A respected talmid chacham known for his humility and lifelong dedication to Torah, Rav Yitzchok Menachem Cohen zt”l passed away Monday at the age of 82.

The niftar collapsed on the eve of the recent Yom Tov and was taken to Sheba Medical Center, where he remained hospitalized until his petirah Monday afternoon.

The levayah will be held tonight at his home on Meromi Sadeh Street 11 in Modiin Illit, proceeding to Segulah Cemetery in Petach Tikvah for kevurah.

Rav Cohen zt”l was born in Yerushalayim on the 7th of Teves 5704 to his father, Rav Aviezri Eliezer Cohen zt”l, of the Bayit Vegan neighborhood. As a child, he davened at Yeshivas Kol Torah, where he was exposed to many gedolei Yisroel there.

He later continued his learning at Yeshivas Kol Torah for his yeshiva ketanah years, before advancing to Ponevezh Yeshiva, where he became a close talmid of the mashgiach, Rav Yechezkel Levenstein zt”l, as well as of the Ponevezher Rov. He was a regular participant in the mashgiach’s shmuessen.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he married the daughter of Rav Avraham Schwartz zt”l, mashgiach of Yeshivas Or Yisrael in Petach Tikvah, who had passed away prior to the chasunah. Following his marriage, he initially lived in Petach Tikvah and developed a close connection with the rosh yeshiva of Or Yisrael, Rav Yaakov Neiman zt”l.

He later moved to Bnei Brak, where he joined Kollel Chazon Ish, immersing himself in Torah learning for decades. There, he developed a close relationship with the rosh kollel, Rav Nissim Karelitz zt”l, and merited learning alongside the Sar HaTorah, Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l, as well as other leading gedolim of the generation. Throughout his life, he remained exceedingly modest, avoiding attention and never seeking recognition.

He maintained halachic discussions with many gedolei Yisroel, who held him in high regard. Approximately 20 years ago, he relocated to Modiin Illit to be near his children, where he continued his daily sedorim, learning both in the morning and afternoon and maintaining his chavrusashafts consistently, even during difficult periods. He completed Shas multiple times, always quietly and without fanfare.

Seven years ago, his wife, Mrs. Devorah Cohen a”h, passed away suddenly. He accepted the loss with deep emunah and continued his regular learning schedule, often learning with his children over the phone. He took great joy in hearing their chiddushim and would share his own insights with them as well.

He was niftar Monday afternoon in the hospital, surrounded by family.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}