{{Short description|American Orthodox Jewish rabbi (1914–2009)}} {{Cleanup bare URLs|date=August 2022}}
'''Zelik Epstein''', also known as '''Zelig Epstein''' (full name '''Aharon Zelig Epstein''') (July 10, 1914<ref>[https://billiongraves.com/social-security/ZELIK-EPSTEIN/16731289 Billion Graves]</ref> – August 3, 2009), was a prominent<ref>William B. Helmreich. "The World of the Yeshiva: An Intimate Portrait of Orthodox Jewry" New York: Free Press, 1982, page xix</ref> Orthodox rabbi and rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah-Grodno, a private Talmudical institution in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York,<ref>[http://www.50states.com/college/detail/ny/197692.htm 50states.com]</ref> containing a high school, Beis Midrash, and Kollel. Epstein was considered by many to be the last of the Gedolim of his generation.<ref>''See, e.g.'' Hamodia Magazine, October 21, 2009, p.3.</ref>
== Biography ==
[[File:Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah, yeshiva of Rav Zelig and Rav Kalman Epstein.jpg|thumb|Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah in Queens]]
Rabbi Epstein was born in Slonim, Belarus, then part of the Russian Empire, on July 10, 1912.{{cn|date=May 2025}} He studied in Mir, and escaped with the yeshiva to Shanghai during World War II. After the war, he and other refugees traveled to Canada, and en route to Montreal, stopped in Toronto, where he met Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky, then a rabbi in Toronto. Rabbi Kamenetsky was impressed by him and later called him back to Toronto where he was given a teaching position in the Talmud Torah and yeshiva. When Rabbi Kamenetsky moved to New York and was appointed ''rosh yeshiva'' of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath, Rabbi Epstein followed and became a teacher there as well. The two rabbis shared maintained a close relationship, with Rabbi Epstein's wedding taking place in the Kamenetsky home.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rosenblum |first1=Yonasan |title=Reb Yaakov: The Life and Times of HaGaon Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky |date=February 1993 |publisher=Mesorah Publications, Ltd. |location=Brooklyn, NY |isbn=0-89906-413-2 |page=146 |edition=First}}</ref> After leaving Torah Vodaath, he was appointed rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah- Grodno in Queens, named for the yeshiva in Grodno of his wife's grandfather, Rabbi Shimon Shkop.
Epstein maintained a relatively low profile – for example, he did not join the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, despite numerous invitations.<ref>''See'' Hamodia Magazine, October 21, 2009, p.3.</ref> His non-membership in the Moetzes, however, was a mere formality, as he still served as the address of last resort for many of the thorniest problems facing Klal Yisrael.<ref>Hamodia Magazine, October 21, 2009, p.3.</ref> His approbation was sought (and received) for a number of major projects, such as the Schottenstein edition of both the Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi of which he was a big supporter of. He is known to have been a close confidant of several gedolei hador of the previous generation, including Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky<ref>''See'' ''Reb Yaakov'' by Yonason Rosenblum, p. 146 (Mesorah Publications, 1993).</ref> and Rav Elazar Shach.
Epstein married a granddaughter of Shimon Shkop, rosh yeshiva of the original Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah-Grodno. He had two children, a son named Kalman and a daughter named Elka.<ref>http://matzav.com/rav-zelik-epstein-ztl-a-tribute-on-his-first-yahrtzeits-tomorrow-13-av</ref> His son and successor,<ref>[http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/EKV69arepstein.htm See]{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Rabbi Kalman Epstein, a Torah scholar in his own right, gives the highest level shiur in the Yeshiva. The lower level post High school lecture was given by Rabbi Shalom Spitz, and now as of 2021 given by Rabbi Zelik's grandson, Rabbi Kalman's son. In his later years, Epstein gave only one lecture a week, on Sefer Hamitzvot, written by Maimonidies. His son also assisted his father in running the Yeshiva due to the latter's advanced age.
Epstein supported Nathan Kamenetsky and his book Making of a Godol, stating in a letter to Yosef Sholom Eliashiv that "in my opinion there is no justification '''whatsoever''' to ban the aforementioned book."
==References== <references/>
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Epstein, Zelik}} Category:1914 births Category:2009 deaths Category:Rosh yeshivas Category:American Haredi rabbis Category:Burials at the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives Category:Mir Yeshiva alumni