In the weeks since the passing of Rabbi Gedalia Dov Rabbi Schwartz, tributes have been pouring in for this modern-day rabbinic sage who graced our Chicago community for more than 30 years.

Born in Newark, N.J., educated in public elementary and high schools, Rabbi Schwartz continued his education at Yeshiva University, ultimately rising to the heights of Jewish scholarship, halachic leadership, and communal responsibility.

Rabbi Schwartz – who died on Dec. 9 – was the Av Beth Din, the Chief Judge of the Ecclesiastical Court of the Chicago Rabbinical Council, and the national Beth Din of America. He was the halachic decisor of renown who dealt with Jewish law’s most complex issues from conversion to technology, divorce, kashrut, and matters of ritual for Jewish members of the armed forces.

He was larger than life, and until his debilitating stroke four years ago, Rabbi Schwartz’s presence was sufficient to add dignity and distinction to any gathering. In his honor, the Chief Rabbis of Israel traveled to Chicago to dedicate the Beth Din chambers and celebrate his milestone birthday. In his honor, his alma mater, Yeshiva University, granted him not only an honorary doctorate but recognized him with its highest honor, the Harav Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik, Aluf Torah Award.

His knowledge was vast not only of rabbinic literature, where he was known to recall an obscure responsum that dealt with precisely the issue at hand but literature, culture, language, and history. He could not only deliver an in-depth Talmudic analysis to learned rabbis but also a lecture on the distinction between Shakespeare’s and Marlowe’s image of the Jew. His talks to the laity on history and personalities were legend, and his ability to, without warning, begin to speak in Latin or French astounding.

We often commented that Rabbi Schwartz knew about every significant Jewish figure in history, but he could also tell you the names of their siblings and maybe even their zip code.

But Rabbi Schwartz’s greatness found its most profound expression in his humanity. He understood the needs of the widow, the orphan, and the stranger. Despite his long flowing white beard, Rabbi Schwartz was a man of the modern world, who could discuss American history and politics, discuss literature, and find ways to make others feel at ease. On our JUF rabbinic missions, Rabbi Schwartz not only enlightened all the rabbis with his knowledge but charmed them.

For members of the Orthodox rabbinate, Rabbi Schwartz was a ” baal mesorah ” – a master of tradition who connected us to the great rabbinic minds of the past and taught us by example what it means to lead with conviction, dignity, and grace.

Rabbi Schwartz did not compromise, but he did find ways to resolve differences through his warmth and solve halachic challenges through his mastery of the sources. He was neither lenient nor strict. Instead, he was ” yashar ,” a term that means straight but includes being upright and being an ultimate mensch.

So many members of the non-Orthodox clergy were drawn to Rabbi Schwartz because he was authentic, genuine, open, and engaging.

To Rabbi Schwartz, every human being was precious and created in the image of God, and every Jew was respected because we are members of the very same family. This was evident in the way Rabbi Schwartz built bridges working with Jews on the right and left, and fielding questions from Jews around the world.

He also supported the efforts of the Jewish United Fund of Chicago. “In addition to being a brilliant rabbinical scholar, Rabbi Rabbi Schwartz always put the needs of others first,” said Dr. Steven B. Nasatir, JUF Executive Vice Chairman. “All who knew him learned from him. He was a community treasure.”

Rabbi Schwartz was a one-of-a-kind rabbi. A man who taught us by every move he made. And who brought pride and dignity to our world. He was, as I described in my eulogy for him, a walking ” kiddush Hashem ,” a man who sanctified God through his own life.

He was larger than life while being so much a part of our lives. He was a blessing to us all, and may his memory continue to be a blessing.

To read Rabbi Matanky’s eulogy on Rabbi Schwartz, visit bit.lyrabbiRabbi Schwartzeulogy.

Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Ph.D., is the Dean of Ida Crown Jewish Academy and Rabbi of Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park.