Rabbi Nota Schiller, Torah Luminary and Co-Founder of Ohr Somayach, Passes Away at 88

The Torah community mourns the passing of Rabbi Nota Schiller, a revered scholar and co-founder of Jerusalem’s Ohr Somayach Yeshiva, who died on Friday night, the 29th of Adar II, 5785 (March 8, 2025), at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. Rabbi Schiller, aged 88, succumbed after a battle with illness, leaving behind a towering legacy as a pioneer in bringing thousands of Jews back to Torah observance and establishing Ohr Somayach as a global beacon for spiritual reconnection.

Early Life and Formative Years

Born in 1937 in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, Rabbi Schiller grew up in a traditional Jewish family in an environment where few wore kippot. His sense of mission to spread Torah emerged early. He received his initial education at a Talmud Torah in Crown Heights before studying at Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin under Rabbi Yitzchak Hutner, author of Pachad Yitzchak. Later, at Baltimore’s Ner Israel Yeshiva, he forged a close bond with Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg, becoming his study partner and absorbing the rigorous scholarship that would define his path.

Founding Ohr Somayach

In 1972, amid a wave of spiritual awakening among Jews following the Six-Day War, Rabbi Schiller joined forces with Rabbis Noah Weinberg, Mendel Weinbach, and Yaakov Rosenberg—all towering figures in their own right—to establish Ohr Somayach. The yeshiva, the first of its kind dedicated to baalei teshuva (returnees to Judaism), aimed to provide English-speaking Jews, primarily from the United States, with a framework to reconnect with their heritage. Rabbi Schiller’s vision was to create an authentic, immersive Torah experience for those seeking meaning after arriving in Israel.

Known for his warm, paternal approach, Rabbi Schiller left an indelible mark on his students. One oft-repeated story tells of an American university graduate who arrived at Ohr Somayach disconnected from Judaism and struggled with Talmud study. Rabbi Schiller encouraged him with a midrashic phrase—“Those who walk in darkness have seen a great light”—and paired him with skilled study partners. That student eventually became a distinguished Torah scholar and yeshiva teacher, a testament to Rabbi Schiller’s transformative influence.

A Lasting Impact

Under Rabbi Schiller’s leadership, Ohr Somayach grew into a formidable Torah institution, producing some 10,000 alumni who established Torah-centered homes worldwide. He insisted that the goal was not merely to inspire repentance but to cultivate genuine Torah scholars. “If you can find fulfillment on a desert island with a Gemara in hand, you’ll know you’ve succeeded,” he told students, emphasizing an intrinsic connection to Torah as the measure of achievement.

His educational philosophy balanced patience with depth. “A hat must grow from the head, not sit atop it,” he famously said, advocating for organic personal growth over imposed change. This approach, blending cultural sensitivity with rigorous study of classical texts like the Babylonian Talmud, resonated with diverse students and solidified Ohr Somayach’s reputation.

Final Days and Legacy

Rabbi Schiller passed away on Shabbat eve at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, surrounded by the echoes of a lifetime devoted to Torah. His death leaves a profound void in the Jewish world, felt keenly by his many disciples. His son, Rabbi Nachshon Schiller, continues his work as head of Jerusalem’s Ohr Shmuel Yeshiva. Tens of thousands of Ohr Somayach graduates and their students carry forward the torch he lit, a living tribute to his enduring legacy.

May his memory be a blessing.