Rabbi Yehuda Shapira

Rabbi Yehuda Shapira (known as Reb Yudel) was one of the foremost halachic decisors of the Lithuanian Haredi public and a head of the Chazon Ish Kollel. He was born in Jerusalem on the 24th of Tishrei 5684 (4 October 1923) to Shimon Zeidel and Esther Shapira, an old-established Jerusalem family. He studied at the Etz Chaim institutions, and in his youth drew close to the Chazon Ish, who lived in Bnei Brak. He would travel to him throughout the week, dwelling with him and his circle of disciples in Torah study, and returning home only for Shabbat. In time he became one of the Chazon Ish's close disciples, and the Chazon Ish held him in special esteem alongside his colleagues Rabbi Chaim Brim and Rabbi Moshe Yehoshua Landa. He married Bluma, daughter of Rabbi Meir Cohen of Batei Ungarin, yet even after his marriage he kept his routine: all weekdays in Bnei Brak, and Shabbatot in Jerusalem. After his teacher's passing he moved to Bnei Brak and was appointed one of the heads of the Chazon Ish Kollel alongside his colleagues Rabbi Nissim Karelitz and Rabbi Gedalia Nadel. The Steipler named him the supreme halachic authority of the Lederman Synagogue, and would consult him on halachic matters himself. Rabbi Shapira lived with his family in a modest three-room apartment on Rechov Rashbam in Shikun Chazon Ish, and was recognized as one of the leading decisors there. Alongside the world of halachic ruling, he was involved in public questions: he served as an arbiter in a dispute that arose at Yeshivat Chevron in the 1980s, and in 1992 he mediated between Agudat Yisrael and Degel HaTorah. Rabbi Shach esteemed him and consulted with him on various matters. The outreach figure Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak regards him as his primary teacher, and Rabbi Shapira served as president of the 'Shofar' organization. He also dealt extensively with matters of marital peace, education, and reconciliation. He passed away on the 17th of Nisan 5769 (11 April 2009), during Chol HaMoed Pesach, at the age of 85. Eulogies at his funeral were delivered by Rabbi Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach, and Rabbi Nissim Karelitz, and further eulogies were held at the Chazon Ish Kollel and the Lederman Synagogue. He was buried in the Shomrei Shabbat cemetery in Bnei Brak.

Rabbi Yehuda Shapira left a legacy of lucid and meticulous halachic ruling and of modest leadership. His disciples and admirers published his writings and lectures in the volumes Gevurat Yehuda, Da'at Yehuda, and BeKharmei Yehuda, which serve to this day as a source of concise responsa in halacha and conduct. Many of his sons and sons-in-law followed his path in the service of Torah and halachic ruling.