Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz
The Chazon Ish
Era of the AcharonimRabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz, known as 'the Chazon Ish' after his celebrated series of works, was one of the foremost halachic decisors and leaders of Haredi Jewry in the first half of the twentieth century. Born in the town of Kosava in the Grodno region (then part of the Ru…
Biography
Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz, known as 'the Chazon Ish' after his celebrated series of works, was one of the foremost halachic decisors and leaders of Haredi Jewry in the first half of the twentieth century. Born in the town of Kosava in the Grodno region (then part of the Russian Empire, today in Belarus), he acquired most of his Torah knowledge from his father and a private tutor and was largely self-taught. Although he never held any official rabbinic position, his scholarly and public influence was immense, and his books became indispensable assets in the yeshiva world and in halachic decision-making. In 1933 he immigrated to the Land of Israel and settled in Bnei Brak, where he became the central figure leading the Lithuanian Haredi community until his passing in 1953.
Life Story
Childhood
Born on the 11th of Cheshvan 5639 (1878) in the town of Kosava in the Grodno region, then within the Russian Empire — today part of Belarus. His father, Rabbi Shmaryahu Yosef Karelitz, served as the town's rabbi, and his mother Rashe Leah was the daughter of his father's predecessor in the post. Already in childhood he showed remarkable perseverance in study and a tendency toward solitude; his father hired a private tutor to keep him away from the company of children his own age. According to family testimonies, he studied with great diligence from a young age, even when he did not always find pleasure in it — continuing out of recognition of its importance, in the hope that the sweetness would come in time.
Teachers
He acquired most of his Torah from his father, Rabbi Shmaryahu Yosef Karelitz, and from his private tutor, Rabbi Moshe Tuvia, whom he mentions in several places in his writings. He spent a brief period in the 'kibbutz' of Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski in Vilna, and also traveled to study in Brisk under Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (the 'Beit HaLevi'), but did not find his place there and returned home. For most of his life he was an autodidact, studying on his own with extraordinary perseverance.
Students
His home in Bnei Brak became a Torah center that drew learners and inquirers from across the country and the diaspora. Among those closest to him were Rabbi Chaim Shaul Greineman, Rabbi Gdalia Nadel, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, Rabbi Yehuda Boyar, Rabbi Nissim Karelitz (his nephew), Rabbi Yehuda Shapiro and Rabbi Yechezkel Bartler. Many of the leading figures of the next generation regarded themselves as his disciples and continued his Torah path.
Family
His father, Rabbi Shmaryahu Yosef Karelitz, served as rabbi of Kosava. His brother was Rabbi Meir Karelitz, and his nephew Rabbi Nissim Karelitz continued his path of leadership. He married Batia Bei (née Bei), and the couple had no children.
Key Events
In 1933 he immigrated to the Land of Israel and settled in Bnei Brak, then in its early days. His modest home became an address for inquirers of every level and background. With the founding of the State and in the years that followed, he became the central authority in matters of halacha and the leadership of the Haredi public, influencing key public issues — including the conscription of yeshiva students, Sabbath observance, and the Haredi relationship with state institutions.
Miracles
Many stories accrued around his figure — of his exceptional acumen and memory, and of his ability to discern fine nuances in complex questions. Many sought his blessing and counsel, consulting him not only on matters of halacha but also on livelihood, health and education.
Influence
His influence extended far beyond the circle of his immediate disciples. The 'Chazon Ish' series — novellae on the orders of the Talmud and halachic rulings on the Shulchan Aruch — became one of the central Torah works of the twentieth century, studied in every yeshiva and kollel. His book 'Emunah u'Bitachon' is a cornerstone in education toward faith in divine providence. His way of deciding — precision, methodological independence and a readiness to rule — shaped an entire generation of decisors.
Death
He passed away on the 15th of Cheshvan 5714 (October 24, 1953) in Bnei Brak, at the age of 74. He was buried in the Shomrei Shabbat cemetery in Bnei Brak. His passing left a deep void in the leadership of the Haredi public, and his funeral was a mass event attended by tens of thousands.
Writings
Chazon Ish
Talmud and Halacha
A series of novellae on the orders of the Talmud and halachic rulings on parts of the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim, Yoreh De'ah, Even Ha'Ezer and Choshen Mishpat). Considered one of the central Torah works of the twentieth century.
Emunah u'Bitachon
Thought and Faith
A foundational work in Jewish thought, dealing with divine providence, the trait of trust and the foundations of faith. A cornerstone of religious education.
Igrot Chazon Ish
Letters and Responsa
A collection of his letters on matters of halacha, worldview and public leadership, reflecting his way of deciding questions and guiding inquirers.
His Way and Views
Torah Study
He emphasized in-depth study across all parts of Torah — in Talmud and in the codifiers alike — and saw assiduous, persistent study as the foundation of Israel's entire way. He held that one must reach a clear understanding of a question through independent and precise analysis, rather than relying on the tradition of predecessors without examination.
Halacha
The 'Chazon Ish' books on the Shulchan Aruch and his novellae on the Talmud became a central pillar of halachic decision-making in his generation. He ruled with methodological independence, through in-depth study of the sources and comparison of the views of the Rishonim and Acharonim. Among his prominent areas: the laws of Shabbat and electricity, the sabbatical year, and the commandments tied to the Land.
Faith
His book 'Emunah u'Bitachon' is a central spiritual essay on the foundations of faith, divine providence and the trait of trust. He saw trust in God not merely as an emotion but as a halachic-conceptual reality binding upon a person in every moment of life.
Ethics
He was exceedingly meticulous about character traits and honoring others, seeing humility and modesty as foundations of divine service. He held that one must be as careful with commandments between a person and their fellow as with those between a person and God.
Customs
He conducted himself with exceptional austerity and modesty. Around questions of Shabbat and electricity, the sabbatical year and the commandments of the Land, many practices in the Haredi public were established according to his rulings.
Character
He was known for his humility, the simplicity of his life and his avoidance of all matters of honor. He refused to accept rabbinic positions and supported himself meagerly. Even after becoming the acknowledged leader of the Haredi public, he continued to lead a modest, inward life.
Public Role
He led the Lithuanian Haredi public in the Land of Israel without ever filling any official role. His influence extended beyond Haredi circles, and public figures, rabbis and decisors from various streams would consult him. He maintained ties with the heads of state and influenced decisions on sensitive public issues.
Famous Quotes
"The halacha follows the later authority"
"Doubt does not override certainty"
"Trust is not a means of earning a livelihood, but the very reality of a person's bond with their Creator"
Famous Stories
Despite the immense esteem in which he was held throughout the Torah world, the Chazon Ish refused throughout his life to serve in any rabbinic position. When a rabbinate in a large city was offered to him, he replied that he had no desire for authority, and that it was enough for him to study Torah and answer halachic inquiries from his small room. He earned his living meagerly and refused to accept payment for his rulings.
He used to say that he had no advice for one who wishes to succeed in study other than toil and perseverance. It was told of him that during study he was so absorbed in a question that he was unaware of his surroundings, and even important meetings were deferred for the sake of study time. When once asked how one reaches depth, he replied: by studying the question again and again, until its depth is revealed.
Students
Teachers
Grave Site
Grave Details
- Grave Name
- Shomrei Shabbat Cemetery
- City
- Bnei Brak
- Country
- Israel
Timeline
Birth in Kosava, Grodno region
Travels to study in Brisk and returns to Kosava
Begins publishing the 'Chazon Ish' books
Immigrates to the Land of Israel and settles in Bnei Brak
Passing in Bnei Brak; burial in the Shomrei Shabbat cemetery
Legacy
The legacy of the Chazon Ish is evident across every stratum of Haredi Jewry and the halachic world as a whole. His books are studied in every yeshiva and kollel and cited in every central halachic discussion; his way of analysis and decision gave rise to an entire school of learners and decisors. 'Emunah u'Bitachon' remained a foundational book in education toward faith in divine providence. His public leadership shaped the character of Haredi society in the Land of Israel during the era of transition from the diaspora to the state, and his disciples and nephews continued his path in leading the Lithuanian public in the generations that followed.