Tribute: Rabbi Mathew Liebenberg Claremont/Cape-Town

Rabbi Isaacson זצ”ל fought for human dignity and longed to see a democratic South Africa. He was an outspoken critic of apartheid and, unfortunately, did not receive the support he would have liked from the Jewish community. He sacrificed greatly to learn Torah at a very high level by travelling to Yeshiva overseas (Telz in the USA) when it was not at all fashionable to do so. He had a great love of music and superb knowledge of Nusach. My fondest memory of Rabbi Isaacson זצ”ל was a drosha he gave one Shabbat at the Yeshiva Gedolah of Joannesburg. He spoke about the Ramban’s מנבל ברשות התורה and his commanding style of speaking, excellent diction and extensive vocalbury was riveting. He taught his sons R Yoni and Ariel to be critical thinkers rather than following the masses and accepting the status quo. יהי זכרו ברוך