HaRav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, ZT”L

The Jewish Press joins Klal Yisrael in mourning the passing of HaRav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, longtime rosh yeshiva of the famed Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and acknowledged as one of the Torah world’s leading poskim. A renowned Talmudist, he was also noted for his compassion and self-effacing efforts to assist those in need, including agunot, women unable to secure a Get from recalcitrant husbands, freeing them from failed marriages.

Rav Belsky’s formidable intellect made him especially effective in negotiating settlements of even the most complicated marital and economic disputes and in often challenging the opinions of other halachic authorities who favored a more restrictive application of Torah law than what he held was required. His work as the senior halachic adviser for the Kashruth Division of the Orthodox Union, the largest kosher food certification agency in the world, established that organization’s bona fides across the spectrum of Orthodoxy.

Rav Belsky was a beloved rebbi to his students, who were mesmerized by the intricacies of his shiurim and palpable devotion to their growth in Torah study. His legendary service over many summers as the mashgiach ruchani at Camp Agudah rounded out this remarkable Torah personality.

May his memory be a blessing.