Memory Lane: Rav Meir Yehoshua Peikes

Standing on Principle 

Rav Meir Yehoshua was born to his father Reb Binyomin Peikes in the city of Lomza in the year 1867. He was a brilliant child, and while we do not know in which yeshivos he learned, we do know that he received semicha from Rav Yaakov Dovid Wilovsky of Slutzk, known as the Ridbaz (interestingly, the two would have reunited in New York, during Ridbaz’ visit here in 1900), and from Rav Yitzchok Elchonon Spektor. At the same time, he received a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Krakow, and spoke seven languages. 

He married Rachel Cohen of Lomza, and the couple set sail for America, arriving in 1884. With the founding of Kehillas Jeshurun on the Upper East Side in 1885, the community appointed the brilliant young man as its rov. 

According to his family, Rabbi Peikes refused a salary from the shul, so he would not be tempted to compromise on his beliefs. This would turn out to be a prophetic decision. His family also relates that the Rabbonim of Europe entrusted him with the mission of founding yeshivos in America, which he did with the establishment of Yeshiva Eitz Chaim (later RIETS), and he would later be instrumental in Boro Park’s yeshivos as well. 

To support himself, Rabbi Peikes operated a jewelry company M.J. Peikes & Son, on Canal Street in Lower Manhattan. 

An Address for Communal Needs 

Having retired, the family moved uptown to Harlem, and from there to Boro Park. Tragedy struck when Rachel was niftar at the young age of 32, and Rabbi Peikes was left to care for his young family, in addition to his business and communal duties.  

Rav Peikes was a well-known address in Boro Park for those within the community, as well as those on faraway shores. As the chairman of the Boro Park Vaad Hakashrus, we find the following notice in the local Yiddish paper: “The Vaad Hakashrus notifies all butchers who believe that they can satisfy all the regulations of the Vaad, that they may come to the office of the Vaad in its temporary office in Congregation Shomrei Emunah, 14th Avenue and 52nd Street, every evening from 8:00-10:00. A committee of Rabbonim will sit there, M.J. Peikes, chairman.  

But when Yidden internationally wanted to get word to their brethren in Boro Park, Rabbi Peikes was once again the address, as we read in a published letter from Rav Moshe Mordechai Epstein in 1916: “Slabodka Yeshiva asks for support,” in which the Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka petitions American Jewry through Rabbi Peikes to support the yeshiva as it was in the throes of the effects of WWI. 

A Historic Final Farewell 

“Rabbi Peikes Dead,” announced the Brooklyn Times Union, Funeral Tomorrow for leader of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation,” it said, alluding to his former post. “Rabbi Meyer J. Peikes of 1611 45th Street, well known in Borough Park, died yesterday in Israel Zion Hospital. He was an organizer and director of the hospital and of the Hebrew Institute (most likely referring to Yeshiva Eitz Chaim of Borough Park), and Machzikei Talmud Torah. 

“He was for twenty years Rabbi of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun and chief Rabbi of the Vaad Hakashres. He was born in Russia 62 years ago. Funeral services will be held at the home tomorrow noon. Burial will be in Union Field Cemetery.” 

This announcement may have undersold the historic outpouring that was to unfold the following day, as thousands of people—led by New York’s most distinguished rabbonim—poured out onto the streets of Boro Park. 

The aron of Rav Peikes was taken from one corner of Boro Park, beginning at Cong. Anshei Lubavitch on 12th Avenue and 41st Street, where respects were given, to the Machzikei Talmud Torah, in which he had been so instrumental. From there, it proceeded to the Sfardishe Shul on 14th Avenue, where rabbonim delivered eulogies, and onto Temple Emanuel. It was then brought into the niftar’s own Shomrei Emunah, and from there to Congregation Bnei Yehuda, and and finally to Temple Beth El. At every stop, eulogies and askoros were delivered. 

Many followed the aron to Union Field Cemetery, where more hespedim were delivered, and where he was interred alongside his fellow Rabbonim of America of yore.