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NEWS
HaRav Shmaryahu Yosef Nissim Karelitz zt"l and his Family

by Dei'ah Vedibur Staff

HaRav Nissim Karelitz zt"l
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On 23 Elul/October 22, HaRav Nissim Karelitz, leading posek of the generation, passed away.

He was born on 18 Av, 5686 (1926) in Kosovo, which is now in Belarus. His father was HaRav Nochum Meir who was the rov of the nearby city Maishgulo, a suburb of Vilna, and a talmid of the Chofetz Chaim. His mother was Batya, the daughter of HaRav Shmaryahu Yosef Karelitz and a sister of the Chazon Ish.

Before his bris he was saved by a miracle, so when naming him after his grandfather, his parents added the name "Nissim" to that of his grandfather.

When he was ten years old (1936) his family went to Eretz Yisroel. He became very close to his uncle the Chazon Ish, and followed his advice in many areas, as well as imbibing his way of learning.

He married Leah, the daughter of HaRav Tzvi Hirsch Hacohen Kopschitz, one of the premier families of Yerushalayim shel ma'alah.

In 5722 (1962) he took over the management of Kollel Chazon Ish, after the passing of his father who had been in charge. The Kolel was founded by the Chazon Ish and made specifically for those who do nothing else but learn Torah. Legions of toilers in Torah have been part of the Kollel since its founding in 5702 (1942).

He founded an independent Beis Din in Bnei Brak which became a very important beacon for fidelity to halochoh and fearless adherence to Torah principles.

He served on the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of Agudas Yisroel since 5737, and later joined Degel HaTorah when it was founded in 5749. He was the rov of the Ramat Aharon neighborhood of Bnei Brak since 5736.


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The illustrious family included:

HaRav Shmaryahu Yosef Karelitz zt"l

The Chazon Ish once said of his father: "My father was a living gemara." He said that his father also had extensive knowledge of the hidden Torah. He was the rov of Kosovo. He published a small pamphlet of 42 pages of comments on maseches Chulin called "Beis Talmud." When his mechuton the Cheshek Shlomo saw it, he ran to his son-in-law HaRav Meir Karelitz and said, "You father can learn well; he can learn very well."

The Sons and Sons-in-law

HaRav Meir Karelitz

Despite his greatness in learning and penetrating perception, R' Meir lived very quietly. His words were very measured, but always formulated with depth and understanding.

In Europe he was the rov of Lachovitz. In Eretz Yisroel he was one of the founders of the Vaad Hayeshivos and of Chinuch Atzmai. He also served on the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

The levaya
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HaRav Avrohom Yeshayohu Karelitz, the Chazon Ish zt"l

Rabban shel Yisroel. He laid down the parameters for much of Torah life in Eretz Yisroel. Especially responsible for reestablishing the basic hanhogos in the laws of Zeraim in many areas, that had not been relevant for almost two thousand years. HaRav Eliashiv once said: The main avenue of psak is with the power for sevorah. The only one in our generation who has this Rabbi Nissim and he received it from his uncle the Chazon Ish.

HaRav Yitzchok (Itzele) Karelitz zt"l Hy"d

Very active and well-known in Lithuania and Poland. When he spoke about moving to Eretz Yisroel, the Chazon Ish wondered how he could contemplate such a thing when he knew very well how important he was to European Jewry. He and his family were murdered in Kosovo.

HaRav Moshe Karelitz Hy"d

The youngest brother of the Chazon Ish, who called him the "Prince of Suffering." He published a monthly journal called "Knesses Yisroel" which was very well-regarded for the high level of its content. HaRav Chaim Ozer was a contributor.

HaRav Shmuel Eliahu Kahn Hy"d

At first he was the rov of the chassidim in Ortcha alongside another rov for the misnagdim. However when the latter passed away he was elected rov of the entire community. He stood up to the anti-religious Communists for many years, but was finally murdered by the Germans.

HaRav Shmuel Greineman zt"l

One of the most active and effective askonim of Klal Yisroel in his time. He was trusted by that Chofetz Chaim, HaRav Chaim Ozer and finally by the Chazon Ish, his brother-in-law. He was also known as a great talmid chochom.

HaRav Nochum Meir Tzibolnik-Karelitz zt"l

He brother-in-law, the Chazon Ish, said that he was as humble as Hillel. In order to get Polish citizenship he adopted the name of his father-in-law, Karelitz, and thereafter the family was known by that name. In Lithuania he served as the rov of Maishgulo. He moved to Eretz Yisroel in 1936 and settled in Bnei Brak. When the central shul known as Heligman was founded, he was asked to serve as its first rov.

HaRav Abba Saviatitzky Hy"d

In 1937 he was appointed rov of the celebrated community of Tiktin. The community planned an impressive reception for him on his arrival, but he confounded their plans by showing up two days early. Later he was murdered by the Nazis.

HaRav Yaakov Yisroel Kanievsky, the Steipler Gaon zt"l

Rav and leader of chareidi Jewry, as well as author of the well-known series of Torah commentaries "Kehillos Yaakov." He is also the father of the current leader of Torah Jewry Maran Rabbenu Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky shlita.

The Third Generation: Children of HaRav Meir Karelitz

HaRav Shlomoh Shimshon Karelitz zt"l

One of the great talmidim of Yeshivas Mir in Yerushalayim. He used to speak regularly with Maran HaRav Eliashiv about halachic issues that arose. HaRav Eliashiv had great respect for him and recommended him to others.

HaRav Chaim Shaul Karelitz zt"l

One of the important talmidim of Kamenitz in Europe, he was well-known in Eretz Yisroel. Maran HaRav Shach called upon him to start the kashrus organization of bnei Torah: Shearis Yisroel.

HaRav Shmaryahu Yosef Karelitz zt"l

Served for many years as rov of Brussels, Belgium. A long-time supporter of Kollel Chazon Ish, he also served as a ram in Yeshivas Tiferes Tzion.

HaRav Eliezer Alfa zt"l

A talmid of Novardok, he was a rov in Haifa for many years. He was also involved in kashrus. His son-in-law was HaRav Reuven Fine zt"l, a rosh yeshiva of Torah Vodaas.

HaRav Isser Zabonkin Hy"d

Served as a ram in several Beis Yosef yeshivas in Europe including Oztrovtza and Tomashov. He and his rebbetzin perished in the Holocaust.

HaRav Zalman Rotberg zt"l

Founded Yeshivas Beis Meir along with his brother-in-law HaRav Shlomoh Shimshon Karelitz, named after his father-in-law. He served as its rosh yeshiva for more than forty years, and as a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

Children of HaRav Shmuel Greineman

HaRav Chaim Shaul Greineman zt"l

Educated by his uncle the Chazon Ish, many turned to him for advice and guidance even though he never held a formal position. Published chidushim on most masechtos of Shas and had many talmidim.

HaRav Shmaryahu Greineman zt"l

He was very close to his uncle the Chazon Ish, who entrusted him with overseeing the publication of his Torah. He was very sick for many years.

HaRav Pinchos Dovid Greineman zt"l

A rosh kollel in Yerushalayim, Beis Shmuel, named after his father.

HaRav Meir Greineman shlita yibodel lechayim tovim, is still very active.

HaRav Binyomin Beinush Finkel zt"l

Son of founder of Mir Yerushalayim HaRav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel, he was rosh yeshiva of Mir for many years. His son-in-law HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt"l, who took over after him, expanded the yeshiva immensely.

HaRav Shraga Wilman zt"l

A great talmid chochom, he published many works of Rishonim in modern formats that made them more accessible.

Children of HaRav Nochum Meir Tzibolnik-Karelitz zt"l

HaRav Shmaryahu Yosef Nissim Karelitz zt"l

Great posek and quiet leader.

HaRav Yehoshua Tanchum Karelitz zt"l

A quiet talmid chochom, he was one of the early activists for yeshivas Bein Hazmanim, before the idea caught on so well.

Sons-in-law of the Steipler

HaRav Shaul Barzam zt"l

He was very close to the Chazon Ish. He was niftar relatively young after an illness.

HaRav Mordechai Shlomo Berman zt"l

Very well-liked and respected, he served as a rosh yeshiva of Ponovezh.

 

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