A huge throng, estimated by police to number fifteen thousand, yesterday faced a two hour session in the glaring sun to pay a last impressive tribute to Rabbi Solomon Poliatchek, internationally famous Talmudic authority, who died on Sunday evening.
Funeral services were conducted from the steps of the Isaac Elchanan Yeshivah, 301 East Broadway, where for the last seven years, Rabbi Poliatchek had been dean of the Talmudic department, while the huge throng stood in silent tribute.
Following the simplicity of the Orthodox ritual, the services were marked by the intense personal grief of all those who participated. Speaker after speaker broke off in the midst of his tribute, while Dr, Bernard Revel, head of the Yeshivah collapsed, after insisting upon completing his "fare well to his friend, associate and teacher."
Throughout the ceremony which continued for an hour and one half, the bier stood on a black covered dais surrounded by a guard of honor consisting of students of the Yeshivah.
As the coffin was transferred from the hearse to the dais a group of twelve boys, pupils of the elementary classes of the Yeshivah, recited the Psalms.
Officially represented at the services were the Hebraic and Talmudic Faculties of the Yeshivah, the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of America, the Orthodox Rabbinic Council of New York, the Alumni of the Yeshivah and the student body.
The coffin, followed by the funeral cortege, was carried on the shoulders of the pallbearers from the Yeshivah to the offices of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis and the Rabbinic Council where brief ceremonies were held.
Tributes to the deceased were paid by Dr. Bernard Revel, Rabbi E. L. Sliver, Rabbi M. S. Margolis, Rabbi J. Konowitz, Rabbi A. D. Burick, Rabbi J.F. Epstein and Rabbi B.Lubovitch, of the Kamenetz Yeshivah of Poland.
All joined in lauding his scholarship, modesty and kindliness. Rabbi Burick declared that with the passing of "Rabbi Poliatchek, America loses its greatest Talmudic Scholar."
His loss to the Yeshivah is irreparable, declared Dr. Revel, "His passing is too poignant a personal grief for me to even attempt to evaluate his worth."
The E1 Mohle Rachamim was chanted by Cantors Rakovsky and Steinberg.
Interment took place at the Beth Judah Cemetery. Rabbi N. Ebin of Alumni Association. Rabbi A. D. Burick and Rabbi S. Levy, officiated, together with William Draisen and Moses Goldberg of the student body.
The widow and two sons and three daughters, all of 1954 Fiftieth Street, Brooklyn, survive.
It is believed that a fund will be provided for the widow and children of Rabbi Poliatchek.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
