Rav Yaakov Moshe Shurkin zt"l
הרב יעקב משה שורקין זצ"ל
Av 1 , 5723
Rav Yaakov Moshe Shurkin zt"l
Rav Yaakov Moshe Shurkin was the younger son of Rav Michel Zalman, born in 5662/1902. He was born in Podobranka, a small village deep in White Russia. His original surname was Shur, which was later changed, most likely to evade the Russian military draft.
He was descended from a prominent Chabad family in Podobranka. His maternal grandfather was Rav Zalman Freidin, son-in-law of Rav Zalman Chaikin of Podobranka.
Rav Levi Yitzchok Schneerson was also a grandson of Rav Zalman Chaikin; he and Rav Yaakov Moshe’s mother were first cousins. His son, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, and Rav Yaakov Moshe, were second cousins.
When Yaakov Moshe became bar mitzva, Rav Michel Zalman was suddenly niftar. Now a young orphan, Rav Yaakov Moshe decided to go to Radin, where he learned with extraordinary hasmada under the Chofetz Chaim for the next fifteen years. During his years in Yeshiva, his mother also passed away.
Rav Yaakov Moshe was zocheh to be one of those who took part in the tahara of the Chofetz Chaim. Many years later Rav Mendel Zaks, son-in-law of the Chofetz Chaim and Rosh Yeshiva in Radin, wrote the nusach for the matzeiva of Rav Shurkin.
In 5693/1933, Rav Yaakov Moshe tried to leave Europe and go to America, but he couldn’t get the right papers, so he went first to Eretz Yisrael. In Yerushalayim, he became close with Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer.
Two years later, he went on to America. There, he married the daughter of Rav Yaakov Kantorovich. Rav Yaakov, an uncle of Rav Moshe Feinstein, had been Rav of Timkavitch in Russia. When the communists took over, all Rabbonim were in danger. Rav Yaakov and Rav Moshe escaped to America, and Rav Kantorovich became a Rav in Trenton, New Jersey. He authored Tzilusa DeShmaatsa on the Shev Shmaatsa, Chiddushei HaGra and other seforim. At his petira he was buried in Trenton; later, with a psak from his nephew Rav Moshe, the aron was moved to Chelkas HaRabbonim in Beit Shemesh.
Rav Yaakov Moshe was a Rosh Mesivta in Yeshiva U’Mesivta Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin from its founding in 5698/1938 until he was niftar on Rosh Chodesh Av 5723/1963, at sixty-two. He was buried in Beth David cemetery in Elmont, Long Island.
Several volumes of his shiurim on masechtos have been published as Shiurei Rav Yaakov Moshe.
His son, Rav Michel, shlit’a, is a Rosh Yeshiva in Toras Moshe in Yerushalayim.
Zecher tzaddik livrachah.
www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-1-avjuly-28/