Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz
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Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz (אברהם ישעיה קרליץ) (also "Yishayahu", "Yeshayah", "Yeshayah", "Yishaya" - in English Abraham Isaiah Karelitz) (1878-1953) known by his pen name as the Chazon Ish (חזון אי"ש) ("Vision [of] Man"), was a Belarusian born Orthodox rabbi who became leader of Haredi Judaism in Israel. His final 20 years were in Israel from 1933 to 1953.
Born in Kosava (today in Belarus ), Karelitz received his education from his father, head of the beth din (religious court) there. In 1911 he published his first work on Orach Chayim and other parts of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law by Rabbi Yosef Karo) in Vilna, anonymously under the title Chazon Ish, the name by which he became almost exclusively known.
He moved to Vilna in about 1920, and became close to Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, consulting with him in all religious and communal matters. Encouraged by Grodzinski and with Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook’s help, the Chazon Ish settled in the British Mandate of Palestine in 1933.
Karelitz manifested unusual talent and diligence from an early age. He devoted his life to the study of the Torah and Talmud, although also learning such sciences as astronomy, anatomy, mathematics, and botany, since he felt that knowledge of these subjects was necessary for a full understanding of various aspects of Jewish law and practice. After his marriage, he continued to lead an extremely modest life, his wife providing for their needs while he spent day and night in deep Talmudic study. He did not have any children.
The reputation of the Chazon Ish for saintliness and knowledge was widespread and people from all walks of life would frequent his home, for scholarly discussions or to seek advice on religious, business, or personal problems, or simply to receive his blessing. When in 1933 he settled in the Land of Israel, his house in Bnei Brak became the address for thousands who sought his guidance.
Holding no official position, the Chazon Ish nevertheless became a recognized worldwide authority on all matters relating to Jewish law and life. He was not appointed as communal leader, yet he exerted an enormous influence on the life and institutions of religious Jewry. He did not publish many responsa, but became the supreme authority on halakha (Jewish law). David Ben-Gurion, the prime minister of Israel, visited him once to discuss political-religious issues.
He belonged to no official movement. He loved and respected all beings and is equally admired by all, without exception – by Hasidim, Mitnagdim, Ashkenazim, Sefardim, Haredim, Datiim, Hilonim, Zionists, Anti-Zionists, and others. Today there is hardly a town in Israel without a street named in his honor. Although essentially an academic scholar, he applied himself to practical problems, devoting much effort to the strengthening of religious life and institutions. His rulings on the use of the milking machine on Shabbat and on cultivation by hydroponics during the sabbatical year are two illustrations of his practical approach. A model of modesty and kindness, the Chazon Ish wrote over 40 books in clear Hebrew, in polished and precise style, which are models of lucidity and brilliance.
The true legacy of the Chazon Ish is the promotion of clarity in Talmud study, devotion in the worship of God, and loving-kindness in human interactions.
A powerfully moving portrait of Chazon Ish by his onetime disciple, the Yiddish poet and novelist Chaim Grade, is to be found in Grade's epic novel "Tsemakh Atlas: Di Yeshive" (New York & Los Angeles: Yiddish Natzyonaln Arbeiter Farband, 1967-1968); translated in English as "The Yeshiva" [Curt Leviant, tr.] (Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1976-1977). Chazon Ish appears there as "Rav Yeshayahu Kossover."
