Rav Elozor Menachem Mann Shach

Rav Elozor Menachem Mann Shach was born in Vaboilnick, Lithuania, and left for Ponevezh (38 km away) at age seven. He learned in Slabodka under Rav Yechezkel Bernstein (Divrei Yechezkel), then under the Alter (Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel), and developed a close relationship with Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, whose niece he eventually married. In 1927, he served as Rosh Mesivta at Kletzk under Rav Aharon Kotler, holding the same position in Novardok from 1932–34. In 1951, he started his career as Rosh Yeshiva at Ponevezh under Rav Yosef Kahaneman.