years later, Rav Grun- radit to make sure that the women in his long car rides from Miami to New York Looking back, his family fondly re- blatt still remembers an incident from shiur would understand and feel comfort- turned into an adventure with Rabbi Sharf- members him as the perfect son, caring Rabbi Sharfman’s first year in Miami that able. man. And after any trip, he rushed to print brother, devoted husband and loving fa- perfectly illustrates Rabbi Sharfman’s the pictures to relive the special experi- ther of eight, who in turn was loved and true essence. There was a boy in Rabbi His Beautiful Home ence. In fact, his children remember that respected by all. His brothers-in-law loved Sharfman’s class who would just not be- on one occasion, when printing pictures, him like a brother, and his in-laws viewed have. He made every teacher miserable, Despite his busy life in the yeshiva he noticed that one of his children’s good him as their own pride and joy. Everyone and certainly gave Rabbi Sharfman a run and his involvement in the community, friend was in it, and he made sure to print had a special relationship with him, in- for his money. It came to a point where his family knew that they were always his a second copy for the friend as well. His cluding his extended family of nieces the administration felt that they could no first priority. Whether it meant going to nine-year-old son, Avraham Mordechai, and nephews, each feeling their own longer service this student and convened parent-teacher conferences in the evening, smiled when remembering all the extra personal loss upon his petirah. a meeting to discuss the possibility of ex- playing ball with his sons, or organizing nosh his father would buy him for camp Rabbi Sharfman was a unique talmid pelling him. Much to everyone’s surprise, a family trip, Rabbi Sharfman’s finger to make sure that he had enough to share chochom who had the ability to be a Rabbi Sharfman stood up and defended was always on the pulse of his family. He with all his friends. He always thought of mentor, a role model, an advisor, and a the boy, begging the administration to knew how to talk to each child, guide each everyone. friend to so many people. But to his be- give him another chance and let him stay. one and make them all feel special. Family His family emphasized Rabbi Sharf- loved talmidim, he was all that and so Rav Grunblatt was baffled. This boy was time was important to him, and he would man’s great humility. He ran away from much more. He was their father, their giving Rabbi Sharfman such heartache on not take any phone call during dinner and kavod and did his best to shun the lime- confidant, and their inspiration. Hisaha - a daily basis, and yet here he was defend- neither did the rest of the family. light. He would refuse offers to sit up front vas haTorah and ahavas Yisroel, cou- ing the unruly talmid. His job would be The Sharfman Shabbos table was al- in shuls and kept a low profile whenever pled with his charisma and ehrlichkeit, so much easier if this one boy left. Yet, ways a special place. Rabbi Sharfman he could. When visiting his children in endeared him to his family, his friends, Rabbi Sharfman’s tremendous mesirus would prepare for each seudah and looked Minneapolis, he spoke at their kollel on and his colleagues. He was a prince of nefesh, coupled with his true love for ev- forward to engaging his family and guests the last day of Yom Tov. The mispallelim a man who never demanded respect but ery talmid, would not allow him to give in lively, thought provoking, discussions. were amazed by the depth and breadth of earned it nonetheless. All who had the up on this student, as he worried about the He encouraged everyone to contribute and his words and shocked that they did not privilege to know him are now charged boy’s future at all costs. challenged them to think. As deep as his realize what a gem they had in their midst with the task of learning from his stel- After a few short years, upon the ad- lessons often were, he knew how to ex- the whole time. lar example and spreading his ways to vice of Rav Henoch Leibowitz zt”l, Rabbi plain them to people on all levels, with- He utilized each moment to its fullest. young and old. Chaval al d’avdin velo Sharfman was asked to join the bais me- out ever talking down to them. He loved When walking home from shul on Yom mishtakchin. Woe on our loss, and let it drash division as its mashgiach ruchani singing zemiros and knew all the classic Kippur, he would discuss with his family not be forgotten. and its first-level maggid shiur. Rav Hen- and new niggunim. Often, his children’s how fortunate they all were to have the op- ach felt that a bais medrash needs a rebbi friends would hurry to join the lively portunity to do teshuvah. His Gadlus in Torah who gives his whole life to the yeshiva, Sharfman seudah after their own had fin- When he realized that while driving with utmost mesirus nefesh and com- ished, and he would make sure to include his daughters’ carpool to school he would Rabbi Sharfman was a huge talmid plete dedication. Rabbi Sharfman fit that each guest and make everyone, young often have to wait at some houses, he chochom. While his position in the ye- description to a T. It was there, at Bais and old, feel comfortable and welcomed. brought along a sefer to catch a few extra shiva may have thrust him into the spot- Medrash Zichron Ezra, that Rabbi Sharf- Also obvious at each seudah was his tre- minutes of learning. Eventually, he was light, his simplicity and normalcy kept man continued to shine. Under his leader- mendous respect and appreciation for his even able to make a siyum on his carpool his erudition out of the limelight. How- ship, the bais medrash began to blossom aishes chayil, his partner in all his life’s seder. ever, if you watched his actions closely, and grow, attracting talmidim from far accomplishments, always waiting for her His love for learning and thirst for you saw a man who was a walking Shul- and wide. At the same time, his dedicated to finish serving before he enjoyed the fes- knowledge were endless, and no family chan Aruch. He knew Mishnah Berurah aishes chayil opened up her own speech tive spread. On a similar note, she always trip was complete without him stopping backwards and forwards. He possessed a and language pathology practice, filling a waited until he came home, however late, at the local seforim store and making a clear understanding of so many areas in much-needed void for the children in the to serve dinner in the evening. purchase. Buying seforim was the most halacha. When one listened to his Sun- community. Her reputation as a skilled His Shabbos seudos were but a worthwhile way to spend his money. His day morning halacha shiur, a novice and and highly caring therapist spread as peo- glimpse into his Yom Tov meals. Shloshim seforim library was extensive, and yet he a scholar alike found his command of ple rapidly sought her expertise and guid- yom kodem hachag, thirty days before learned and knew every sefer as evidenced the topic fascinating. His shiurim were ance. Together, the Sharfmans quickly be- each Yom Tov, the seforim would begin to by his personal notes found in each one. on all four chalakim of Shulchan Aruch. came an integral part of the growing North emerge and he would spend endless hours He corresponded with Rav Matisyahu His topics included both classic and Miami Beach community. learning and preparing for each chag. In Salomon after reading his sefer on Me- contemporary halachic areas, includ- As the South Florida Jewish commu- fact, he purchased a small table for Pesach gillas Esther. He would talk in learning ing topics ranging from kiddush bema- nity continued to expand, Rabbi Sharfman to put in his dining room just to be able to with Rav Aharon Schechter about Rav kom seudah to cosmetic surgery, from was extremely proud of it. Yet, he never have all the necessary seforim in reach as Yitzchok Hutner’s Torah and was close the kashrus of fish to magicians and so took credit for any of its growth, despite he led his Seder in his inimitable style. to many of the gedolei Eretz Yisroel, al- much more. This was all on top of his his tremendous involvement. Although His son-in-law, Rabbi Yaakov Skol- ways ready to discuss Torah thoughts with mastery of the yeshivishe masechtos, as his position as mashgiach ruchani was nick, remembers Rabbi Sharfman asking them when given the opportunity. In fact, well as the meforshei Tanach and mus- more than a full-time job, he felt obli- him to buy a specific sefer before he led when his daughter visited Rav Boruch sar. Any time he gave a shiur, people as- gated to be involved in the community as his first Seder to better prepare for the big Mordechai Ezrachi, Rav Ezrachi excitedly sumed that the specific topic addressed

48 YatedNe’eman 9 Iyar 5777 | May 5, 2017 must be his area of expertise. But how He would bring them little chocolates. His Strength of Spirit to the yeshiva to experience the nachas of could one person alone be an expert in He would even watch their late night how much he was appreciated by Rabbi Gemara, Chumash, mussar, halacha, basketball games in camp. All this was Rabbi Sharfman was a towering fig- Sharfman. history, and so much more? done with the wisdom of a rebbi and the ure, and not simply because of his 6’4” love of a father. frame, nor was it just his great Torah His Appreciation of Others His Sensitivity One talmid fondly remembers his re- knowledge. What made Rabbi Sharf- lationship with his rebbi of six years: “If man most imposing was his strength Despite being someone who con- Many talmidim testified that even there was one rebbi who was the most of spirit to stand up for what was right stantly did for others, Rabbi Sharfman though Rabbi Sharfman had the tough influential across all my years in yeshi- and not back down in the face of opposi- never felt that others owed him. In fact, task as mashgiach of reprimanding va, it was Rabbi Sharfman... He took me tion. Talmidim remembered that during he would be extremely grateful to anyone those who were not living up to the ye- under his wing, inviting me for Shabbos one of the yeshiva’s summer zemanim in who did something for him, whether big shiva standards, he did so with extreme week in and week out. He pushed me Eretz Yisroel, Rabbi Sharfman, together or small. Mr. Avrohom Eliezer Friedman sensitivity. He would weigh the words to learn, get a geshmak from halacha, with some of his talmidim, attended one told a story of how as bochurim, he and he used with each talmid. He would and develop an appreciation for daas of the popular weekly halacha shiurim in Rabbi Chesky Schwartz built the Sharf- also take into account the timing of the Torah… Because of his influence, I’m Yerushalayim. The maggid shiur spoke mans a frame for their sukkah. Rabbi message. If the time was not ripe for the a better person, husband and father. My against a certain practice of some com- Sharfman would always go out of his way talmid to receive the tochacha (rebuke), last day in yeshiva, rebbi brought me munities based on his interpretation of every Sukkos, even years later, to mention he would delay it for a more opportune into his office and told me that he misses halacha. Rabbi Sharfman stood up to how thankful he was for their handiwork. moment. Many talmidim said that he many of his talmidim. With respect to defend the practice of the community. He would even joke about how his sukkah changed their lives when he had to rep- me, he will miss a true chaver.” He brought significant sources to chal- was so strong that it was the only one on rimand them, because he did so in such After hearing this story, another lenge this posek’s conclusion. The talmi- his block to withstand a hurricane. Rab- a loving and caring way and always with long-time talmid, Mr. Pinny Ackerman, dim took pride in their rebbi’s strength. bi Meir Shnidman remarked that Rabbi a smile. One talmid said, “He simply poignantly exclaimed, “That could be Another episode found Rabbi Sharfman Sharfman would constantly thank him for wanted what’s good for the talmid, noth- any one of us. We all had that kesher challenging a new presentation that was teaching his son Mishnayos; learning with ing else.” Another talmid concurred, with him!” making the rounds in the frum world. his young son was no small thing for this saying that it never came off as an at- His scale was pristinely set to au- big person, and he was forever grateful. tack, but rather from a place of genuine His Sense of Achrayus thentic standards of Torah halacha and care and concern. hashkafa. Anything that did not measure The Day of His Levaya One talmid, Rabbi Ezra Kier, still re- A very central middah of Rabbi up was subject to his challenge. When he It was 1:45 Friday morning, the elev- calls an incident over ten years ago after Sharfman was his sense of achrayus. would speak, his talmidim recalled how enth of Nissan, April 7, as the last of the a terrorist attack in Eretz Yisroel. Rabbi He took on every job and task that came sincere he was: “You felt the ‘devorim talmidim slowly left the sacred walls of Sharfman spoke to his students about his way with utmost dedication. Rabbi hayotzim min halev,’ words spoken from Bais Medrash Zichron Ezra of Yeshiva the need to have our brethren in Eretz Mordechai Palgon revealed that Rabbi the heart, and they were nichnosim lalev, Toras Chaim Toras Emes. The paroches Yisroel in mind during our tefillos. The Sharfman once told him upon becom- words that entered the heart.” Perhaps this was pulled aside as the community pre- talmidim later discovered a list on his ing mashgiach in the bais medrash that stemmed from his deep pursuit of emes. pared to show a proper kavod acharon to shtender of the names of those injured in he went through the mussar shmuessen He was a man of complete truth. He lived a man who forever changed their lives. the terrorist attack. Rabbi Sharfman was of all of the famed mashgichim of the what he preached and detested anything A heavy silence permeated the room. so pained by the tragedy that he had to yeshivos of yesteryear. Even though he that had even a trace of sheker. “He was What could be said about someone who find out the names of the individual vic- was already empowered with the shm- living the Mesilas Yeshorim,” said one accomplished so much and influenced so tims to daven for each of them. uessen and insights of his own rebbi, talmid. “Woe to the one who stood in many in just 55 years? Words would not Rav Henoch, nevertheless, he wanted the way of emes!” recalled another. This be enough. to find a new insight that could perhaps strength of character was another dimen- His Warmth As Rabbi Hershel Welcher, rov of pay dividends down the road with some sion of this great Torah leader. Chazal say that talmidim are called talmid. Congregation Ahavas Yisroel of Kew children of their teacher. With Rabbi Anytime a talmid was in need, he Acts of Kindness Gardens Hills, explained at the levayah, Sharfman, this was real. The way he em- would run to his side to assist him. It Chazal say, “Ein osim nefashos latzad- braced each one, with not just a hand- did not matter if it was in the middle of The Alter of Slabodka has many shm- dikim; divreihem hein hein zichronam.” shake but a hug, was like a father con- the night or right before Shabbos. Rab- uessen in his sefer Ohr Hatzafon about We don’t make memorials for tzaddikim; necting with a child. He would revel at bi Sharfman was there for them. One the middah of chesed. The Alter says that their words and actions are their memo- the opportunity of hosting talmidim at talmid, Mr. Avrohom Eliezer Friedman, the thoughts of care and concern that a rial. And just a few short hours later, as his house, and they all felt comfortable simply suggested that this was part of the person has when performing a kind deed the bais medrash in Miami began to fill in that welcoming environment. Togeth- underlying secret behind the outpour- lift the chesed to another plateau. Rabbi up in preparation for the live video feed er with his rebbetzin, they would cater ing of support that his talmidim showed Sharfman was fond of quoting the Alter, of the levayah, and Yeshiva Chofetz to the needs of these talmidim. Reb- when he was sick. How could they not but it was his actions that brought these Chaim of Queens, where the levayah betzin Sharfman, who shares his passion drop everything for Rabbi Sharfman? ideas to life. took place, was bursting to capacity, the and commitment, always sought ways They knew quite well that he would do During the shivah, the family received words of Chazal rang true, loud and clear. to enhance his talmidim’s experience. the same if they were ever in need. a beautiful letter from a woman in the The hundreds upon hundreds of people Despite the hectic nature of Purim, she community. A number of years ago, she at the levayah, as well as the many who would leave her house in the middle of His Belief in Every Student and her husband had moved to town in the watched and listened from afar, attested the day to set up the yeshiva’s seudah middle of the summer. They came with to the profound and far-reaching impact to ensure that it looked festive and in- From his earliest days in Miami, as their young family to the home they were Rabbi Sharfman had made on so many viting, buying special paper goods and extolled earlier by Rav Grunblatt, Rabbi renting and found it bare. The landlord lives. No words were actually needed. centerpieces for the occasion. When Sharfman had a knack for seeing the had only a few cots for the whole fam- Rav Henoch Lebowitz, his rebbi muvhak, they joined the bochurim in yeshiva for a far-reaching potential in his talmidim. ily. Exhausted from their travels, they did whose levayah was on the same day, in Shabbos seudah, she never came empty- A talmid testified, Rebbi“ had a tremen- not sleep much that first night. The next the same bais medrash, nine years ear- handed, ensuring that they always had a dous amount of respect for each and ev- morning, the husband went to Shacharis, lier, would often quote Rav Akiva Eiger, homemade delicacy to enjoy. Her deli- ery talmid...and it pulled them to want to and the first person to greet him was Rab- who said that going to a levayah is con- cious cholent and potato kugel on Purim be close. He would often say how each bi Sharfman. After Rabbi Sharfman gra- sidered a big zechus, a merit for all those and elaborate Chanukah chagigos were and every talmid adds a different com- ciously introduced himself and inquired who attend. “Megalgilin zechus al yedei all part of their combined efforts to make ponent to the yeshiva... You were help- if they needed anything, the shy head of zakai.” Hashem makes zechuyos come each talmid feel special. ing keep the yeshiva going!” household blurted out that they could use about through those who are truly deserv- One talmid who grew up in South He understood the power of Torah a few mattresses. That was all he had to ing. A large levayah is thus indicative of Florida years ago commented that the and how it had the ability to transform a say. The next thing he knew, Rabbi Sharf- the righteousness of the niftar. All those Sharfman house was his home away talmid’s life. Rabbi Sharfman remarked man was knocking on his door with mat- who attended Rabbi Sharfman’s levayah, from home. It was the address in the that he saw this middah in his own reb- tresses from his own home for the fam- as well as all those who davened, learned, young North Miami Beach community bi, Rav Henoch. There were talmidim ily to use in the interim. The family was gave tzedakah, and accepted kabbalos the to go to to see what a normal, Torah-true who Rav Henoch kept in yeshiva even amazed that a stranger cared enough to previous week, attested to the true mer- home looks like. This talmid declared though they were not the most success- introduce himself and so selflessly follow its of Rav Dovid Sharfman. The fact that that only under Rabbi Sharfman’s care ful in their learning, yet their lengthened up on his introduction. so many zechuyos were created is proof did he develop into a ben Torah. Today, exposure in yeshiva made them into Another story that came to light de- alone of his pure and righteous ways. And this successful marbitz Torah endeavors true bnei Torah. These talmidim went scribes when a talmid chochom who therefore, no words are really needed. to pass on that same warmth to his own on to live productive Torah lives, and wrote seforim came to the yeshiva to sell Instead, each of us is tasked with the talmidim. many their own children developed into his wares. Rabbi Sharfman immediately tremendous responsibility to carry on the Rabbi Sharfman would do anything metzuyanim. This same long-viewed went over to buy his seforim. This action lessons we have learned, and thereby per- to express his feelings and nachas for perspective gave Rabbi Sharfman the was an immediate endorsement for the petuate the rich legacy of the irreplace- each talmid and his accomplishments. ability to see that sometimes the effects entire yeshiva. Rabbi Sharfman treated able, highly respected, and much loved He would take them out to restaurants. of his efforts may pay dividends genera- the mechaber with much respect, so much Rav Dovid Sharfman zt”l. He would go with them to buy donuts. tions later. so that the author even brought his family Yehi zichro boruch.

50 YatedNe’eman 9 Iyar 5777 | May 5, 2017