23 Av · Yahrzeit

Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky - the Steipler Gaon

Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky - the Steipler Gaon Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky was born in Ukraine, in Hornostaipil, and in his youth was known as the illui of Hornostaipil - the Hornostaipler. This is where the nickname "Steipler" came from. He was the son of Rabbi Chaim Peretz, a Chernobyl chossid and the local shochet. At the age of 11 he entered the Novardok Yeshiva and studied under Rabbi Yosef Yoizel Horowitz - the Saba of Novardok. He progressed in his learning very quickly and earned a reputation as a Talmid Chacham. At age 19, the Saba of Novardok sent him to establish a branch of the yeshiva in Rogatchov. But the October Revolution was in full swing, and Rabbi Kanievsky was drafted into the Red Army. Despite the harsh conditions, he continued to observe all the mitzvot. Once, during his military service, Rabbi Kanievsky was court-martialed for "neglect of duty" in connection with his observance of the mitzvah of Shabbat. He was forced to walk between two rows of soldiers who had been ordered to beat him as he passed. Rabbi Kanievsky later recalled that the satisfaction he felt at that moment, standing firm for his religious convictions, was immeasurably great, and that he never experienced anything like it again. After his military service, he decided to go to Bialystok in Poland to continue his Torah study, hidden from the communist regime. There he studied under Rabbi Avraham Yoffen. In 1925, Rabbi Kanievsky published his first book, "Shaarei Tevunah" (Gates of Understanding). This was achieved with great effort, and the work came to the attention of Rabbi Yeshayahu Karelitz (the Chazon Ish) in Vilna. Even without being acquainted with Rabbi Kanievsky, Rabbi Karelitz decided that the author of such a work was worthy of marrying his sister Miriam. In 1933, he left Poland and moved to Israel, settling in Bnei Brak, where his brother-in-law Rabbi Karelitz had already been living for a year and a half. For many years he served as the head of two yeshivot. After the passing of the Chazon Ish in 5714 (1954), the Steipler became universally recognized as his spiritual heir - thousands of people from all corners of the Jewish world turned to him with halachic questions, seeking advice and blessing. He avoided publicity and lived in modest surroundings, teaching, writing, and devoting himself to Torah and good deeds. More than 150,000 mourners attended his funeral in 1985. His son, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, following in his father's footsteps, became a world-renowned Orthodox authority. The Steipler Gaon wrote numerous works; his major work is the multi-volume "Kehillot Yaakov", containing a unique analysis of most tractates of the Talmud. He was also the author of "Birkat Peretz" (on the Torah) and "Chayei Olam". There are also several volumes of his letters, "Karyana D'Igarta", and several volumes recorded from his words by his student Rabbi Horowitz describing his life, "Orchot Rabbeinu". May the merit of the tzadik Rabbi Yisrael Kanievsky protect us all. The Steipler and Tehillim in Operation Peace for Galilee At the very beginning of the summer of 5742 (1982), before the start of Operation Peace for Galilee, two Israeli military pilots who had recently done teshuvah (returned to observing the laws of the Torah) came to see the Steipler. They approached him with an urgent and completely secret matter. The next morning, according to their combat orders, they were to destroy Syrian missile installations of Soviet manufacture, positioned deep within enemy territory. According to intelligence reports, these missiles were heavily guarded: state-of-the-art radars, operated by Soviet specialists, could detect any aircraft within a twenty-kilometer radius around them. The operation was scheduled for eight o'clock in the morning. The Steipler blessed the pilots and said that at 7 o'clock in the morning he would recite Tehillim for the success of their mission. The pilots tried to correct him, pointing out that they would be flying out on their mission not at 7, but at 8, but the Steipler insisted repeatedly that he would recite Tehillim for them at 7 o'clock. Shortly before dawn, additional intelligence data came in, and command moved the start of the operation forward by an hour. At half past seven in the morning, the squadron of Israeli fighter jets returned safely to base - all targets had been successfully hit. This operation became one of the most glorious and impressive in the history of the Israeli Air Force. (Sunset p.168-169). How the Mitzvah of Hachnasat Kallah Added 22 Years to a Life https://silatehilim.com/секрет-мицвы-ахнасат-кала-или-сгула-от/ (https://dailyzohar.com/tzadikim/294-Rabbi-Yaakov-Yisrael-Kanievsky)

Pilgrimage site: Grave: The Steipler Gaon