Shmuel Kamenetsky

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Rabbi
Shmuel Kamenetsky
Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky.jpg
Personal life
Born (1924-11-12) November 12, 1924 (age 100)
Tytuvėnai (Tzetivyan), Lithuania
Spouse
Temi Brooks
​
(died 2022)​
Parent(s) Yaakov Kamenetsky and Ettil Kamenetsky
Alma mater Beth Medrash Govoha, Ner Israel Rabbinical College
OccupationRosh yeshiva
Religious life
Religion Judaism
Denomination Orthodox
Position Rosh yeshiva
Yeshiva Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia
Residence Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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

Contents

Early life

Kamenetsky was born in Tytuvėnai, Lithuania to Yaakov Kamenetsky, then that town's rabbi. [1] After the family's emigration to Canada in 1938, 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, [3] becoming a primary student of Aharon Kotler, from whom he received rabbinic ordination.

Career

Kamenetsky in 2016 Shmuel Kamenetzky.jpg
Kamenetsky in 2016

In the mid-1950s, [4] 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. [5] In 1956 Schwartzman left to open his own yeshiva in Israel, and Kamenetsky chose Elya Svei [6] 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 [7] [8] and serves on the rabbinical board of organizations including Chinuch Atzmai (Torah Schools for Israel), Torah Umesorah, [9] the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, and the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals.[ citation needed ]

Opinions

Kamenetsky's opinion is frequently sought and quoted on current issues such as same-sex attraction, [10] child molestation, [11] obesity and dieting, [12] smoking, [13] and drinking alcohol to excess on Purim. [14]

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". [15] He has supported the idea that a child cannot be refused entry into a school for refusing to vaccinate. [16] 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. [17] [18] In a rebuttal letter, he stated his opinion that each individual should ask his own doctor. [19] [20]

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 ." [21]

Personal life

Kamenetsky's wife, Temi, was the daughter of Mordechai Brooks, a cantor. [1] Born c.1929, [22] she grew up in Brooklyn, New York, [23] and died on January 10, 2022. [24]

In 2023, Kamenetsky was hospitalized after suffering a stroke. [25] [26] After being released to a rehabilitation facility, he developed pneumonia and was re-hospitalized. [27] He was hospitalized several times in 2025 and in July 2025, he was admitted into the intensive care unit [28] and went into septic shock [29] before improving and being released. [30]

Kamenetzky's son Sholom serves as a rosh yeshiva at the yeshiva. [31]

References

  1. 1 2 Grossman, Nechama (October 6, 2022). "Our Gadol". Mishpacha Magazine . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  2. ↑ Klein, Devorah (May 24, 2017). "Eitz Chaim Schools to Celebrate 100th anniversary". Community. Hamodia. p. 13. Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlita, an alumnus...
  3. ↑ Massry, Sarah (September 17, 2021). "Feeling Hashem's Embrace // Rebbetzin Temi Kamenetsky discusses chinuch, bitachon and overcoming today's challenges". Ami Magazine . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  4. ↑ Birnbaum, Rabbi Avraham (2011). "Rav Dov Schwartzman, zt"l". Yated Ne'eman . Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  5. ↑ Safier, Dovi (April 3, 2023). "Mother of All Yeshivas". Mishpacha . Cedarhurst, New York . Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ "Six Gedolim Added To Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah Of Agudas Yisroel". Yeshiva World News . September 14, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ "Meet our Staff". Torah Umesorah. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  10. ↑ Goldberg, Arthur. "A Discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky on 'SSA'" (PDF). Hakira, the Flatbush Journal of Jewish Law and Thought. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  11. ↑ Berger, Paul (August 2, 2011). "Leiby Kletzky Murder Reignites Fight Over Reporting Abuse". The Jewish Daily Forward. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  12. ↑ "'We Have To Control Ourselves': SOVEYA Interview With Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky" (PDF). Switchh. 4 (3). 2010.
  13. ↑ "Rabbi Shmuel against smoking". YouTube . Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2013. (video)
  14. ↑ "New York – Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky: 'It is an Aveira to Get Drunk on Purim'". Vos Iz Neias? . February 12, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  15. ↑ Bridwell, Lindsey (August 28, 2014) "A Healthy Dose?", Baltimore Jewish Times. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  16. ↑ Blau, Reuven (May 23, 2019). "Anti-Vaccine Rabbi Sits on Prominent Ultra-Orthodox Panel as Measles Spread". The City. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Rav Kamenetsky: My Signature On Anti-Covid Vaccine Propaganda is a Forgery". Baltimore Jewish Life . December 14, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Forgery: Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Kaminetzky Never Signed Any Letter About COVID Vaccine". Yeshiva World News. December 14, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Forgery: Harav Shmuel Kamenetzky Disputes Individuals Who Falsely Claimed His Endorsement Against COVID Vaccine". The Lakewood Scoop. December 14, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky Responds to a False Letter Regarding Covid Vaccine, In His Name". 5 Towns Central. December 14, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  21. ↑ Hanau, Shira (July 29, 2020). "Leading Orthodox rabbi endorses Donald Trump for reelection". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  22. ↑ Saphirstein, Shabsie (January 12, 2022). "Reflecting on the Life of Rebbetzin Temi Kamenetsky a'h". Queens Jewish Link. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  23. ↑ Gebber, Leah. "The Rebbetzin's Perspective: A Schmooze with Rebbetzin Temi Kamenetsky". Mishpacha Family First, September 27, 2012, pp. 26–32.
  24. ↑ (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.
  25. ↑ "Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky Hospitalized After Suffering Stroke". Vos Iz Neias?. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Tehillim: Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky Suffers Stroke; Next 24 Hours Critical". Yeshiva World News. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Tefillos for Maran Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky". Matzav.com. May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky Hospitalized in Intensive Care". Matzav.com. July 27, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Update on Condition of Maran HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky". Matzav.com. July 29, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  30. ↑ "CHASDEI HASHEM: Philadelphia Rosh Yeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky, Released from Hospital". Yeshiva World News . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  31. ↑ Botnick, Shmuel (November 16, 2021). "Living Higher: Issue 886". Mishpacha Magazine . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
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