Hundreds Gather to Mark Shloshim of Rabbi Schtorks

Two hundred fifty men and women gathered Tuesday evening in Morristown, NJ to mark the shloshim of R’ Avraham Yeshaye Shtrocks, of blessed memory.

As Rabbi Zalman Wilschanski – Rosh Yeshivah of Tomchei Tmimim and Rov of the Morristown community Shul (where R’ Schtroks served as Gabbai) – emphasized, it was not to say hespedim. Rather it was a “call to action” to draw inspiration from this very beloved chosid in all the various roles he filled.

R’ Yosef Yitzchack Shtrocks, the oldest of his children, opened with a siyum on shisha sidrei mishna, followed by Kaddish.

Rabbi Wilschanski presented the evening and spoke about Rabbi Shtrocks’s impact on the community. He was a proud yid, and a proud chosid, who’s ‘ge’on Yaakov’ blazed a path in which others who saw him felt motivated to follow. Rabbi Wilschanski also told of the Kollel Zichron Yeshaye that was started in the shul on Monday evenings. It already took place the past two weeks with resounding success.

Rabbi Moshe Herson, head shliach of NJ and dean of the RCA, related – at times humorously – of the special relationship he had with Rabbi Shtrocks, emphasizing R’ shtrocks’ caring nature. He also shared a lesson from Megilas Rus teaching that one who helps the family of a niftar, brings ‘fargenigen’ and does a favor for the neshama in gan eden as well.

Rabbi Yaakov Wagner spoke of Rabbi Shtrocks’ unique way as a melamed, how he was mechanech children through being a true dugma chaya. Rabbi Ari Wilshanski, principal of the cheder in Morristown, told of the special initiatives that have been accomplished in the cheder l’zecher nishmoso, in the three ‘kavin’ of Torah, Avodah and Gemilas chassodim.

Rabbi Anschel Perl, Shliach in Long Island and R’ Yeshaye’s brother in law, told of the care and attention Rabbi Shtrocks had for every member of his extended family. He said how the tears one sheds for an ‘odom kosher’ are placed in a very special place while Hashem waits to see ‘what will become of them.’ Will they remain just tears, or will they lead to practical action? He also expressed gratitude for the rallying of support and help in response to this tragedy.

The evening culminated with an inspiring address from R’ Mordechai Gurary, Rov of Chevra Shas in Crown Heights, who again encouraged practical hachlotos in line with “v’hachai yiten el libo,” absorbing the lessons that had been spoken about.

Everyone was moved, impacted by the reflections of Rabbi Shtrocks’ behavior as father, community member, and mechanech, and left the gathering with commitments to grow in their own avodah accordingly.

In the words of one person who expressed his appreciation to Rabbi Wlischanski for the evening: “the shlsoshim last night was very befitting a remarkable man.” Chaval al d’avdin v’lo mishtakchin!

Rabbi Gurary also spoke about the singular mitzvah of being able to assist the family at this time. Hashem Himself is the protector of almonos and father of yesomim. Someone who helps support them in any way is as if they are assisting Hashem Himself, and the Holy One blessed-be-he is a ‘baal chov’ to them. It is a most befitting way to prepare for the Yom Tov of Matan Torah.

To help the Schtroks family please visit zichronshayaschtroks.com.