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Chaim Kanievsky

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Rabbi
Chaim Kanievsky
חיים קניבסקי
Personal life
BornShmaryahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky
שמריהו יוסף חיים קַניֶבסקִי
(1928-01-08)January 8, 1928
Pinsk, Poland (now Belarus)
DiedMarch 18, 2022(2022-03-18) (aged 94)
Bnei Brak, Israel
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1951; died 2011)​
Children8[1]: 24 
Parents
Religious life
ReligionJudaism

Shemaryahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky (Hebrew: שמריהו יוסף חיים קַניֶבסקִי; January 8, 1928 – March 18, 2022) was an Israeli Haredi rabbi and posek.[2] He was a leading authority in Haredi Jewish society on legal and ethical practice.[3][4][5][6] Known as the Gadol HaDor ("greatest of his generation")[7] and the "Prince of Torah", much of his prominence came through Torah education and advice about Jewish law.[8][9]

Though Kanievsky held no formal community-wide post,[10] he was the de facto head of the Litvak community of Haredi Judaism, revered as a consummate scholar of Jewish law and tradition, with unimpeachable rulings.[11]

Biography

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Kanievsky was born in Pinsk, then part of Poland, as the eldest son of Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky and Pesha Miriam, sister of Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz. On 1 Nisan 1934, he emigrated with his family to Bnei Brak in Mandatory Palestine.[citation needed]

On 7 Kislev 5712 (December 1951), Kanievsky married Batsheva Esther, daughter of Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.[citation needed]

In the late 1970s, Kanievsky edited the Tevuna commentary on the Jerusalem Talmud by Yitzchak Eizik Krasilschikov.[12][13]

Death and funeral

[edit]
Funeral for Kanievsky in March 2022

Kanievsky died from cardiac arrest at his home on Friday, 15 Adar II 5782 (March 18, 2022).[14]

His funeral was held two days later, on Sunday, 17 Adar II 5782 (March 20, 2022), in Bnei Brak. The funeral procession covered approximately one kilometer, beginning at his home on Rashbam Street and ending at the Shomrei Shabbos cemetery. According to the Israel Police, around 500,000 people attended, while the Bnei Brak Municipality estimated up to 750,000 participants, making it the second-largest funeral in Israel's history.[15] The funeral received extensive advance coverage due to concerns about the large turnout and its potential impact on infrastructure and services in Gush Dan.[16]

After his death, a dispute arose among his three sons over his estate. Following mediation conducted by the Beit Din Tzedek of Bnei Brak, an agreement was reached for equal division.[17]

Leadership in the Litvak community

[edit]
US Ambassador to Israel Thomas R. Nides visiting Kanievsky's home, December 2021

Kanievsky's public involvement began with the founding of the Degel HaTorah party in 1988.[18] Elazar Shach invited him to appear by his side at the party's founding gathering at International Convention Center and included him in his travels to the event in Jerusalem. During an election rally held afterward, Shach requested that Kanievsky be brought from his home before he spoke, and he dedicated part of his speech to praising him and emphasizing the obligation to obey his directives.[19] Among other things, Shach said about him:

"He is the greatest we have in the world."[20]

When the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah was formed, Kanievsky was asked to join. After he refused, Shach instructed that he be added alongside his father-in-law, Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, as a "non-member with an opinion," whose views should be considered even if he did not participate in the council's meetings.[21]

During the Gulf War, it was stated in his name that no missiles would fall on Bnei Brak, based on a similar statement by his uncle Avrohom Karelitz.[22] A similar assurance was issued in his name during the 2012 Gaza War.[23]

Kanievsky (second from left) at a Degel HaTorah conference, next to Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and Elazar Shach (1990).

In 2013, when the Jerusalem Faction ran in the 2013 Israeli municipal elections in three cities against Degel HaTorah, Kanievsky attended a council meeting to publicly support Degel HaTorah. During this time, he harshly criticized supporters and voters of the Bnei Torah party, calling them "empty and reckless dissenters."[24] After the elections, he advised many to separate from Bnei Torah supporters in educational institutions and communities.

Kanievsky with Moshe Sternbuch

After his father-in-law died Kanievsky's involvement in the leadership of the Litvak community increased, and he supported the leadership actions of Aharon Leib Shteinman. During Elyashiv's last illness, a handwritten letter by Kanievsky was published in Yated Ne'eman, stating:

The leadership of the generation is now entrusted to the great Gaon, Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman, may he live many good days, whose actions are all for the sake of Heaven. And now we are fortunate that our great teacher, under the direction of my father-in-law, took upon himself the entire management of Yated Ne'eman, which my father established together with our great teacher Rabbi Elazar Menachem Shach of blessed memory.[25]

After Shteinman's death in December 2017, Kanievsky's role in leading the Litvak Haredi community affiliated with Degel HaTorah increased. Alongside him in leadership stood Gershon Edelstein, head of Ponevezh Yeshiva, who led the party's Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. From Adar 5778, Yated Ne'eman referred to him as "Rabban Shel Kol Bnei HaGolah" (meaning "Leader of all the Children of the Diaspora," a title reserved for the highest leader). In October 2018, before the 2018 Israeli municipal elections, he again participated in a Council of Torah Sages meeting.[26]

Rulings and opinions

[edit]
Kanievsky in 2014

Kanievsky took great effort to uphold the rulings and positions of Avrohom Karelitz, including: not relying on the heter mechira during the Shmita, prohibiting the use of electricity and water supplied through Shabbat desecration, not relying on city eruvs due to the difficulty of monitoring them from week to week, reading the Book of Esther in Bnei Brak also on Shushan Purim out of doubt, and more.[27]

To many visitors, Kanievsky instructed growing a beard and placing payot in front of the ears,[28] prohibiting men from wearing watches due to the prohibition of cross-dressing in halakha,[29] wearing long-sleeved shirts,[30] writing Torah compositions,[31] and more.

He frequently advised people with various health issues to study Torah related to the nature of their ailment, either by its name or its content.[32]

Another prominent practice of his was encouraging early marriage around the age of eighteen, a practice followed by many of his grandchildren.[33]

In 2012, Kanievsky ruled that it is forbidden to possess or use a smartphone without individual permission from a posek, and that owners are not allowed to sell their phones, but should instead burn them.[34][35][36][37][38] In 2015, he instructed United Hatzalah paramedics that in the event of a terrorist attack, they should not treat the terrorists before the victims, even if the terrorist is more seriously injured, and they may even leave the terrorist to die.[39][40]

In 2016, Kanievsky declared that medical cannabis was kosher for Passover as long as the possession of the cannabis is not in violation of the law of the land.[41]

In 2011, he interpreted Arab Spring uprisings as evidence that the Messiah may be near.[42] In 2015, following the 2014 Jerusalem synagogue attack, he repeatedly referred to the imminent arrival of the Messiah, and urged diaspora Jews to make aliyah (immigrate to Israel), reportedly resulting in the arrival of a substantial number of French Jews.[43][44] In February 2020, shortly before the Israeli legislative elections, it was reported by one rabbi that Kanievsky had stated that the coming of the Messiah was possibly imminent.[45]

In 2017, Kanievsky ruled that reporting instances of sexual child abuse to the police is mandatory, consistent with halakha (Jewish law).[46][47]

Covid-19

[edit]
Kanievsky in December 2021

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel (March 2020) and despite the Ministry of Health’s directive to close all educational institutions, Kanievsky instructed that yeshivas and Talmud Torahs remain open, saying the neglect of Torah was more dangerous.[48][49] Kanievsky told his followers that the best ways to defeat the virus were to avoid lashon hara (gossiping about one's peers), to strengthen humility, and to place the needs of others before their own.[50] As a result of the discussion, he was visited, on March 15, by senior police officials who, with great respect, wanted to ask him of the importance of following the orders of medical professionals with regard to the outbreak.[50]

On March 29, after the ultra-Orthodox community was hit hard by the virus,[51] with Bnei Brak having a high percentage of coronavirus cases in Israel, relative to its population,[52] Kanievsky ruled that one who does not follow the Israeli Health Ministry's guidelines on COVID-19 is in the position of a rodef, i.e., one who pursues another with intent to kill, a murderer.[53][54] He also ruled that telephones may be answered on Shabbat to get COVID-19 test results, and that minyanim must not meet at all during the pandemic – a stricter requirement than the Health Ministry's rules, which at the time allowed congregations to meet outdoors as long as participants are at least two meters (6 feet) distant from each other.[55]

On October 2, 2020, Kanievsky was diagnosed with COVID-19.[56] On October 28, 2020, his physician said Kanievsky had recovered from the virus.[57]

In June 2021, he urged everyone, including ages 12–15, to get vaccinated against COVID-19.[58][59]

During the second wave of the pandemic (October 2020), it was publicized in his name that the Talmud Torahs should reopen, contrary to government guidelines prohibiting it.[60]

Responsa books from his answers

[edit]

Kanievsky extensively responded to those who sought his guidance across all Torah topics. However, he generally based his answers on the rulings of earlier sages and rarely issued new decisions. His responses were typically brief, often consisting of only a few words.[61] From his written and spoken responses, an extensive literature of responsa has developed. Around one hundred books include his answers to questions posed by authors. Some notable books dedicated to his responsa include:

  • Daat Nota – A compilation of halachic answers organized according to the order of the Mishnah Berurah, with additional notes and clarifications from Kanievsky, as well as cross-references to other poskim added by an editorial team led by his son Yitzchak Shaul. Three volumes, 2009–2016. The series is expected to include around ten volumes.[62]
  • Derech Sichah – Questions on various topics arranged by the weekly Torah portion, compiled by his student Eliyahu Man (based on his weekly Shabbat meal discussions with Kanievsky), two volumes.
  • Shama Tefilati – Explanations on the order of prayers based on his answers to Tzvi Yabrov, Bnei Brak, 2008.[63]

In 2012, a book titled Me’Achorei HaPargod was published, featuring Torah insights and sayings on various topics from him and Rabbi Steinman.

Additionally, a weekly Shabbat bulletin called Divrei Shi’ach was published, containing responses and words of Torah from him over the past week.[64]

Family

[edit]
Kanievsky with his sons, Avraham Yeshayahu and Yitzchak Shaul
Kanievsky with his son, Avraham Yeshayahu

Kanievsky was married to Batsheva Kanievsky, daughter of Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, and was the father of five daughters and three sons. Two of his brothers-in-law are Yitzchok Zilberstein and Ezriel Auerbach.[citation needed]

Further reading

[edit]
  • Gedalia Honigsberg, in Minchat Todah (2014) – On Kanievsky's customs.
  • Gedalia Honigsberg, The Obligations – On Kanievsky's learning regimen, Adar I 5776.
  • Rabbi Chaim – Biography and stories, Adar I 5776.
  • A Narrow Portion of the Divine (2016) – On Kanievsky's halakhic customs.
  • Raphael HaLevi, Gadol Bekirbecha, a collection of stories, Adar II 5776.
  • Shlomo Levenstein, U’Matok HaOr – Insights of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, Sivan 5782.

Notes

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References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Weinberger, Naftali; Weinberger, Naomi; Indig, Nina (2012). Scherman, Nosson; Zlotowitz, Meir (eds.). Rebbetzin Kanievsky: A Legendary Mother to All (2nd ed.). Mesorah Publications. ISBN 9781422612064. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  2. ↑ "About Rabbi Chaim". Nerechad.org. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  3. ↑ Weinberger, Naftali (2023). Rav Chaim: The Life and Legacy of the Sar HaTorah Rav Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky. ArtScroll. ISBN 9781422632871.
  4. ↑ "שקל שקל הישועות של גדול הדור הרב חיים קנייבסקי שליטא הישועות של גדול הדור הרב חיים קנייבסקי שליטא". אחינו (in Hebrew). May 22, 2018. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  5. ↑ "ArtScroll.com – A Gadol in Our Time: Stories about Rav Chaim Kanievsky". www.artscroll.com.
  6. ↑ "Recommendations by the Gadol Hador, Rav Chaim Kanievsky, To Merit Children – Aish Haolam". Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Jerusalem Talmud With Kanievsky Handwritten Notes Now Online at the National Library of Israel". www.nli.org.il. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  8. ↑ Hanau, Shira (March 18, 2022). "Chaim Kanievsky, Haredi Orthodox Rabbi known as "Prince of Torah" ("שר התורה"), dies at 94". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  9. ↑ Kingsley, Patrick (January 29, 2021). "He Is Israel's "Prince of Torah". But to Some, He Is the King of Covid". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  10. ↑ Kingsley, Patrick (March 20, 2022). "Revered Jewish Sage Buried in One of the Largest Gatherings in Israel's History". New York Times.
  11. ↑ "Israel: Hundreds of thousands attend ultra-Orthodox rabbi's funeral". DW.COM. March 20, 2022. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  12. ↑ Maariv, Naftali Kraus, The "Jerusalem Talmud" Smuggled from Moscow Arrives in Bnei Brak, November 24, 1978.
  13. ↑ Maariv, Mordechai Elkan, New Edition of the Jerusalem Talmud: Without Censorship – and with Commentary from Moscow, January 15, 1980.
  14. ↑ Maariv Online, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky Passed Away at 94, March 18, 2022.
  15. ↑ Haaretz, Rabbi Kanievsky's Funeral Ends; Police Estimate Half a Million Attended; YouTube, Half a Million Funeral – From the Other Side with Guy Zohar – March 21, 2022; Srugim, Uriel Barri, The Largest in History? How Many Were at Rabbi Kanievsky's Funeral?, March 21, 2022.
  16. ↑ Behadrei Haredim, Yossi Stark, Unusual Coverage of Rabbi Kanievsky's Funeral: How Many Attended?, March 21, 2022; Ynet, Liran Levi, One Kilometer Long, Under Heavy Security, with a Million Expected to Attend: Rabbi Kanievsky's Funeral Procession, March 19, 2022; Ynet, Ynet Staff, Ahead of Kanievsky's Funeral: Fears of a Mass-Casualty Event; Traffic Is Flowing, March 20, 2022.
  17. ↑ Menachem Rehat, Inheritance Dispute Over Rabbi Kanievsky's Estate Valued in the Millions Ends with Equal Division Agreement, Matzav HaRuach Issue 696.
  18. ↑ Title Rosh Ha'ayin, Moshe Horowitz, Against Greater Israel, October 12, 1988, p. 31; HaHadashot, Amnon Levy, War of the Day, Not Shas, Not Aguda, October 10, 1988, p. 92.
  19. ↑ Shimon Breitkopf and Yisrael Grobais, Mighty in His Kingdom, Mishpacha Issue 1351 – Pesach 5778.
  20. ↑ Kikar HaShabbat, Yisrael Cohen, Rabbi Shach on Rabbi Chaim: "The Greatest We Have in the World," 16 October 2013.
  21. ↑ Council of Torah Sages establishment protocol in Mighty in His Kingdom, Mishpacha Issue 1351 – Pesach 5778.
  22. ↑ Maariv, Menachem Rehat, Psalms Against Missiles, February 22, 1991, p. 96.
  23. ↑ Ynet, Tali Farkash, Rabbi Kanievsky: Missiles Will Not Fall on Bnei Brak, November 19, 2012.
  24. ↑ Bhadrei Haredim, Sari Roth, "Rabbi A.Y.L. and Rabbi Chaim Publish Letters Against 'Bnei Torah,'" October 21, 2013.
  25. ↑ Kikar HaShabbat, Chaim Shkedi, "Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky: 'The Generation's Leadership is Entrusted to Rabbi Shteinman,'" 11 June 2012.
  26. ↑ Yerucham Shmuelovitz, "The Council of Torah Sages of Degel HaTorah Convened – No Support for Meir Rubinstein," at LaDa'at website.
  27. ↑ Yitzchak Silman, "The Chazon Ish and Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky: United in Life and Death," JDN, March 9, 2023.
  28. ↑ Kikar HaShabbat, Yisrael Cohen, "Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky: 'Move the Sidelocks Forward – and You Will Heal.'
  29. ↑ Kikar HaShabbat, Yisrael Cohen, "Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky: Wearing a Watch is Forbidden Due to 'Cross-Dressing.'
  30. ↑ Dirshu, Yaakov A. Lustigman, "Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky: 'Start Wearing Long-Sleeved Shirts, and Everything Will Be Fine.'
  31. ↑ YouTube, "Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky to His Student: Publish Fat Books, Not Such Thin Ones."
  32. ↑ Naama Green, "With Segulah: Segulot from Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky," Hidabroot, May 10, 2016.
  33. ↑ Bhadrei Haredim, Moshe Weisberg, "Historic Precedent: The Greats of Israel in Favor of Early Marriage • The Full Letter," July 15, 2015.
  34. ↑ Ari, Judah (September 23, 2012). "Burn your iPhones, top rabbi orders". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Apple's Jerusalem Problem". The Huffington Post. December 3, 2012. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  36. ↑ Jeffay, Nathan (September 18, 2013). "Kosher Smart Phone Arrives as Ultra-Orthodox Tech Taboo Shifts – News –". Forward.com. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  37. ↑ Ravid, Barak (April 7, 2014). "Haredi users of "non-kosher" phones revealed through security loophole". Haaretz. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Rabbi: Never Marry a Man With an iPhone – Israel Today | Israel News". Israel Today. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  39. ↑ Baruch, Hezki (December 31, 2015). "Rabbi Kanievsky instructs paramedics: Don't save terrorists". Israel National News. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  40. ↑ Cohen, Dan (March 23, 2016). "Israeli medics are leaving wounded Palestinians to bleed to death". Mondoweiss.net. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  41. ↑ Vulliamy, Elsa (April 22, 2016). "Marijuana is kosher for Passover, leading rabbi rules". The Independent. Archived from the original on February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  42. ↑ Nahshoni, Kobi (February 23, 2011). "Ynetnews Jewish Scene – 'Arab unrest signals Messiah's coming'". Ynetnews. Ynetnews.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  43. ↑ "Leading Israeli Rabbi Kanievsky Gives New Clue to Final Messianic Coming – Israel News". Breakingisraelnews.com. August 19, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  44. ↑ Berkowitz, Adam Eliyahu (July 3, 2015). "Leading Israeli Rabbi Says the Arrival of the Messiah is Imminent". Breaking Israel News | Latest News. Biblical Perspective. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  45. ↑ Jones, Ryan (February 20, 2020). "Israeli Rabbi Says He's Already Holding Meetings With Messiah". Israel Today. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Leading Haredi rabbi says sexual abuse should be reported to police". Jpost.com. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  47. ↑ ralph (February 26, 2015). "Video: Rav Chaim Kanievsky on Molester: "Logically, He Should Be Reported to Police"". Matzav.com. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  48. ↑ Sarugim, "Despite the Coronavirus at the Ponevezh Yeshiva, They Study as Usual," March 15, 2020.
  49. ↑ Bhadrei Haredim, Moshe Weisberg, "First Report: The Order Continues; Rabbi Chaim to Yeshivas: 'Continue Learning,'" March 15, 2020.
  50. 1 2 Magid, Jacob (March 15, 2020). "Police bid to convince rabbi to close yeshivas as his sect defies virus rules". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  51. ↑ Rabinowitz, Aaron (April 1, 2020). "One Third of Coronavirus Tests in ultra-Orthodox City in Central Israel Return Positive". Haaretz. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  52. ↑ "Bnei Brak is turning into Italy, almost every Chareidi is infected". The Yeshiva World. March 29, 2020. Archived from the original on April 6, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  53. ↑ "הרבֿ חיים קניבסקי שליט״א גיט פּסקים וועגן קאָראָנאַ־ווירוס". The Forward (in Hebrew). March 30, 2020. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  54. ↑ Kikar HaShabbat, David Cohen, "Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky Ordered Praying Individually: 'Pikuach Nefesh,'" March 29, 2020.
  55. ↑ Rabinowitz, Aaron (March 30, 2020). "Israel's prominent rabbi orders praying alone to stem coronavirus spread in Haredi community". Haaretz. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  56. ↑ "Top ultra-Orthodox Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, 92, tests positive for coronavirus". The Times of Israel. October 2, 2020. Archived from the original on December 24, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  57. ↑ "Prominent ultra-Orthodox rabbi Kanievsky free from coronavirus, says doctor". The Times of Israel. October 28, 2020. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  58. ↑ Elad Huminer, "Rabbi Kanievsky Calls on Youth to Get Vaccinated," on the Kipa website.
  59. ↑ Greenwood, Hanan (November 26, 2021). "Haredi sage Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky endorses COVID vaccination for kids". Israel Hayom. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  60. ↑ Globes, Danny Zaken, "The Leader of the Lithuanian Community, Rabbi Kanievsky, Ordered the Talmud Torahs to Open Tomorrow," October 17, 2020.
  61. ↑ Example response regarding the Messiah's lineage.
  62. ↑ Kikar HaShabbat, Shlomo Barzel, "70,000 Letters Compiled for Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky's Responsa," June 26, 2009.
  63. ↑ HebrewBooks, 52835, Shama Tefilati.
  64. ↑ Clarification needed: from which year was this published?
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