Rebbetzin Devorah Bergman, daughter of the renowned Torah leader Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach and wife of distinguished Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Bergman, passed away Tuesday evening at Mayanei HaYeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak. She was 97.
The Rebbetzin, who remained lucid until her final moments, was hospitalized last Shabbat after experiencing respiratory difficulties. She was surrounded by family members when she passed away.
A Life of Torah Legacy
Born in 1927 in Vilna, Lithuania, to Rabbi Shach (later known as the Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevezh and author of "Avi Ezri") and Rebbetzin Guttel Gilmovsky, young Devorah grew up in the presence of Torah giants. Her early years were spent in the orbit of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, one of the leading rabbinical figures of pre-war Europe.
The family's journey to British Mandate Palestine in 1941 marked a pivotal moment in her life. Settling first in Tel Aviv and later in Jerusalem's Kerem neighborhood, she attended the prestigious Beit Yaakov seminary, where she formed lasting friendships with daughters of other prominent rabbinic families.
A Marriage of Torah Giants
Her marriage in 1951 to Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Bergman, arranged through the guidance of the Chazon Ish, united two prestigious Torah families. The wedding, held at Jerusalem's Herling Warshavsky Hotel, was officiated by her uncle, the renowned Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer.
The couple established their home in Bnei Brak, where their residence became a crossroads of Torah leadership. During the periods when her father served as Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevezh while still living in Jerusalem, their home served as his weekly residence, hosting historic meetings between leading Torah figures including Rabbi Aharon Kotler.
A Legacy of Quiet Chesed
Despite her distinguished lineage, Rebbetzin Bergman was known for her extraordinary humility and dedication to helping others. She worked at the Karlin-Stolin Talmud Torah and later at Em V'Yeled maternity hospital, where she was renowned for her dedication to the infants in her care.
Former colleagues recall her middle-of-the-night missions to summon medical help for infants in distress, and her quiet, persistent efforts to support families in need. She was known to personally purchase and deliver food to struggling families every Friday, maintaining their dignity through careful discretion.
The Rebbetzin steadfastly refused special treatment throughout her life, declining offers to skip lines or take preferred seating on public transportation despite her status as daughter and wife of leading Torah scholars.
Family and Legacy
The Rebbetzin was predeceased by her son Rabbi Azriel Bergman in 2023 and her brother Rabbi Ephraim Azriel Shach in 2011. She is survived by her husband, Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Bergman, seven sons who are all prominent Torah scholars and educators, and one daughter. Her children include:
- Rabbi Ben Zion Bergman, Rosh Kollel of Rashbi
- Rabbi Isser Zalman Bergman, Rosh Kollel of Mishnat Rabbeinu
- Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Bergman, of Rashbi Kollel
- Rabbi Nachum Bergman, of Ponevezh Kollel
- Rabbi Chaim Bergman, of Ponevezh Kollel
- Rabbi Yissachar Bergman, head of the Mishnat Avi Ezri Institute
- Rabbi Asher Bergman, noted author of religious texts
- Her daughter, married to Rabbi Chaim Pass
Rebbetzin Bergman was laid to rest in the Ponevezh cemetery, near her father, Rav Shach.
Baruch Dayan HaEmet.
Behadrei Haredim contributed to this article.
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