Pirkei Avos starts with three lessons: Be patient with the administration of justice, raise many students, and set a fence around the Torah. (Avos 1:1). Rav Mattisyahu Salomon, zt”l, Mashgiach of the Gateshead Yeshiva and then of Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, lived his life in accordance with these lessons. He judged others favorably, he was a rebbi to thousands across the globe, and he was always looking to protect the kedusha of klal Yisrael.
Rabbi Avrohom Birnbaum has
recently written a biography of Rav Mattisyahu (ArtScroll 2025), bringing to the
Jewish reading public a collection of beautiful stories demonstrating the
humility, warmth, clarity of vision, and boundless love of klal Yisrael’s
mashgiach.
A few months after Rav Mattisyahu’s
installation as mashgiach ruchni of Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, a
group of several of his former students in the Gateshead Yeshivah left their
families for a few weeks to spend Elul with Rav Mattisyahu one more time. This
was a beautiful reminder of the kesher (connection) these students had
with their mashgiach and the impression he left on Jews worldwide. Rav
Mattisyahu, the biography, brings us into the home of a man who lived a
life of yiras Shamayim, nesius b’ol, and ahavas Torah from
a young age.
Rav Mattisyahu made a point of
opening his home to all. He never judged. From the greatest rosh yeshiva to the
mentally challenged individual, everyone had a seat at the table. Once, a woman
walked into the Salomon home thinking that she was entering the home next door,
which housed a paper goods store. Upon entering, the woman asked, “Which room?”
Rebbetzin Salomon called out, “Any room!” This demonstrated the hachnas
orchim the Rav and Rebbetzin displayed to all without judgment and with an
abundance of love.
He also ensured every Jew had a
proper education. The Mashgiach traveled extensively throughout the former
Soviet Union to do kiruv work. In Lakewood, too, he had a profound
influence. Once, when there was a large group of girls who did not have a
school for the forthcoming year, he said that a placement would have to be
found for each girl, or no girls high school could open at all.
From youth to old age, everyone was
able to learn something from Rav Salomon. His mantra was: “I am here to serve klal
Yisrael. If there are people who want to hear the devar Hashem, then
it is my task to bring it to them.” The Mashgiach built a fence for Torah by
warning of the plague of the internet at a time when many people simply did not
know much about it; he continued long after people said that there was nothing
to do about it. His warnings did not come without a refuah. Rabbi
Salomon helped to found TAG, an organization promoting the filtering of devices
that have the internet. However, as the Mashgiach told an assembly of women at
Bais Faiga Hall in Lakewood, filtering is a b’di’eved. L’chatchilah
(ideally), one should not have internet at all.
His anti-internet stance proved to
be controversial, however, and he faced backlash for it and for other sensitive
issues that he advocated for. But the Mashgiach cared so deeply about the
issues that the backlash didn’t bother him. He only cared about how this might
affect his Rebbetzin Miriam (nee Falk), a”h. A talmid once drove
by the Salomon home at 5:00 in the morning and saw Rav Mattisyahu cleaning up
pamphlets that derided him so that his wife would not see them. He demonstrated
the power of taking a stance but with great sensitivity.
The author, Rabbi Birnbaum, who defended
Rav Mattisyahu during these controversies in the pages of the Yated, was
subject to personal attacks in the “blogosphere” as well.
Rav Salomon showed us how
important it is to stand up for Jews no matter where they are in the world. In
the song “Maoz Tzur,” we praise the Jewish people as shoshanim, roses.
The reason for this, as the Mashgiach explained, is that we are roses
surrounded by the thorns of assimilation. Yet, we persevered. The Greeks could
not take away our Jewish values. This is the victory of Chanukah. Rav Mattisyahu
continued this battle by warning of the dangers of the internet, demonstrating
the sweetness of Torah, and fundraising for many organizations. Yet, he never
forgot the individual or his family. We should be inspired to spread the light
of yiras Shamayim, askanus (community activism), and faith even
further.
Klal Yisrael lost our
Mashgiach nearly two years ago. As we approach the Chanukah season, let us
ensure that all Jews feel the warmth of the menorah. Get involved in the
wonderful chesed organizations in Baltimore and beyond. Don’t remain
silent when your rights as a Jew are impeded. Stand up for those who have no
one else. If we take care of Hashem’s Torah, then we are continuing the legacy
of being osek b’tzorchei tzibur with the love and emunah of Rav Mattisyahu
Salomon, zt”l.
* * *
Several new sefarim based on Rav Mattisyahu
Salomon’s Torah are being prepared by Machon Matnas Chaim. The goal of this
organization is to share the Mashgiach’s timeless Torah around the world.
Readers who wish to share manuscripts, recordings, and notes from Rav Mattisyahu
or partner in this project are asked to please call: 732-608-1759, or email:
machonmatnaschaim@gmail.com.
Chaim Yehuda Meyer is an attorney and writer who
contributes regularly to the Jewish Link and other frum publications.
His works include current events, Jewish legal news, community events, and
other areas of interest to our community. He can be reached at: howard.jay.meyer@gmail.com.
