From his earliest years, the zest and great capacity for text learning exhibited by Mordechai Marcus was readily apparent. He passed away on April 23.

His teachers at the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School (RJJ) in New York came to respect his inquisitiveness and grasp on the Talmud, attributes that would serve him well for the next decades.

Marcus was known for his breadth of knowledge and expertise across the entire Talmud and Shulchan Aruch (The Code of Jewish Law).

When philanthropist Jerome Schottenstein partnered with Jewish publishing house ArtScroll to publish the 73-volume Schottenstein Edition of the Babylonian Talmud, with a translation and commentary accompanying the classic text, Marcus was hired as an editor and writer on the mammoth project.

He also served for many years as the rabbi of the “Lakewood Minyan” in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. A learner and member of his prayer sessions described him as “a giant of Torah” and a man of high values.

Aside from his wisdom and scholarship, Marcus was known for his exemplary character and unassuming manner.

He is survived by his wife, Devorah, their nine children; and many grandchildren.

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