It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Rav Shalom Shachne Zohn zt”l at the age of 102. Rav Zohn was rosh kollel of Kollel Kodshim V’Taharos in Har Tzvi in Yerushalayim for nearly forty years, and before that served for 30 years as a rosh mesivtaand rosh yeshiva at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in Brooklyn.
Born in a town near Mezhibuzh, at the age of seven his family immigrated to the United States, where he grew up and was a childhood friend of Rav Chaim Pinchos Scheinbergzt”l. Rav Zohn became close to Rav Scheinberg’s father-in-law, the legendary Rav Yaakov Yosef Herman zt”l, who was instrumental in sending him to learn in the great pre-war European yeshivos.
Rav Zohn studied at the yeshivos of Mir and Kamenitz in Europe and received semichah from Rav Boruch Ber Leibowitz zt”l. He was one of the few living people to have had the privilege of spending time with the Chofetz Chaim zt”l at the Radin Yeshiva.
Rav Zohn was the author of seforim Ateres Yaakov named for his father, Rav Yitzchok Yaakov Zohn zt”l, for which he received the haskamah of Rav Boruch Ber. He also authored Chemdas Hazohar, Pirkei Teshuvah Ugeulah, and Kuntres Kavod Hatorah.
Several years ago, Rav Zohn had a remarkable dream. Here is how he described it: “I saw the Chofetz Chaim…and he said to me to make known in the world that the redemption is close, and it is necessary to be ready for the redemption.” Being humble by nature, Rav Zohn did not mention his dream publicly. Then the dream was repeated. The Chofetz Chaim came once again and repeated the message, at which time Rav Zohn revealed the dream publicly.
His wife, Rebbetzin Liba, passed away about 20 years ago. He remarried and his second wife passed away about four years ago. Rav Zohn was niftar this evening at Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in Yerushalayim.
He is survived by two sons and three daughters, as well as dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren following in his ways.
The levaya will be held at 9:30 p.m. at his home at 11 Rechov Even Ha’azel in Ezras Torah, Yerushalayim, followed by kevurah on Har Hazeisim.
Yehi zichro boruch.
