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Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz

Born January 1, 1878(1878-01-01)
Kosava, Belarus
Died January 1, 1953 (aged 75)
Bnei Brak, Israel
Resting place Bnei Brak
Other names Avrohom Yishayahu Karelitz
Occupation Rabbi
Religion Haredi Orthodox Judaism

Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz, (1878-1953), popularly known by the name of his magnum opus Chazon Ish, was a Belarusian born Orthodox rabbi who became leader of Haredi Judaism in Israel, where his final 20 years, from 1933 to 1953, were spent.

Birth and Youth

Born in Kosava (now Brest Voblast), Karelitz was sent as a youth to study under Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk. He did not take to the Brisker method of study, and later it became clear that he opposed it as a method of study. After two years, he returned home and continued his education, learning with his father who was head of the local Beth din.

Emigration to Palestine

He moved to Vilna in about 1920, and became close to Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, consulting with him in all religious and communal matters. Encouraged by Grodzinski and with Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook’s help, the Chazon Ish settled in Palestine in 1933. His house in Bnei Brak became the address for thousands who sought his guidance.

Karelitz manifested unusual talent and diligence from an early age. He devoted his life to the study of the Torah and Talmud, while simultaneously gaining knowledge in exterior sciences as astronomy, anatomy, mathematics, and botany. After his marriage, he continued to lead an extremely modest life, his wife providing for their needs while he spent day and night in deep Talmudic study. He did not have any children.

The reputation of the Chazon Ish for saintliness and knowledge was widespread and people from all walks of life would frequent his home, for scholarly discussions or to seek advice on religious, business, or personal problems, or simply to receive his blessing.

Influence

Holding no official position, the Chazon Ish nevertheless became a recognized worldwide authority on all matters relating to Jewish law and life. He was not appointed as communal leader, yet he exerted an enormous influence on the life and institutions of religious Jewry, especially in Israel. He did not publish many responsa, but became a supreme authority on halakha.

He declined to participate in any of the religious-political movements which were very active prior to, and during the formation of the State of Israel in 1948. Yet, he had an immense influence on Haredi Judaism in Israel, whose formative period coincided with his years in Israel.

In recognition of his deep insight and broad awareness and interest in many fields of study, many sought his guidance on social and political issues. David Ben-Gurion, the prime minister of Israel, and Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, who became the second president of Israel, visited him once to discuss political-religious issues. The story is told that the Chazon Ish argued that the secular community's needs should defer to those of the religious community. He used the Talmudic discussion (Sanhedrin 32b) of two camels which meet on a narrow mountain pass as a metaphor. A camel without goods was expected to defer to a camel laden with goods; similarly, the Chazon Ish contended secular society should defer to religious society, which bore the "goods" of tradition. [1]

(To this Ben-Gurion is said to have responded that the "secular" camel was not in fact "without goods", since secular Zionism had led to the establishment of a state and the physical protection of Israelis. The Chazon Ish is said to have replied that this was unimportant, when combined with widespread rejection of Jewish tradition. The story is often misquoted to be about two wagons not two camels; however, the Talmud mentions camels, and witnesses at the meeting have said that the Chazon Ish quoted the Talmud correctly. Some say that this story is inconsistent with Chazon Ish's devout personality, as he was one to show respect to others, even when he disagreed with them.)

Works

In 1911 he published his first work on Orach Chayim and other parts of the Shulchan Aruch in Vilna, anonymously under the title Chazon Ish, meaning "Vision of Man", the word Ish alluding to the first letters of his two names, the title by which he became almost exclusively known.

Although essentially an academic scholar, he applied himself to practical problems, devoting much effort to the strengthening of religious life and institutions. His rulings on the use of the milking machine on Shabbat and on cultivation by hydroponics during the sabbatical year are two illustrations of his practical approach. A model of modesty and kindness, the Chazon Ish wrote over 40 books in clear Hebrew, in polished and precise style, which are models of lucidity and brilliance.

In contrast to other great Achronim such as R' Chaim Soloveitchik, the Chazon Ish is known for avoiding formulaic or methodical analysis of Talmudic passages, instead preferring a more varied and intuitive approach similar to that of the Rishonim. The Chazon Ish also discounted the need to delve into Mussar as a formal study, feeling that a life dedicated to Torah would guide one toward the proper path. He particularly rejected elements of the Novardok philosophy, such as their extreme self-effacement and anti-social behaviors.

The true legacy of the Chazon Ish is the promotion of clarity in Talmud study, devotion in the worship of God, and loving-kindness in human interactions.

In one of his regular lectures, Rabbi Aharon Leib Steinman spoke about studying Kabbalah, and related that the Chazon Ish had vast knowledge in Kabbalah. The Chazon Ish studied with a secret kabbalist known as “The Baker of Kosovo.” [1]

Biography

A powerfully moving (though fictionalized) portrait of Chazon Ish by his onetime disciple, the Yiddish poet and novelist Chaim Grade, is to be found in Grade's epic novel "Tsemakh Atlas: Di Yeshive" (New York & Los Angeles: Yiddish Natzyonaln Arbeiter Farband, 1967-1968); translated in English as "The Yeshiva" [Curt Leviant, tr.] (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1976-1977). Chazon Ish appears there as "Rav Yeshayahu Kossover."

A number of multi volume biographies have been published about the Chazon Ish, including "Pe'er Hador", and the more recent "Maaseh Ish".

Bibliography

• Chazon Ish. Faith & Trust. Translated by Y. Goldstein. Am Asefer.2008. ISBN 978-965-7452-00-4

References