YS GOLD

We regret to inform you of the sad and sudden passing of Rav Mordechai Beck, zt"l, Rosh Yeshivas Tiferes Moshe and ABD Kehal Segulas Yisroel in Monsey. He was 80 years of age, and collapsed from a heart attack this morning on his way to yeshiva. 

Despite the valiant efforts of Rockland Hatzoloh, the Rosh Yeshiva returned his soul to its Maker shortly thereafter. 

He was born in Pressburg, Hungary, in 1946, soon after the war, and represented the first generation to be born following the great churban. The Beck family came to Montreal, and this was where he spent his youth. 

His formation as a giant in Torah, however, came in the great Yeshivos of Nitra, Lakewood, and Brisk. There, Rav Mordechai towered above the rest with his great hasmodoh and diligence in learning. 

Following his marriage to the daughter of Rav Hersh Meilech Kahana, he became a maggid shiur in Nitra for many years, after which he opened his yeshiva in Monsey, a position that he presided over until his last day on earth. 

The Rosh Yeshiva leaves behind thousands of devastated talmidim and mispalelim to whom he was devoted with heart and soul. Talmidim from throughout the decades recall a gaon b'Torah who towered in his Torah mastery while never forgetting a single talmid in his care. "He led by example," recalled a talmid. "The very sight of the Rosh Yeshiva sitting and learning with the hasmodoh of a young bachur was enough to inspire all of us toward a life of ahavas haTorah." 

To his mispalelim, Rav Mordechai was a devoted shepherd, caring for each of the families in his flock with extraordinary care and concern. 

As noted, he was on his way into yeshiva to perform his avodas hakodesh early Tuesday morning when he collapsed from a severe heart attack, and returned his neshamah to its Maker following a lifetime devoted to Torah. 

The levaya will take place in Monsey this afternoon. 

Yehi zichro baruch.