Lakewood’s Rosh Hayeshiva Rabbi Malkiel Kotler visited L.A. recently to attend the yearly reception for Beth Medrash Govoha (the Lakewood Yeshiva). Following an established tradition of 25 years, the family of Dr. Nechemia Abbott, a”h, hosted the annual gathering for the yeshiva.
Doniel Abbott, Dr. Abbott’s son, welcomed the rabbis, former students and supporters of the yeshiva, and those just seeking an opportunity to learn from one of today’s prominent roshei yeshiva. Abbott said, “It was the act of donating to the mishkan with nedivas halev that resulted in Hashem’s desire to reside among us. The reception is here in our home because my father, a”h, had a nedivas halev, a generous heart. Even though at the time he had no connection with the Lakewood Yeshiva, he heard that the yeshiva needed a place in Los Angeles for a reception, and he immediately volunteered. May we all be zoche to have that nedivas halev, and bring the shechinah closer to klal Yisrael.” Reb Menachem Klein thanked the Abbott family and the yeshiva’s supporters, and was followed by prominent rabbi and scholar Rabbi Pinchas Gruman, a talmid of Rav Aharon Kotler – who introduced the Lakewood rosh hayeshiva.
(L-R) Reb Menachem Klein, Rabbi Nachum Sauer,
and Rabbi Pinchas Gruman listening to Rabbi Malkiel Kotler
After thanking the Abbott family for hosting receptions on behalf of the yeshiva over the past quarter century, Rabbi Kotler expanded on the concept of nedivas halev articulated by Doniel Abbott.
He extolled the generosity of Dr. Nechemia Abbott through the latter’s support of Torah institutions and other Jewish causes. Rabbi Kotler said, “May the family continue to follow in the steps of Dr. Abbott, and continue in supporting those causes that were always a part of his life.”
During his visit, Rabbi Kotler also delivered a shiur at the Kollel Los Angeles.
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