Reb Moshe • Rav Moshe
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein
Era of the AcharonimRabbi Moshe Feinstein was one of the foremost halakhic authorities of recent generations and a leading figure of Torah Judaism in the twentieth century. He was born on 7 Adar 5655 (1895) in the town of Uzda, in the Minsk Governorate of the Russian Empire (present-day Belarus), to…
Biography
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein was one of the foremost halakhic authorities of recent generations and a leading figure of Torah Judaism in the twentieth century. He was born on 7 Adar 5655 (1895) in the town of Uzda, in the Minsk Governorate of the Russian Empire (present-day Belarus), to his father Rabbi David Feinstein — rabbi of the local Hasidic community and a descendant of the Vilna Gaon — and his mother Feige Gittel, daughter of Rabbi Yitzchak Yechiel Davidovich, av beit din of Karlich and a descendant of the Shlah HaKadosh. He was born on the date of both the birth and passing of Moses our Teacher — the seventh of Adar — and was named after him. For many years he served as rabbi of the town of Lyuban in Belarus, and in 1936 he immigrated to the United States. He settled on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where he became the rosh yeshiva of Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem. From that small place he grew to become one of the most prominent leaders of Torah Judaism in America and throughout the world. He served as president of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada, and as chairman of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America from the 1960s until his passing. His central work, the responsa "Igrot Moshe" in nine volumes, is considered one of the foundational works of halakha in the twentieth century, and his rulings are frequently cited in contemporary rabbinic literature. He passed away on 13 Adar II 5746 (1986), at the age of ninety-one, and was buried in the rabbis' section at Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem.
Life Story
Childhood
Already in his childhood his extraordinary talent was revealed. It is told that at the age of ten he was fluent in the tractates of Bava Kamma, Bava Metzia, and Bava Batra. At twelve he moved with his family to the city of Starubin, and before he turned thirteen he was sent to study at the Etz Chaim yeshiva under Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer, one of the great yeshiva heads of his generation.
Teachers
His foremost teachers were Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer, one of the great yeshiva heads in Lithuania, and Rabbi Pesach Pruskin, who served as mashgiach at the Slutzk yeshiva and later founded a yeshiva in Shklov, which the young Rabbi Feinstein joined.
Students
His many students sat before him at Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem in New York, and many of them continued in his path of teaching and halakhic adjudication. His two sons, Rabbi Dovid Feinstein and Rabbi Reuven Feinstein, continued his way in leading the yeshiva and in halakhic instruction.
Family
He married Shima Kustanovich in 1920. The couple had five children, including Rabbi Dovid Feinstein and Rabbi Reuven Feinstein, who continued his path in leading Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem. His family was characterized by humility and modesty.
Key Events
For sixteen years he served as rabbi of the town of Lyuban in Belarus. In 1936, as difficulties intensified under Soviet rule, he immigrated to the United States and settled on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. There he began to lead Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem, and from there he became one of the most prominent leaders of Torah Judaism in America.
Influence
Rabbi Feinstein's influence extended beyond the boundaries of the Haredi community in the United States and reached all of the Jewish people. His halakhic responsa, in their sharpness and depth, were considered most authoritative, and many regarded him as the greatest halakhic authority of his generation. His presidency of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis and of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah made him the decisive voice on central halakhic questions of the twentieth century.
Death
He passed away on 13 Adar II 5746 (March 23, 1986), at the age of ninety-one, in New York. He was brought to rest in the rabbis' section at Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem, and hundreds of thousands accompanied the funeral procession.
Writings
Igrot Moshe
Responsa and Halakhic Rulings
A comprehensive responsa collection in nine volumes, dealing with a wide range of halakhic topics — from the laws of Shabbat and kashrut to modern medicine and technology. Considered one of the central works of halakha in the twentieth century, and its rulings are frequently cited in contemporary rabbinic literature.
Dibrot Moshe
Novellae on the Talmud
A series of in-depth lessons on the Talmud, in ten volumes. Reflects his profound and original method of Talmud study, and is considered a cornerstone in the study of talmudic sugyot.
Darash Moshe
Sermons and Thought
A collection of sermons and writings on the festivals and Jewish thought, expressing his spiritual outlook and his approach to understanding the place of Torah in the life of the nation.
His Way and Views
Torah Study
Rabbi Feinstein held that depth of understanding in a subject is the essence of Torah study, not merely the breadth of knowledge. His method of study was characterized by great precision, searching for the common denominator, and clarifying the foundations of a sugya to their very root. His work "Dibrot Moshe" reflects his profound method of Talmud study.
Halacha
He was considered one of the greatest halakhic authorities of recent generations. His halakhic responsa, collected in the "Igrot Moshe," deal with a wide range of topics — from the laws of Shabbat and kashrut to modern medicine and technology. He was characterized by an independent and original approach, and did not refrain from introducing innovations and ruling with novel methods, while standing firm on the foundations of halakha.
Faith
He stood firm in his belief that the Torah is the sole source of life for the Jewish people, and that in every period and every circumstance one can find the proper guidance within it. Both during the intensification of difficulties under Soviet rule in Russia, and in modern America, he believed that halakha preserves the Jewish people under all conditions.
Ethics
He was distinguished by extraordinary humility, despite his greatness in Torah and his central position. His way in middot was simple and upright, and he was careful to honor every person, from every class and every sector. He was characterized by great sensitivity to the suffering of others and understanding of their hardships.
Customs
He led his yeshiva with simplicity and modesty, and did not seek honor. Yet he stood firm in his halakhic principles and did not yield to pressure, even when his opinions were disputed.
Character
He was a man of humility, patience, and love for all people. He opened his doors to every questioner and every seeker of advice, and devoted long hours to answering halakhic questions that arrived from all corners of the Jewish world.
Public Role
He saw himself as a shepherd for all of Israel, not only for the Haredi community. His responsa were written in clear and understandable language, and he strove to make halakha accessible to every questioner. He maintained relationships with rabbis and leaders from various sectors, and was careful to honor all who study Torah.
Famous Quotes
"Every Jew, in every place and every circumstance, can fulfill the will of the Almighty — there is no situation that can prevent this."
"The Torah is the heritage of all Israel, and each and every one can reach greatness in it if they devote their soul to its study."
Students
Teachers
Grave Site
Grave Details
- Grave Name
- Rabbis' Section, Har HaMenuchot
- City
- Jerusalem
- Country
- Israel
Timeline
Born in Uzda, Minsk Governorate, on 7 Adar 5655
At age 12, sent to study at the Etz Chaim yeshiva under Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer
Married Shima Kustanovich
Served as rabbi of the town of Lyuban in Belarus for sixteen years
Immigrated to the United States and began leading Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem in New York
Began serving as chairman of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America
Passed away on 13 Adar II 5746 and was buried at Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem
Legacy
Rabbi Feinstein's legacy is evident throughout the Torah world. His work "Igrot Moshe" has become a foundational work in contemporary halakhic adjudication, and his rulings are studied and cited throughout the Jewish world. His two sons, Rabbi Dovid and Rabbi Reuven, continued his path in leading Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem. His figure stands as a symbol of Torah greatness, humility, and devotion to halakha, and his influence is felt in the yeshiva world and in halakhic adjudication to this day.