Rav Mattisyahu

A Life of Torah, Truth, and Mesirus Nefesh

The name Rav Mattisyahu Salomon evokes reverence throughout the Torah world. Known simply as “The Mashgiach,” his presence shaped generations of talmidim, uplifted families, and inspired communities across the globe. His voice—calm, measured, yet filled with fire—called upon Klal Yisrael to live lives of kedushah, emunah, and unwavering devotion to Hashem. This biography, by bestselling author Rabbi Avrohom Birnbaum, brings readers inside the life of a man who became a living symbol of yiras Shamayim, nesius b’ol, and ahavas Torah.

From his earliest years in Gateshead, Rav Mattisyahu’s life revolved around learning. His passion for Torah was not just intellectual but deeply emotional. Every sugya, every line of Gemara, every comment of Rishon or Acharon filled him with joy. He lived and breathed Torah learning—and he transmitted that passion to thousands. To hear the Mashgiach speak about Torah was to feel its sweetness. He wanted every bachur, every yungerman, every balebos to discover that same delight, and he dedicated his life to kindling that fire in others.

The Mashgiach never shied away from difficult battles. When the threats of technology began to erode the sanctity of Jewish homes, Rav Mattisyahu sounded the alarm. With courage, clarity, and fatherly concern, he cried out that we must protect our neshamos, our children, and our future. The legendary Asifa at Citi Field, where tens of thousands gathered, was inspired and guided by his leadership. It was his vision that transformed concern into action and placed the challenge of technology at the center of communal awareness.

In the dark days when countless Jews in the Soviet Union were cut off from Torah and mitzvos, Rav Mattisyahu could not remain silent. He joined forces with the Vaad Le’hatzolas Nidchei Yisrael, tirelessly working to bring hope and Torah back to those forgotten souls. His efforts for Russian Jewry—teaching, organizing, traveling, and fundraising—were acts of pure mesirus nefesh.

But with all his responsibilities in the yeshivah and the larger Torah community, Rav Mattisyahu and his Rebbetzin never forgot the individual, with a house open to all who needed them.

This biography does more than tell the story of a great man—it draws the reader close to him through unforgettable vignettes. Each story in this engrossing and inspiring biography shines a light on his character: his humility, his warmth, his clarity of vision, and his boundless love.