כ''א תמוז שבת קודש

Subject: ‏ כ''א תמוז שבת קודש

With heavy and aching hearts we approach the שלשים of Moshe Yehuda Leib Scharf Z''L, who tragically was Niftar in his sleep on the very morning of his brother's Chasunah. It is hard to believe that already a month has passed since that tragic day when the Chernobyl Yeshivah was shockingly plunged into mourning.  A month since the earth was soaked with the tears of a family in mourning at the burial of their twenty year old child and brother. A month since the heady excitement of preparations for their eldest child's Chasunah was horrifically twisted into the bitter taste of mourning. 

Moishy, as he was fondly known by his family and chaveirim was a serious and energetic bachur, loved and admired by all who knew him.  He combined a serious demeanor and a joyous personality seamlessly into one.  Mashgichim and Bachurim would marvel at the unmatched hasmadah and deveikus he displayed during his learning and Tefillah. 

Many incidents abound in which Moishy's trademark wit and deep sense of responsibility to his friends are displayed. 

One unforgettable example is one which was recounted during the Shivah. 

Approached by a prospective father- in- law for information, Moishy gave a shining report of the specific Bachur's qualities. Consequently, the man inquired about the Bachur's Chavrusah. Moishy could not bear to tell him the truth – that the bachur did not have a Chavrusah – thereby possibly ruining his chances for a favourable outcome, so in an unbelievable show of sensitivity, he replied innocently,  "I am his chavrusah!" He then approached the Bachur and learnt with him that very day in order to ensure that this would not have been a lie!

This is just one of the many unbelievable stories which illustrate the caring and thought which embodied Moishy's every action.

On כ''א סיון תשע''ג, in his sleep, the night before his brother was to be married, Moishy returned his holy Neshama to the Ribono Shel Olam, a pure Korban Tzibur.  After helping his parents settle into their flat in Bnei Brak,  he had returned to Yeshivah, completely healthy and well, to sleep for the night. He had not wanted to miss even one day of Torah learning.  Moishy left this world in the middle of doing Mitzvos, and from the holiest place, his Yeshivah, to return to his Maker untainted and pure.

From the Yeshivah shel Matah, up to the Yeshivah shel Ma'alah, he was accompanied by his Torah, Mitzvos and Ma'asim Tovim, to his lofty place in Gan Eden.

May he be a Meilitz Yosher for his family and for all of Klal Yisrael.

Written by a cousin