It is with immense sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of the gadol hador, Hagaon Rav Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky zt”l, today, Shushan Purim. He was 94 years old.
The Torah world has been thrown into mourning.
Rav Chaim reportedly suffered a heart attack this afternoon and passed away a short while later.
Born January 8, 1928 in Pinsk to Rav Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, the Steipler Gaon, and Rebbitzen Miriam Karelitz, sister of Rav Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz, the Chazon Ish, Rav Chaim later married Batsheva Elyashiv, daughter of Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv.
In his youth, Rav Chaim studied with his father, the Steipler, and with his uncle, the Chazon Ish. He also studied at Yeshivas Tiferes Tzion of Bnei Brak under Rav Yechiel Michel Lefkowitz, and later on in the Lomza Yeshiva of Petach Tikvah under the rosh yeshiva Rav Yechiel Michel Gordon and the mashgiach Rav Eliyahu Dushnitzer.
Rav Chaim was revered by every segment of the Jewish world. He received hundreds of queries in person and in the mail every single week from every corner of the globe on every topic. Rav Chaim’s influence on the Torah world was unparalleled. He was known widely as the Sar HaTorah and was seen as the preeminent Torah authority and posek acharon for Klal Yisroel.
On virtually every issue of important for the last decades, Rav Chaim was consulted by the greater Torah world. From halacha to hashkafah and everything in between, Rav Chaim was the address for Torah Jewry.
The void that has been created with his petirah is incalculable.
Rav Chaim was the preeminent Torah authority of his day. His leadership and impact on the Torah world are difficult to describe and put into words. Few in contemporary history have ever held such a unique position of leadership across the entire spectrum of Torah Jewry.
Besides his phenomenal yedios haTorah and his recall of kol haTorah kulah – which he famously competed every year and was unmatched – Rav Chaim authored many classic works including Shona Halachos, Derech Emunah, Derech Chochmoh Shekel Hakodesh, Nachal Eisan, Siach Hasadeh, Taama Dekra, B’sha’ar Hamelech, L’mechase Atik, Kiryas Melech, and commentaries on Maseches Tzitzis, Maseches Avadim, Maseches Kusim, Maseches Geirim, Perek Shira, Braisa D’Meleches HaMishkan, Braisa D’Maseches Middos, and many others.
Torah, Torah chigri sak. Klal Yisroel is bereft.
The levayah will be held on Sunday and kevurah will take place at the Ponovezher Bais Hachaim next to the kever of his father, the Steipler.
Rav Chaim is survived by his children, Rebbetzin Leah Koledetzky, Rav Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Kanievsky, Rebbetzin Rus Tzivion, Rav Shlomo Kanievsky, Rebbetzin Bracha Braverman, Rebbetzin Dina Epstein, and Rav Yitzchak Shaul Kanievsky. His daughter, Rebbetzin Chana Shteinman a”h passed away eight years ago. Reebbetzin Batsheva Kanievsky passed away approximately ten years ago.
Umacha Hashem dimah me’al kol ponim.
Yehi zichro boruch.
May we be reunited with Maran Rav Chaim with the coming of Moshiach bekarov.
BDE
Wow! May Klal Yisrael find nichum!
To think that had this year not been an interesting yohr, he would have made his legendary Erev Pesach Siyum just yesterday!
*Ibber Yohr,
Words cannot capture the essence of this colossal tragic loss;
Safe to assume that Rav Yitzchok Kolodetsky shlita shall become the next address for people who need advice just like his Rebbetzen has filled the gaping void 10&1/2 years ago on שלישי של סוכות, but clearly this shall be way larger than life size shoes to fill.