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{{Short description|Belarusian-born Israeli-American Haredi rabbi and rosh yeshiva}}
{{notability|Biographies|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox Jewish leader
{{Infobox Jewish leader
| honorific-prefix = Rabbi
| honorific-prefix = Rabbi
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| birth_date = 27 June 1906
| birth_date = 27 June 1906
| birth_place = [[Uzda]], [[Lithuania]]
| birth_place = [[Uzda]], [[Lithuania]]
| death_date = 15 May 2003
| death_date = 17 May 2003
| death_place = [[Bnei Brak]], [[Israel]]
| death_place = [[Bnei Brak]], [[Israel]]
| buried = [[Har HaMenuchos]]
| buried = [[Har HaMenuchos]]
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==Biography==
==Biography==
Yechiel Michel Feinstein was born to Avrohom Yitzchok Feinstein in the town of [[Uzda]], [[Lithuania]],<ref name="dibur" /> a town near [[Minsk]], [[Belarus]], then part of the [[Russian empire]]. He was orphaned of his father at the age of seven and went to live with and learn from his grandfather, Dovid Feinstein, the rabbi of [[Starobin]] [[Belarus]]. It was there that Yechiel Michel developed a close relationship with his uncles, rabbis Mordechai Feinstein and [[Moshe Feinstein]].<ref name="dibur" />
Feinstein, the son of Avrohom Yitzchok Feinstein, was born in [[Uzda]], [[Lithuania]],<ref name="dibur" /><ref>{{cite web |title=RABBI YECHIEL MICHEL FEINSTEIN (1906-2003) |url=https://www.rabbimeirbaalhaneis.com/Rabbi%20Yechiel%20Michel%20Feinstein.asp |website=rabbimeirbaalhaneis.com |publisher=Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes Salant Charity |access-date=12 June 2023}}</ref> then part of the [[Russian empire]]. His father died when he was seven and he went to live with his grandfather, Dovid Feinstein, the rabbi of [[Starobin]], [[Belarus]]. His uncle was [[Moshe Feinstein]].<ref name="dibur" />


He went to [[Slutsk]] after his [[bar mitzvah]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Rav Yechiel Michel Feinstein zt”l, On His Ninth Yahrtzeit, Today, 16 Iyar {{!}} Matzav.com |url=https://matzav.com/rav-yechiel-michel-feinstein-zt”l-on-his-ninth-yahrtzeit-today-16-iyar/ |access-date=12 June 2023 |work=Matzav.com |date=8 May 2012}}</ref> to study under [[Isser Zalman Meltzer]].<ref name="dibur" /> When the [[Bolsheviks]] seized power Meltzer's [[yeshiva]] fled to [[Kletsk]], [[Poland]]. During his three years in Kletsk, Feinstein attended the [[Talmud]]ic lectures of Meltzer and his son-in-law, [[Aharon Kotler]]. Then he transferred to the [[Mir yeshiva (Poland)|Mir Yeshiva]] where he studied with [[Yeruchom Lebovitz]]<ref name="dibur" />
From a young age, he was recognized as a [[child prodigy|prodigy]]. He was sent to [[Slutsk]] after his [[bar mitzvah]] to study under [[Isser Zalman Meltzer]].<ref name="dibur" />


⚫
Feinstein studied in [[Brest, Belarus|Brisk]] under [[Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik]]. While there he became subject to conscription into the army, so he traveled to [[Grodno]] to obtain fake medical forms from a doctor and en route, consulted with [[Yisrael Meir Kagan]] (the Chofetz Chaim) in [[Radin]] about evading the draft. Feinstein stayed in Grodno for half a year, where he studied under [[Shimon Shkop]]. He then returned to Brisk to continue studying under Soloveitchik, spending the summer months at the Mir Yeshiva. When World War II broke out, he traveled to [[Vilna]] with other students from the Mir.<ref name="dibur" />
When the [[Bolsheviks]] revolted, the [[yeshiva]] was forced to flee from [[Lithuania]] to [[Kletsk]], [[Poland]]. During his three years in Kletsk, Feinstein attended the famed [[Talmud]]ic lectures of Rabbi Meltzer and his son-in-law, Rabbi [[Aharon Kotler]]. Then he transferred to the [[Mir yeshiva (Poland)|Mir yeshiva]], where he became a leading student of [[Yeruchom Lebovitz]] and learned together with [[Yechiel Michel Schlesinger]], future rosh yeshiva of [[Yeshivas Kol Torah]] in Jerusalem, and [[Yonah Karpilow]] of Minsk, who was killed in the [[Holocaust]] and whose ''Yonas Eilem'' was published posthumously. At this time, [[Chaim Shmuelevitz]] and [[Aryeh Leib Malin]] also studied in the Mir yeshiva. Despite being surrounding by notable scholars of the [[Torah]], Feinstein was nonetheless thought of as "the genius of the yeshiva".<ref name="dibur" />


⚫
From Vilna Feinstein joined the Mir Yeshiva in exile in [[Japan]]. He arrived in the [[United States]] in 1941 with [[Aharon Kotler]].<ref name="dibur" /> Feinstein was ''[[mashgiach]]'' for [[Joseph B. Soloveitchik]] in Boston. Less than a year later he joined his uncle, Moshe Feinstein, as the head of [[Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem]] in the [[Lower East Side, Manhattan]].<ref name="dibur" /> He was appointed a member of the [[Agudas HaRabbonim]] and assisted the [[Vaad Hatzolah]] in rescuing Jews and aiding the war refugees in Europe.<ref name="dibur" />
⚫
At the behest of his former teacher, Meltzer, Feinstein traveled to [[Brest, Belarus|Brisk]] to study under the illustrious [[Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik]]. It did not take long for Feinstein to earn his reputation as the genius in the [[Brisk yeshiva]] as well. However, during this time, he became eligible for conscription into the army, so he traveled to [[Grodno]] to obtain fake medical forms from a doctor and en route, consulted with [[Yisrael Meir Kagan]] (the Chofetz Chaim) in [[Radin]] about evading the army. Upon their meeting, Kagan was impressed by Feinstein's broad knowledge of [[Nezikin]], [[Nashim]], and [[Kodoshim]]. Feinstein stayed in Grodno for half a year, where he learned from [[Shimon Shkop]]. He afterwards returned to Brisk to continue studying under Soloveitchik, spending the summer months and the month of [[Elul]] at the Mir yeshivas. When World War II broke out, he traveled to [[Vilna]] with other students from the Mir to hear lectures from the Soloveitchik. Whilst in Vilna, Feinstein was lavishly praised by the leading ''[[posek]]'' of the generation, [[Chaim Ozer Grodzensky]].<ref name="dibur" />

⚫
From Vilna Feinstein joined the Mir Yeshiva in exile in [[Japan]], while helping other refugees escape the horrors of the [[The Holocaust|Holocaust]]. Eventually, he arrived in the [[United States]] in 1941 with [[Aharon Kotler]].<ref name="dibur" /> While the latter opened a yeshiva in [[Lakewood, New Jersey]] ([[Beth Medrash Govoha]]), Feinstein served as ''[[mashgiach]]'' for [[Joseph B. Soloveitchik]] in Boston. Less than a year later, his uncle, Moshe Feinstein, summoned him to serve at his side as the head of [[Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem]] in the [[Lower East Side, Manhattan]].<ref name="dibur" /> During this time, he gained fame for his Talmudic lectures. He was appointed a member of the [[Agudas HaRabbonim]] and assisted the [[Vaad Hatzolah]] in rescuing Jews and aiding the war refugees in Europe.<ref name="dibur" />


==Israel==
==Israel==
In 1946, Feinstein visited [[Israel (region)|Israel]]. He immediately reunited with his former teacher Soloveitchik in [[Jerusalem]], and married his daughter, Lifsha, in August of that year. Isser Zalman Meltzer officiated at the wedding. Following his marriage, he continued serving in the capacity of rosh yeshiva in America until 1952, when he and his family [[aliyah|immigrated]] to [[Israel]] and he established Yeshivas Beis Yehuda in [[Tel Aviv]]. He consulted regularly with the [[Chazon Ish]] in [[Bnei Brak]] on important issues.<ref name="dibur" />
In 1946, Feinstein visited [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] and in August married Lifsha, the daughter of his former teacher Soloveitchik, in [[Jerusalem]]. He returned to America and continued as rosh yeshiva until 1952, when he and his family [[aliyah|immigrated to Israel]] and he established Yeshivas Beis Yehuda in [[Tel Aviv]]<ref name="dibur" /> and served as its Rosh Yeshiva.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoffman |first1=Yair |title=The Tsars, Amalek, and Rav Michel Feinstein Zt"l - VINnews |url=https://vinnews.com/2021/10/17/the-tsars-amalek-and-rav-michel-feinstein-ztl/ |access-date=12 June 2023 |work=[[Vos Iz Neias?]] |date=17 October 2021}}</ref>

In 1973 after the death of one of his daughters Feinstein moved to Bnei Brak.<ref name="dibur" />


He died on the night of 17 May 2003 (16 [[Iyar]] 5763).<ref name="dibur" />
In 1973, the death of one of his daughters prompted Feinstein to move to Bnei Brak. In 1984, he inaugurated a new yeshiva building where he lectured to unmarried and married students, as well as gave ''[[Shiur (Torah)|shiurim]]'' in his home.<ref name="dibur" />


He is the author of Chiddushei Hagri”m Feinstein.<ref>{{cite web |title=ר יחיאל מיכל פיינשטיין |url=https://judaicaspot.com/collections/vendors?q=ר%27%20יחיאל%20מיכל%20פיינשטיין |website=Judaica Spot |access-date=12 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
He died on Saturday night, 17 May 2003 (16 [[Iyar]] 5763) and was eulogized in both Bnei Brak and Jerusalem before being buried at [[Har HaMenuchos]] near the grave of his father-in-law, Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik. He was survived by his wife, sons Chaim Feinstein and Dovid Feinstein, both rosh yeshivas at Beis Yehuda, and Avrohom Feinstein, and a son-in-law, Tzvi Kaplan, a rosh yeshiva in Jerusalem.<ref name="dibur" /> His wife Lifsha died in October 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=24928 |title=Levaya of Rebbetzin Lifsha Feinstein A"H |date=26 October 2008 |access-date=13 February 2011 |work=[[Yeshiva World News]]}}</ref>


==Family tree==
==Family tree==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Feinstein, Yechiel Michel}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Feinstein, Yechiel Michel}}
[[Category:20th-century rabbis]]
[[Category:20th-century American rabbis]]
[[Category:21st-century rabbis]]
[[Category:20th-century Israeli rabbis]]
[[Category:Rosh yeshivas]]
[[Category:Rosh yeshivas]]
[[Category:Haredi rabbis in Israel]]
[[Category:Haredi rabbis in Israel]]
[[Category:1906 births]]
[[Category:1906 births]]
[[Category:2003 deaths]]
[[Category:2003 deaths]]
[[Category:Burials at Har HaMenuchot]]

Latest revision as of 10:33, 26 February 2024

Rabbi
Yechiel Michel Feinstein
2014
TitelRosh Yeshiva, Beis Yehuda
Personal
Born
Yechiel Michel Feinstein

27 June 1906
Uzda, Lithuania
Died17 May 2003
Bnei Brak, Israel
ReligionJudaism
SpouseLifsha Soloveitchik
ChildrenChaim
Dovid
Avrohom
daughters
ParentRabbi Avrohom Yitzchok Feinstein
DenominationOrthodox
Alma materMir yeshiva (Poland)
Jewish leader
Predecessornone
SuccessorRabbi Chaim Feinstein
PositionRosh yeshiva
YeshivaBeis Yehuda
Began1952
Ended2003
BuriedHar HaMenuchos
ResidenceBnei Brak, Israel

Yechiel Michel Feinstein (27 June 1906 – 17 May 2003[1]) was a Haredi rabbi and rosh yeshiva in Israel and the United States.

Biography

[edit]

Feinstein, the son of Avrohom Yitzchok Feinstein, was born in Uzda, Lithuania,[1][2] then part of the Russian empire. His father died when he was seven and he went to live with his grandfather, Dovid Feinstein, the rabbi of Starobin, Belarus. His uncle was Moshe Feinstein.[1]

He went to Slutsk after his bar mitzvah[3] to study under Isser Zalman Meltzer.[1] When the Bolsheviks seized power Meltzer's yeshiva fled to Kletsk, Poland. During his three years in Kletsk, Feinstein attended the Talmudic lectures of Meltzer and his son-in-law, Aharon Kotler. Then he transferred to the Mir Yeshiva where he studied with Yeruchom Lebovitz[1]

Feinstein studied in Brisk under Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik. While there he became subject to conscription into the army, so he traveled to Grodno to obtain fake medical forms from a doctor and en route, consulted with Yisrael Meir Kagan (the Chofetz Chaim) in Radin about evading the draft. Feinstein stayed in Grodno for half a year, where he studied under Shimon Shkop. He then returned to Brisk to continue studying under Soloveitchik, spending the summer months at the Mir Yeshiva. When World War II broke out, he traveled to Vilna with other students from the Mir.[1]

From Vilna Feinstein joined the Mir Yeshiva in exile in Japan. He arrived in the United States in 1941 with Aharon Kotler.[1] Feinstein was mashgiach for Joseph B. Soloveitchik in Boston. Less than a year later he joined his uncle, Moshe Feinstein, as the head of Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem in the Lower East Side, Manhattan.[1] He was appointed a member of the Agudas HaRabbonim and assisted the Vaad Hatzolah in rescuing Jews and aiding the war refugees in Europe.[1]

Israel

[edit]

In 1946, Feinstein visited Palestine and in August married Lifsha, the daughter of his former teacher Soloveitchik, in Jerusalem. He returned to America and continued as rosh yeshiva until 1952, when he and his family immigrated to Israel and he established Yeshivas Beis Yehuda in Tel Aviv[1] and served as its Rosh Yeshiva.[4]

In 1973 after the death of one of his daughters Feinstein moved to Bnei Brak.[1]

He died on the night of 17 May 2003 (16 Iyar 5763).[1]

He is the author of Chiddushei Hagri”m Feinstein.[5]

Family tree

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Baruchi, S. (21 May 2003). "HaRav Yechiel Michel Feinstein, zt'l". Dei'ah VeDibur. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  2. ^ "RABBI YECHIEL MICHEL FEINSTEIN (1906-2003)". rabbimeirbaalhaneis.com. Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes Salant Charity. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Rav Yechiel Michel Feinstein zt"l, On His Ninth Yahrtzeit, Today, 16 Iyar | Matzav.com". Matzav.com. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  4. ^ Hoffman, Yair (17 October 2021). "The Tsars, Amalek, and Rav Michel Feinstein Zt"l - VINnews". Vos Iz Neias?. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  5. ^ "ר יחיאל מיכל פיינשטיין". Judaica Spot. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
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