Rav Chaim Kanievsky Celebrates 93rd Birthday

Rav Shmaryahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky celebrated his 93rd birthday by following his regular routine of full-time limud haTorah.

Born on January 8, 1928, in Pinsk, Rav Chaim’s parents were Rav Yaakov Yisroel Kanievsky, the Steipler Gaon, and Rebbetzin Miriam Karelitz, a sister of the Chazon Ish.

Rav Chaim was married to Rebbetzin Batsheva Elyashiv, a daughter of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. Rebbetzin Batsheva passed away in 2011.

A gaon and boki of unparalleled proportions, Rav Chaim, recognized as the gadol hador, receives thousands of visitors every year from around the globe seeking p’sak and guidance.

Since his arrival to Eretz Yisroel as a young boy, Rav Chaim has never left the Holy Land to visit other countries.

Rav Chaim is the author of many works law, such as Derech Emunoh on agricultural halachos, Derech Chochmoh on the halachos of the avodas haMikdosh, and Shoneh Halachos, based on Mishnah Berurah.

Other seforim of Rav Chaim’s include Shekel Hakodesh on the halachos of Kiddush Hachodesh; Orchos Yosher, Siach Hasadeh, Nachal Eisan on the halachos of eglah arufah, Ta’ama Dikra, B’sha’ar Hamelech, L’mechase Atik, Kiryas Melech, and commentaries on Maseches Tzitzis, Maseches Avadim, Maseches Kusim, Maseches Geirim, Perek Shira, Baraisa D’Meleches HaMishkan and Baraisa D’Maseches Middos.

Interestingly, during the 1948 Israeli War of Independence, Rav Chaim, then a talmid at the Lomza Yeshiva in Petach Tikva, was conscripted for temporary army service in the general mobilization. He was assigned to stand guard on a large hill near Yaffo.

{Matzav.com Israel News Bureau}