Liepāja / Libau / Libava
Born in 5620 (1860) in Kelm, district of Kovna.
He served as rabbi here at the Beit Midrash Anshei Žemaitija.
In 5654 (1894) he emigrated to the United States, and from approximately 5664 served as rabbi at the Beit Midrash Sha'arei Torah in New York.
Brother-in-law of R. Natan Tzvi Finkel of Slobodka.
He passed away on 9 Adar 5678 (21 February 1918) and his resting place is in the Mount Judah Cemetery in Queens, New York.
Torah novellae from him were printed in the monthly collection Yagdil Torah, New York, and in the monthly HaMeasef.
Dorot HaAcharonim, first book (zayin–mem), p. 141. Sefer HaYovel of the Rabbinical Association in the United States and Canada (New York 5688), p. 141.
Here lies \
our father, the rabbi, the Gaon, R. \
Yehuda, son of R. Meir Zaks, of blessed and holy memory. \
A holy and righteous man, foundation of the world. \
No secret escaped him, none was hidden from him. \
A source of living waters — his Torah flowed forth \
and he added instruction and Musar to the listening ear. \
He understood teaching and taught knowledge. \
Weep and mourn, for his sun has set. \
He was gathered to his fathers, 9 Adar, 5678. \
May his soul be bound in the bond of life.
Latvia and Rabbis