It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Elazar Pesserman zt”l, one of Bnei Brak’s great talmidei chachamim, who learned in Yeshivas Rashbi for over fifty years and devoted his life to Torah. He was 80 years old.
Rav Elazar was born in Tel Aviv to his father, Rav Avraham Aba Pesserman zt”l, a devoted chossid of Stutchin, and his mother, Mrs. Sarah. Raised in a home of yiras Shamayim, he witnessed firsthand his father’s unwavering dedication to shmiras Shabbos in a secular environment, working together with Rav Yonah Stenzel zt”l to uphold the sanctity of the day.
As a young man, Rav Elazar enrolled in the Ponovezh Yeshiva, where he became closely attached to its leadership, including the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Shach, and the mashgiach, Rav Yechezkel Levenstein zt”l. There, his dedication to Torah and avodah was legendary, and his hasmadah knew no bounds.
After marrying the daughter of Rav Yom Tov Friedman z”l—one of the founders of the Chug Chasam Sofer community in Petach Tikvah—he continued his aliyah in Torah by joining the kollel of Yeshivas Rashbi in Bnei Brak, under the leadership of Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman. Rav Pesserman’s diligence only intensified, and he quickly became renowned as one of the most revered lomdim in the city.
He developed a close kesher with Rav Bergman and was known to consult him on every matter, living a life entirely immersed in Torah, to the extent that he remained completely removed from worldly affairs. Once, when a secular member of the Israeli government visited the kollel, a fellow avreich asked Rav Pesserman if he would learn a sugya with the guest and explain the Gemara to him. Rav Pesserman simply responded by asking, “Who is that?”—he had never even heard the man’s name.
Even during the last year of his life, as he battled a difficult illness, Rav Elazar continued learning with tremendous exertion, undeterred by the pain and challenges he faced.
He leaves behind his only son, Rav Yom Tov Pesserman; his daughters; and many grandchildren.
The levayah was held today (Tuesday, Isru Chag in Eretz Yisroel), beginning at Yeshivas Rashbi on Rechov HaShelah in Bnei Brak, passing by his residence on Rechov HaRav Dessler, and proceeding to the Ponovezh Bais Hachaim for burial.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com Israel}