22 Shevat – Rav Yehuda Zev Segal1 min read

22 Shevat is the yarzeit of Reb Yehuda Zev (ben Moshe Yitzchok) Halevi Segal zy”a. My Rebbe, Reb Shlomo Kupetz zt”l was a talmid of his, and I heard numerous first-hand accounts of his greatness and his great level of kedusha, which he imparted to his talmidim.

As is well known, Rav Segal inspired and continues to inspire Klal Yisroel to study the Sefer Chofetz Chaim and Shmiras Haloshon. He would say that everyone would be helped if they would learn two of these halachos daily, one from each sefer. His name, יהודה זאב הלוי, is equal to כ״ד אלול, the yahrzeit of the Chofetz Chaim.

The tzaddik passed away Friday night of Shabbos Yisro, when we read: ויחן שם ישראל נגד ההר (19:1). Rashi explains that we received the Torah  were like one person with one heart. This implies a time of achdus, without any lashon hora.

A few pesukim later, the verse states: והייתם לי סגלה מכל העמים.

לי is equal in gematriya to יהודה זאב, and the word סגלה may be seen as an allusion to his last name, סגל.

The date of Rav Segal’s passing, כ”ב ב’שבט, is equal to הר סיני, as well as של״ה, which may be seen as an abbreviation of ש׳מירת ה׳ל׳שון.

Zechuso yagein aleinu!