The Monsey Torah community was plunged into mourning over Shavuos with the passing of Rav Yisroel Sinai Wagshal zt”l of Lanzhut-Monsey, a revered gaon, tzaddik, and longtime mashgiach who devoted his life to Torah, avodah, and chesed. He was 66 years old.

Rav Yisroel Sinai passed away during Shavuos after enduring years of severe suffering following a devastating stroke approximately eight years ago that left him bedridden and paralyzed.

A descendant of an illustrious line of Chassidic leaders and tzaddikim, Rav Yisroel Sinai was widely respected for his warmth, humility, and deep devotion to helping others. Throughout his life, he was known for receiving every person with unusual kindness and a radiant countenance.

He was the son of Rav Yehoshua Mordechai Elazar Wagshal zt”l, Av Beis Din of Lanzhut and one of Williamsburg’s prominent rabbinic figures, who himself was the son of Rav Alter Yaakov Yitzchok Wagshal zt”l, Av Beis Din of Lanzhut.

Through his mother’s side, Rav Yisroel Sinai descended from Rav Yaakov Halberstam of Tshakava zt”l, son of Rav Sinai of Zmigrod zy”a. His lineage traced back to many of the great Chassidic dynasties and luminaries of past generations, including Lizhensk, Zlotchov, Premishlan, Belz, Ropshitz, Dzikov, Melitz, Ohel, Sighet, Sanz, Dinov, Kozhnitz, Kosov, Sassov, Apta, and many others.

After his marriage to the daughter of Rav Moshe Chaim Rubin zt”l of Dinov, son of Rav Menachem Mendel Zeida Rubin zt”l of Glogov and son-in-law of Rav Yekusiel Yehuda Rosenberger zt”l of Dieresh, the couple established a distinguished home built upon Torah and Chassidus.

For many years, Rav Yisroel Sinai served as a dedicated mashgiach in several yeshivos, including Yeshivas Nitra and Yeshivas Noam Elimelech. He profoundly influenced countless bochurim through his teachings, encouragement, and exceptional love for every student.

Those who knew him described a man who lived entirely for Torah and for the welfare of fellow Jews, constantly involved in acts of gemilus chassadim and helping others quietly and selflessly.

He is survived by a distinguished family of children and sons-in-law who continue his legacy of Torah and yiras Shomayim.

Among his sons are Rav Alter Yaakov Yitzchok Wagshal, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Toras Moshe in Montreal and son-in-law of the Karlsburger Rebbe of Montreal; Rav Zalman Leib Wagshal, son-in-law of the Av Beis Din of Vodkert; and Rav Menachem Mendel Wagshal, son-in-law of Rav Avrohom Rokeach, Av Beis Din of Kozlov.

His sons-in-law include Rav Yoel Labin, son of the Balchov Rebbe; Rav Chaim Yechiel Alter Segal Lowy, Av Beis Din of Tosh Monsey and son of the Tosh Rebbe; Rav Berel Rotenberg, son of the Av Beis Din of Voidislev; Rav Itamar Meislish, son of the Av Beis Din of Vitzen; Rav Berel Leifer, son of Rav Shmuel Binyomin Leifer of Voidislev; and Rav Shlomo Meislish, son of Rav Mordechai Aharon Meislish, rav of Bais Medrash Ichud Avreichim Satmar and son of the Satmar Gaavad of Boro Park.

He is also survived by prominent rabbinic siblings, including Rav Shalom Wagshal, Av Beis Din of Lanzhut-Williamsburg; Rav Naftali Elimelech Wagshal, Av Beis Din of Apta-Williamsburg; and Rav Boruch Yehuda Wagshal of Lanzhut-Beit Shemesh, son-in-law of the Mishkenos Haroim Rebbe.

Among his sisters are the Peshvorsker Rebbetzin, the Ziditchov-Chareidim Rebbetzin, the Rebbetzin of the Netzach Menachem Spinka Rebbe, the wife of Rav Yehuda Elisha Horowitz, Av Beis Din of Ohr Hachaim, and the wife of Rav Naftali Kahn of Divrei Emunah Monsey.

The levayah was held at Bais Medrash Dinov on Albert Drive in Monsey and proceeded to New Jersey, where Rav Yisroel Sinai was laid to rest near his ancestors.

Tehei nishmaso tzerurah bitzror hachaim.

{Matzav.com}