BDE: Moscow Jewish Community Mourns Loss of Legendary Shamash Reb Zvi Hirsch Gershoi z”l

Belaaz regrets to inform you of the petirah of Reb Tzvi Hirsch Gershoi z”l, known affectionately as “Grisha,” who passed away on Shabbos, which was his 77th birthday.

He served as the Shamash of the “Marina Rosh’cha” shul in central Moscow for over two decades, and delivered shiurim as well.

Russian Chief Rabbi Harav Berel Lazar’s office released a hesped for him.

“He was devoted to the holy service with heart and soul, and stood at the right hand of the Chief Rabbi Rav Berel Lazar. He was beloved and devoted to all thousands of worshipers and students throughout the years, in which he stood on his watch with dedication and consistency.”

“With his passing, a cornerstone was removed from the Jewish community of Greater Moscow, as Rev Grisha, z”l, was known to everyone, and was ready to help and answer any request at all hours of the day. He was especially devoted to the honor of the House of Hashem, in arranging the siddurim, sefarim, and cleaning the shul. The highlight of his activity was the operation of the guest room, where mispallelim and students find hot and cold drinks and abundant refreshments at all hours, and for this purpose he raised donations, and he would stand himself and “water the flocks” at all times and especially at the end of the fasts, when he took care of large and abundant meals, standing over the diners and making sure that the temperature was comfortable.”

Reb Grisha was born in the town of Ribnitz, Moldova. His grandfather was close with Harav m Chaim Zanvil Abramovich zt”l, who was known as the “Tzadik of Ribnitz”, and from his childhood He would assist the Rebbe himself, and enjoyed a special closeness with him. He would daven at his home and witnessed many miracles.

In his youth, Reb Grisha left his town and advanced to important positions in Moldova, and was even appointed Deputy Minister of Culture in the government and to various high-ranking appointments. With the fall of the communist regime, he found himself without a job and without a livelihood, moving from place to place, until one day, by Hashgocha Pratis, he passed by the Moscow shul and was called to complete the minyan. Since then, he never left. The rabbis adopted him in junior positions, and with his perseverance he learned to pray, and invested a lot in studying Torah, until he rose through the ranks of the many positions in the synagogue, and even gave public Torah lessons. He became entirely observant, being careful about every “kutzo shel yud,” the hesped said.

About a month and a half ago, Reb Grisha required surgery. He received a special certificate from Harav Lazar marking his 77th birthday, which fell on the seventh day of the seventh month, on the seventh day of the week.

Reb Grisha’s levaya will be held on Monday afternoon at the Vostryakovsky Jewish Life Center in Moscow, with a large crowd attending to pay their respects to this dear man.

Since the deceased left no children, the tzibur is asked to daven and learn lilui nishnas Zvi Hirsch ben Yisrael.