Shmuel Kamenetsky

Last updated

Rabbi
Shmuel Kamenetsky
Shmuel Kamenetzky.jpg
Shmuel Kamenetsky in 2016
Personal
Born (1924-11-12) November 12, 1924 (age 99)
Tytuvėnai (Tzetivyan), Lithuania
Religion Judaism
NationalityAmerican
SpouseTemi Brooks
Parent(s) Yaakov Kamenetsky and Ettil Kamenetsky
Denomination Orthodox
Alma mater Beth Medrash Govoha, Ner Israel Rabbinical College
OccupationRosh yeshiva
Position Rosh yeshiva
Yeshiva Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia
Residence Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Artistic portrait of Kamenetsky Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky.jpg
Artistic portrait of Kamenetsky

Shmuel Kamenetsky (born November 12, 1924) is an American Haredi rabbi. He is the co-founder and rosh yeshiva (dean) of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. He is also a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah (Council of Torah Sages).

Contents

Early life

Kamenetsky was born in Tytuvėnai, Lithuania to Yaakov Kamenetsky, then that town's rabbi. After the family's emigration in 1937, he attended Eitz Chaim Day Schools in Toronto, [2] then studied at Ner Israel Rabbinical College under his father's cousin, Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman. He went on to study at Lakewood Yeshiva, becoming a primary student of Aharon Kotler, from whom he received rabbinic ordination.

Career

In the mid-1950s, [3] Kotler's colleague Nosson Meir Wachtfogel asked Kamenetsky to help establish a yeshiva in Philadelphia, the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. [4] In 1956 Schwartzman left to open his own yeshiva in Israel, and Kamenetsky chose Elya Svei [5] as co-rosh yeshiva. This arrangement continued until Svei's death in March 2009.

Kamenetsky is a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America [6] [7] and serves on the rabbinical board of organizations including Chinuch Atzmai (Torah Schools for Israel), Torah Umesorah, the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, and the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals.

Opinions

Kamenetsky's opinion is frequently sought and quoted on current issues such as same-sex attraction, [8] child molestation, [9] obesity and dieting, [10] smoking, [11] and drinking alcohol to excess on Purim. [12]

Kamenetsky and his wife Temi believe that vaccines are more harmful than the diseases they prevent. He said, "I see vaccinations as the problem. It's a hoax. Even the Salk vaccine is a hoax. It is just big business". [13] He has supported the idea that a child cannot be refused entry into a school for refusing to vaccinate. [14] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kamenetsky denied that he ever instructed anyone to refuse to take the vaccine, stating that a letter publicized to this effect was a forgery. [15] [16] In a rebuttal letter, he stated his opinion that each individual should ask his own doctor. [17] [18]

In July 2020, Kamenetsky endorsed the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign, stating "Yes, I think people should vote for him. He’s done a good job. It’s hakaras hatov ." [19]

Personal life

Kamenetsky's wife, Temi, was the daughter of Mordechai Brooks, a cantor. Born c.1929, [20] she grew up in Brooklyn, New York, [21] and died on January 10, 2022. [22]

In 2023, Kamenetsky was hospitalized after suffering a stroke. [23] [24] After being released to a rehabilitation facility, he developed pneumonia and was re-hospitalized. [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aharon Kotler</span> American rabbi; founder of Beth Medrash Govoha

Aharon Kotler was an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and a prominent leader of Orthodox Judaism in Lithuania and the United States; the latter being where he founded Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood Township, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yeshivas Ner Yisroel</span> Yeshiva in Pikesville, Maryland, US

Ner Israel Rabbinical College, also known as NIRC and Ner Yisroel, is a Haredi yeshiva in Pikesville, Maryland. It was founded in 1933 by Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman, a disciple of Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel, dean of the Slabodka yeshiva in Lithuania. Rabbi Aharon Feldman, a disciple of Rabbi Ruderman and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America, became its head in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg</span>

Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg was a Polish-born, American-raised, Israeli Haredi rabbi and rosh yeshiva who, from 1965, made his home in the Kiryat Mattersdorf neighborhood of Jerusalem. He was the rosh yeshiva of the Torah Ore yeshiva in Kiryat Mattersdorf and Yeshivas Derech Chaim in Brooklyn. He was a posek, Gadol HaDor, and one of the last living Torah scholars to have been educated in the yeshivas of prewar Europe. He was often consulted on a range of communal and personal halachic issues. He was one of the rabbinic leaders of Kiryat Mattersdorf, together with Rabbi Yisroel Gans and Rabbi Yitzchok Yechiel Ehrenfeld. He was also a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah</span> Rabbinical council of the Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah

Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah is the supreme rabbinical policy-making council of the Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah movements in Israel; and of Agudath Israel of America in the United States. Members are usually prestigious Roshei Yeshiva or Hasidic rebbes, who are also usually regarded by many Haredi Jews to be the Gedolim ("great/est") sages of Torah Judaism. Before the Holocaust, it was the supreme authority for the World Agudath Israel in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boruch Ber Leibowitz</span> Belarusian rabbi (1862–1939)

Boruch Ber Leibowitz (Yiddish: ברוך בער לייבאוויץ Hebrew: רב ברוך דוב ליבוביץ, romanized: Boruch Dov Libovitz; 1862 – November 17, 1939, known as Reb Boruch Ber, was a rabbi famed for his Talmudic lectures, particularly in that they were rooted styled in the method of his teacher Chaim Soloveitchik. He is known for leading Yeshivas Knesses Beis Yitzchak in Slabodka and Kaminetz.

Aryeh Malkiel Kotler is a Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) rabbi and rosh yeshiva (dean) of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, New Jersey, one of the largest yeshivas in the world. He is a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz</span> Israeli Torah leader

Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz was an Israeli Haredi Torah leader and rosh yeshiva in Bnei Brak for over 70 years. He was a maggid shiur at Yeshivas Tiferes Tzion from 1940 to 2011 and rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Ponovezh L’Tzeirim from 1954 to 2009, raising thousands of students. He was a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah, a member of Mifal HaShas, and nasi (president) of the Acheinu kiruv organization, and played a leading role in the fight for Torah-true education in yeshivas and Talmud Torahs in Israel. In addition to his own Torah works, he published the teachings of his rebbi, Rabbi Shlomo Heiman, in the two-volume Chiddushei Shlomo.

Gadol or godol is used by religious Jews to refer to the most revered rabbis of the generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Schechter</span> American Haredi rabbi (1928–2023)

Aaron Moshe Schechter was an American Haredi rabbi. He was the rosh yeshiva (dean) of Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin and its post-graduate Talmudical division, Kollel Gur Aryeh. He also served on the presidium of Agudath Israel of America and was a member of that organization's Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aharon Feldman</span> American Orthodox Jewish rabbi

Rabbi Aharon Feldman is an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and rosh yeshiva (dean) of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore, Maryland. He has held this position since 2001. He is also a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elya Svei</span> Russian-born American Haredi rabbi, educator, and Talmudic scholar (1924–2009)

Elya Svei was an American Haredi Jewish rabbi and co-rosh yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. He was born in Kaunas and died in Philadelphia.

Chaim Dov Keller was an American Haredi rabbi, Talmudic scholar, and rosh yeshiva (dean) of the Telshe Yeshiva in Chicago for six decades. He was also a member of the "Nesius" (Presidium) of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yaakov Weinberg</span> American rabbi (1923–1999)

Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg, known as Yaakov Weinberg was an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, Talmudist, and rosh yeshiva (dean) of Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore, Maryland, one of the major American non-Hasidic yeshivas. Weinberg was also a rabbinical advisor and board member in Haredi and Orthodox institutions such as Torah Umesorah, Agudath Israel of America and the Association for Jewish Outreach Programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dov Schwartzman</span> Russian-born American Haredi rabbi (1921–2011)

Dov Schwartzman, also called Berel Schwartzman, was a Russian-born American Haredi Jewish rabbi, educator, Talmudic scholar, and rosh yeshiva (dean) of Bais Hatalmud, which he founded in the Sanhedria Murhevet neighborhood of Jerusalem and led for over 40 years. He also founded and led the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia together with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky, and co-founded the first yeshiva in Israel for baalei teshuva. He taught tens of thousands of students, many of whom received semicha from him.

Zelik Epstein, also known as Zelig Epstein, was a prominent Orthodox rabbi and rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah-Grodno, a private Talmudical institution in Kew Gardens, Queens, New York, containing a high school, Beis Midrash, and Kollel. Epstein was considered by many to be the last of the Gedolim of his generation.

The Rabbi Jacob Joseph School is an Orthodox Jewish day school located in Staten Island, New York that serves students from nursery through twelfth grade, with another branch in Edison, New Jersey. The school was founded in 1903 by Rabbi Shmuel Yitzchok Andron and named in honor of Rabbi Jacob Joseph, chief rabbi of New York City's Association of American Orthodox Hebrew Congregations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shmuel Ehrenfeld</span>

Shmuel Ehrenfeld, known as the Mattersdorfer Rav, was a pre-eminent Orthodox Jewish rabbi in pre-war Austria and a respected Torah leader and community builder in post-war America. He established Yeshivas Ch'san Sofer in New York City and taught thousands of students who went on to become leaders of American Torah Jewry. He also founded the neighborhood of Kiryat Mattersdorf in Jerusalem, where his son and grandson became prominent Torah educators. He was the great-great-grandson of the Chasam Sofer through the Chasam Sofer's daughter Hindel, who married Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Ehrenfeld.

Avrohom Yitzchok Sorotzkin is a prolific writer and former Rosh Yeshiva of Telshe yeshiva who delivers the most advanced Talmudic lecture at the Mesivta of Lakewood. He is a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yitzchok Scheiner</span> Israeli–American rabbi (1922–2021)

Rabbi Yitzchok Scheiner was an Israeli–American rabbi who was the rosh yeshiva of the Kamenitz yeshiva of Jerusalem.

Elya Brudny is an American Haredi rabbi. He serves as rosh yeshiva (dean) in the Mir Yeshiva in Brooklyn and is a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America.

References

  1. ↑ "Gedolim Portraits".
  2. ↑ Klein, Devorah (May 24, 2017). "Eitz Chaim Schools to Celebrate 100th anniversary". Community. Hamodia. p. 13. Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlita, an alumnus...
  3. ↑ Birnbaum, Rabbi Avraham (2011). "Rav Dov Schwartzman, zt"l". Yated Ne'eman . Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  4. ↑ Safier, Dovi (April 3, 2023). "Mother of All Yeshivas". Mishpacha . Cedarhurst, New York . Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  5. ↑ Tannenbaum, Rabbi Gershon (April 1, 2009). "Rabbi Elya Svei (1924–2009) Rosh Yeshiva Philadelphia". The Jewish Press. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Six Gedolim Added To Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah Of Agudas Yisroel". Yeshiva World News . September 14, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  7. ↑ By: The “Hamodia Staff” (September 14, 2020). "Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah Call on Community to Achieve Improvements; New Chavrei HaMoetzes Welcomed". Hamodia . Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  8. ↑ Goldberg, Arthur. "A Discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky on 'SSA'" (PDF). Hakira, the Flatbush Journal of Jewish Law and Thought. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  9. ↑ Berger, Paul (August 2, 2011). "Leiby Kletzky Murder Reignites Fight Over Reporting Abuse". The Jewish Daily Forward. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  10. ↑ "'We Have To Control Ourselves': SOVEYA Interview With Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky" (PDF). Switchh. 4 (3). 2010.
  11. ↑ "Rabbi Shmuel against smoking". YouTube . Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2013. (video)
  12. ↑ "New York – Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky: 'It is an Aveira to Get Drunk on Purim'". Vos Iz Neias? . February 12, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  13. ↑ Bridwell, Lindsey (August 28, 2014) "A Healthy Dose?", Baltimore Jewish Times. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  14. ↑ Blau, Reuven (May 23, 2019). "Anti-Vaccine Rabbi Sits on Prominent Ultra-Orthodox Panel as Measles Spread". The City. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Rav Kamenetsky: My Signature On Anti-Covid Vaccine Propaganda is a Forgery". Baltimore Jewish Life . December 14, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Forgery: Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Kaminetzky Never Signed Any Letter About COVID Vaccine". Yeshiva World News. December 14, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Forgery: Harav Shmuel Kamenetzky Disputes Individuals Who Falsely Claimed His Endorsement Against COVID Vaccine". The Lakewood Scoop. December 14, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky Responds to a False Letter Regarding Covid Vaccine, In His Name". 5 Towns Central. December 14, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  19. ↑ Hanau, Shira (July 29, 2020). "Leading Orthodox rabbi endorses Donald Trump for reelection". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  20. ↑ Saphirstein, Shabsie (January 12, 2022). "Reflecting on the Life of Rebbetzin Temi Kamenetsky a'h". Queens Jewish Link. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  21. ↑ Gebber, Leah. "The Rebbetzin's Perspective: A Schmooze with Rebbetzin Temi Kamenetsky". Mishpacha Family First, September 27, 2012, pp. 26–32.
  22. ↑ (January 10, 2022) "BDE: Petirah of Rebetzin Temi Kamenetsky, A'H, Wife of Maran HaGaon Shmuel Kamenetsky, Shlita", Baltimore Jewish Life. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky Hospitalized After Suffering Stroke". Vos Iz Neias?. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Tehillim: Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky Suffers Stroke; Next 24 Hours Critical". Yeshiva World News. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Tefillos for Maran Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky". Matzav.com. May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.