The American Rabbi’s Rabbi By Rabbi Haim Jachter | December 16, 2020
If I were to ask our readers if they heard of Rav Hershel Schachter and Rav Mordechai Willig, their answers most likely would be “of course.” However, if we asked if they are familiar with Rav Gedalia Dov Schwartz, zt”l, who passed away last week at the age of 95, the answer would likely be no. Although Rav Schwartz was of the same stature and
caliber (and hashkafic orientation) as Rav Schachter and Rav Willig, he forged a different rabbinic path.
Rav Schachter and Rav Willig are quintessential Yeshiva University roshei yeshiva and roshei kollel. Rav Gedalia Dov Schwartz was more focused on the rabbinate and beit din world. For the last 30 years, Rav Schwartz had the final word regarding all highly sensitive matters of personal status questions within the Modern Orthodox community. Hundreds of rabbis addressed their most challenging problems to Rav Schwartz. Rav Schwartz