Chaim Kanievsky

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]

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky חיים קניבסקי‎
Personal life
Born	Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky שמריהו יוסף חיים קַניֶבסקִי‎ (1928-01-08)January 8, 1928 Pinsk, Poland (now Belarus)
Died	March 18, 2022(2022-03-18) (aged 94) Bnei Brak, Israel
Spouse	Batsheva Esther Kanievsky ​ ​ (m. 1951; died 2011)​
Children	8[1]: 24
Parents	Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky (father) (Pesha) Miriam Karelitz (mother)
Religious life
Religion	Judaism

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

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. His father served as his sandek at his brit milah (circumcision) and named him Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim, after both his grandfathers: Shmaryahu Yosef Karelitz, the rabbi of Kosava, and Chaim Peretz Kanievsky. On 1 Nisan 1934, he emigrated with his family to Mandatory Palestine, and they settled in Bnei Brak. Initially, the family resided with his uncle, Avrohom Karelitz, and later moved to an adjacent apartment in the Givat Rokach neighborhood. When Karelitz moved to Zikhron Meir, the Kanievsky family also relocated to be close to him.

He studied at the "Rabbi Akiva – Center" Talmud Torah and at the age of ten began attending Tiferet Tzion Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, where he studied under Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz.^[12] After six years of study at Tiferet Tzion, his father requested he study at Yeshivat Beit Yosef (Bnei Brak), where he learned the Talmudic tractate Yevamot for one semester. He later transferred to Lomza Yeshiva in Petah Tikva, under the leadership of Reuven Katz. At the age of 16.5, the head of the yeshiva testified to his extensive knowledge of three orders of the Talmud, "with foundational and comprehensive understanding of the Rishonim and Acharonim."^[13] In his first year there, at age 17, he completed the entire Babylonian Talmud for the first time. For two years, he attended lectures by Elazar Shach and also learned from Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler in his final year, who had become the head of the yeshiva that same year.^[14] Each week, he returned home for Shabbat to learn with his uncle Avrohom Karelitz. During his studies at Lomza Yeshiva, the 1948 Arab–Israeli War broke out, and all students were drafted to guard the southern front with sticks and stones only. Shmuel Grossbard, appointed as their commander, instructed him to go up with his Talmud to the top of the hill, where he studied until the fighting ended.^[15]

On 7 Kislev 5712 (December 1951), Kanievsky married Batsheva Esther, daughter of Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. The matchmakers were Ben Zion Brook, head of Novardok Yeshiva in Jerusalem, and Avrohom Karelitz, who praised the groom in a letter and titled him "Master of All the Talmud." Reuven Katz officiated the marriage. The couple resided in Petah Tikva for a few months while he continued to study at Lomza Yeshiva. They later moved to Bnei Brak and initially shared an apartment with the families of Nissim Karelitz, Amram Zaks, and Dov Wintroub, with each family occupying a single room and sharing a communal kitchen. Later, they moved to a larger shared apartment with Pinchas Schreiber's family. In Bnei Brak, he studied at the "Ateret Yosef" kollel, which later became known as Kollel Chazon Ish, where he studied for decades.

In the late 1970s, Kanievsky edited the Tevuna commentary on the Jerusalem Talmud by Yitzchak Eizik Krasilschikov.^[16][17]

Although he was a Litvak rabbi, many sought his blessing, a practice more common among Hasidic rebbes. His blessings were famously brief, typically consisting of the words "blessing and success." In the mid-2010s, he even abbreviated it to "BuH" to save time.^[18][19] His blessings were often used to encourage participation in various campaigns, such as fundraising or vaccination drives, in exchange for his blessing.^[20] Many stories circulated of the miracles reportedly brought about by his blessings.^[21]

He served on the rabbinical committee of Mayanei Hayeshua Medical Center.

Death and funeral

Funeral for Kanievsky in March 2022

Kanievsky died from cardiac arrest at his home on Friday, 15 Adar II 5782 (March 18, 2022).^[22]

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.^[23] The funeral received extensive advance coverage due to concerns about the large turnout and its potential impact on infrastructure and services in Gush Dan.^[24]

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.^[25]

Study approach

Kanievsky at home, December 2021

Kanievsky was known for his encyclopedic knowledge, especially in Hazal literature, including minor midrashim rarely studied in mainstream Haredi circles. His study approach was rooted in broad familiarity with texts, cross-referencing sources, and explaining them through comparison. This broad knowledge earned him the title "Minister of Torah" within the Haredi community.^[26]

Kanievsky followed a rigorous study schedule, which he adhered to from his twenties and referred to as "the obligations."^[26] He dedicated primarily the nighttime hours, from midnight until sunrise, to this study. His daily studies included the Babylonian Talmud, Jerusalem Talmud, Tosefta, Maimonides, Arba'ah Turim, Shulchan Aruch, Nevi'im and Ketuvim, and the Zohar. Every day, he studied eight pages of the Babylonian Talmud and the corresponding sections of the Jerusalem Talmud. For tractates not included in the Babylonian Talmud, primarily those in Zeraim, he studied the Jerusalem Talmud at an accelerated pace to complete it in parallel with the Babylonian Talmud. He studied the Arba'a Turim and Shulchan Aruch with their commentaries, completing about five pages per day (in the format of the Vilna edition).^[27] On Fridays, he added the study of twice reading the Torah portion with translation and included related Halakhic Midrashim alongside Biblical commentators from the Rishonim. Each day, he studied Tanna Devei Eliyahu, with a unique addition on Saturday nights.

He would complete the entire Talmud each year, and large crowds would attend the siyum (completion ceremony).^[28] The siyum was scheduled for Erev Pesach to hold a seudat mitzvah in connection with the Fast of the Firstborn that applied to him. In a leap year, when the study load was lighter, he used the extra month to edit and publish a new Torah book he had been working on throughout the year. During his father's lifetime, he would add the title "Rabbi" to his name on the book's opening page; however, after his father's death, he stopped this practice.

Over the years, he studied the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmuds with several chavrutas, including Elazar Zadok Turtzin (with whom he published his work Shoneh Halachot), Chaim Yisrael Shapiro, Avraham Goldschmidt, and Gedalia Nadel.^[29] On Fridays, he had a regular chavruta session with his brother-in-law, Yitzchok Zilberstein. In his later years, he often studied alone, and he would also study the Babylonian Talmud with his son, Yitzchak Shaul.

Kanievsky did not give lectures or public talks except on three occasions each year. On the anniversaries of the passing of Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz and his father, he delivered a Torah lecture based on their study method at the Lederman Synagogue. On the yahrzeit of Elazar Shach, he gave a lesson in Mishnah at his home.

Thousands of letters with questions were sent to him annually, covering all areas of Torah interest. His answers were typically brief, often consisting of just a few words. From his written and oral responses, a large collection of responsa literature developed. Approximately a hundred books contain sections of his responses to various authors' questions.^[30] He frequently remarked that the time spent writing responses to these questions delayed the writing of his own books.^[31]

Leadership in the Litvak community

U.S. 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.^[32] 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.^[33] Among other things, Shach said about him:

"He is the greatest we have in the world."^[34]

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.^[35]

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.^[36] A similar assurance was issued in his name during the 2012 Gaza War.^[37]

Kanievsky on the podium at a conference of Degel HaTorah (second from left), Yad Eliyahu Arena, 1990.
Next to him: Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, Elazar Menachem Man Shach, and Shlomo Shimshon Karlitz.

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."^[38] After the elections, he advised many to separate from Bnei Torah supporters in educational institutions and communities.

Kanievsky with Moshe Sternbuch

After the passing of his father-in-law, Elyashiv, 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.^[39]

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.^[40]

Kanievsky presided over numerous educational institutions and charitable organizations, including Ateret Shlomo, Yissachar B’Ohalecha, Kupat Ha'ir, Vaad Harabanim, Lev L’Achim, and the She'erit Yisrael Badatz. He received hundreds of visitors daily at his home seeking advice and blessings on various matters.

Halachic rulings and guidance

Chaim Kanievsky

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.^[41]

To many visitors, Kanievsky instructed growing a beard and placing payot in front of the ears,^[42] prohibiting men from wearing watches due to the prohibition of cross-dressing in halakha,^[43] wearing long-sleeved shirts,^[44] writing Torah compositions,^[45] 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.^[46]

Another prominent practice of his was encouraging early marriage around the age of eighteen, a practice followed by many of his grandchildren.^[47]

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.^{[48][49][50][51][52]} 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.^[53][54]

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.^[55]

In 2011, he interpreted Arab Spring uprisings as evidence that the Messiah may be near.^[56] 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.^[57][58] 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.^[59]

Covid-19

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.^[60][61] 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.^[62] 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.^[62]

On March 29, after the ultra-Orthodox community was hit hard by the virus,^[63] with Bnei Brak having a high percentage of coronavirus cases in Israel, relative to its population,^[64] 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.^[65][66] 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.^[67]

In June 2021, he urged everyone, including ages 12–15, to get vaccinated against COVID-19.^[68][69]

On October 2, 2020, Kanievsky was diagnosed with COVID-19.^[70] On October 28, 2020, his physician said Kanievsky had recovered from the virus.^[71]

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.^[72]

Responsa books from his answers

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.^[73] 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.^[74]
• 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.^[75]

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.^[76]

Kanievsky customarily signed his books with the initials "ShICh BaHaGRYY", a Hebrew abbreviation of Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim Ben HaGaon Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael.

Family

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, who died in 2011 (5772), and he was the father of eight children—five daughters and three sons. Two of his brothers-in-law are Yitzchok Zilberstein and Ezriel Auerbach. His children are:

• Chana Steinman (died 2014 (5774)) – married to Shraga Noach Steinman, head of Kehillas Yaakov Yeshiva and member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, son of Aharon Yehuda Leib Steinman.^[77]
• Leah Kolodetzky – married to Yitzchak, Magid Meisharim, and receives visitors following her mother's tradition.
• Avraham Yeshayahu – editor of his grandfather Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky's writings, Karyana d'Iggarta and several of his father's books. He co-authored Mussar Av on the laws of the rebellious son (Ben Sorer U’Moreh). Served as the head of Yeshivat Sfat Hayam for baal teshuvas.
• Ruth – married to Yehoshua Tsivion. Authored the book Beit Imi about her mother.
• Shlomo – head of Tiferet Tzion Yeshiva and Kiryat Melech Yeshiva.
• Bracha – married to Zelig Berverman, head of Sadigura yeshivas, Derech Emuna – Lod, and Netivot Yitzchak, and editor of his father-in-law's commentary on Jerusalem Talmud and Masechet Kallah.
• Dina – married to Elazar David Epstein, a head teacher in Torah B’Tifarta Yeshiva and author of Mishnat HaShabbat and Shechitat Chullin.
• Yitzchak Shaul^[78] – son-in-law of Binyamin Beinush Korlansky (son-in-law of Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz), studied with his father and authored parts of his letters. He is the chief editor of Daat Nota, which contains his father's responses according to the order of the Shulchan Aruch. Author of Bar Gibul and Ohel Arai, and editor of Siach Emunah, a commentary compiled from his father's teachings on the laws of Shemitta. His son Yaakov Yisrael managed entry to Kanievsky and served as a liaison between him and political and other figures.^[79][80]

His works

On the Rambam

• Derech Emunah – a work styled after the Mishnah Berurah on Seder Zeraim from the Mishneh Torah by Rambam, 5 volumes.
• Derech Chochmah – a book modeled after the Mishnah Berurah on the laws of the Beit HaMikdash and its vessels from Sefer Avodah in the Mishneh Torah.
• Shekel HaKodesh – commentary on the laws of Shekalim and the laws of Kiddush HaChodesh in the Mishneh Torah.
• BeSha’ar HaMelech – discussions and annotations on the Rambam's introduction to the Mishneh Torah, printed in Siach HaSadeh, part one.
• Kiryat Melech – source annotations on the Mishneh Torah.

Mishnah

• Shaarei Emunah – insights and innovations on the Mishnah in Seder Zeraim.

Tanakh

• Ta’ama D’Kra – innovations on the Tanakh.
• L’Mikhseh Atik – passages in the Tanakh that are obscure, with interpretations by the Hazal.

Talmud

• Commentary on the Jerusalem Talmud – on the tractates of Seder Zeraim, Seder Moed, and the tractates of Yevamot, Ketubot, and Nedarim from Seder Nashim. The commentary was also printed in the Jerusalem Talmud editions by Oz Vehadar (in the 5770 edition up to the end of Seder Moed, and in the 5777 edition with added annotations in Yevamot and Ketubot).
• Siach HaSadeh (part 3) – notes on the order of the Talmud.
• Yishuv HaDaas – explanations on questions the Maharsha stated, "And there is to explain, and investigate carefully," printed as part of Siach HaSadeh, volume two.

Minor tractates

• Emet V’Tzedek – commentary on Tractate Gerim.
• Metzaref U’Metaher – commentary on Tractate Kutim.
• Kinyan HaGuf VeKinyan Perot – commentary on Tractate Avadim.
• Tchelet U’Argaman – commentary on Tractate Tzitzit.
• Tefillah Shel Rosh Tefillah Shel Yad – commentary on Tractate Tefillin.
• Parsha Petucha Parsha S’durah – commentary on Tractate Mezuzah.
• Klaf U’Duchsustus – commentary on Tractate Sefer Torah.
• Commentary on Tractate Kallah Rabbati.

Halacha

• Shoneh Halachos – on Orach Chayim, including a concise ruling of the Mishnah Berurah and Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz, 3 volumes.^[a]

Mussar

Orchot Yosher – Words of Mussar, mainly drawn from the words of Hazal, the Rishonim, and the Acharonim.

Various subjects

• Perek B’Shir – Commentary on Perek Shira.
• Nachal Eitan – Laws of Eglah Arufah.
• Siach HaSadeh, parts 1 and 2 – Laws of tattoos, locust horns, things beneficial for memory.
• Bahir BaShchakim, part 1 – Commentary on Sefer HaBahir.
• Bahir BaShchakim, part 2 – Commentary on Sefer Raziel HaMalakh, Sefer Noah and Sefer Hanokh.

Further reading

• 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

1. In the introduction, the author writes that Elazar Tzodok Turtzin also contributed to the writing, and he also thanks the scholars who provided insights: Shaul Berzom, Aharon Leib Steinman, Dovid Schmidel, and Bezalel Pachtelt.