Shmuel Kamenetsky
Encyclopedia
Shmuel Kamenetsky is a Haredi
rabbi
and co-founder and rosh yeshiva
(dean) of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia
. He is one of the best-known living Haredi Litvish Jewish
gedolim
outside Israel and the best-known son of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky
(1891–1986), one of America's greatest Torah leaders.
, from whom he received semicha (rabbinic ordination). Prior to studying in Kotler's Lakewood Yeshiva
, Kamenetsky learned in Ner Israel Rabbinical College under the tutelage of his father's cousin, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman.
In the mid-1950s, as part of the Lakewood Yeshiva's effort to establish out-of-town yeshivas, Kamenetzky and Rabbi Dov Schwartzman were sent to head the new Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. In 1955 Schwartzman departed to open his yeshiva in Israel and was replaced as rosh yeshiva by Rabbi Elya Svei
, with whom Kamenetsky served as co-rosh yeshiva until Svei's death in March 2009.
Kamenetsky is a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah
of Agudath Israel of America
and serves on the rabbinical board of many organizations, including Chinuch Atzmai
(Torah Schools for Israel), Torah Umesorah, the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation
and the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals (AJOP).
His opinion is frequently sought and quoted on current issues such as same-sex attraction
, child molestation
, obesity
and dieting, smoking, and getting drunk on Purim
. His approbation is also sought for Torah books in English.
His sons are Rabbi Sholom Kamenetsky, an instructor of Talmud in the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia; Rabbi Avrohom Kamenetsky, an instructor of Talmud at Yeshivas Bais Yisroel in Jerusalem; Dov Kamenetsky, a well-known philanthropist and real estate magnate in Toronto; Rabbi Zev Kamenetsky of Lakewood, New Jersey, an instructor of Talmud at Belmar yeshiva; and Rabbi Dovid Kamenetsky, a Talmud instructor at Yeshivat Darche Noam/Shapell's in Jerusalem. His son-in-law is Rabbi Tzvi Berkowitz
, a noted lecturer at Ner Israel Rabbinical College.
Haredi Judaism
Haredi or Charedi/Chareidi Judaism is the most conservative form of Orthodox Judaism, often referred to as ultra-Orthodox. A follower of Haredi Judaism is called a Haredi ....
rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
and co-founder and rosh yeshiva
Rosh yeshiva
Rosh yeshiva, , , is the title given to the dean of a Talmudical academy . It is made up of the Hebrew words rosh — meaning head, and yeshiva — a school of religious Jewish education...
(dean) of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia
Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia
The Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, known as "Philly", is a Haredi Litvish yeshiva. Its roshei yeshiva are Rabbi Elya Svei, Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rabbi Yehudah Svei and Rabbi Sholom Kaminetsky...
. He is one of the best-known living Haredi Litvish Jewish
Lithuanian Jews
Lithuanian Jews or Litvaks are Jews with roots in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania:...
gedolim
Gadol
Gadol or godol גדול , is a Hebrew term used mostly by Haredi Litvish Jews to refer to the most revered rabbis of their generation. These rabbis are usually held in high esteem by other Haredi or Orthodox Jews, though not necessarily to the same degree as by Litvish Jews...
outside Israel and the best-known son of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky
Yaakov Kamenetsky
Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky , was a prominent rosh yeshiva, posek and Talmudist in the post-World War II American Jewish community....
(1891–1986), one of America's greatest Torah leaders.
Biography
Kamenetzky was a primary student of Rabbi Aharon KotlerAharon Kotler
Aharon Kotler was an Orthodox Jewish rabbi and a prominent leader of Orthodox Judaism in Lithuania, and later the United States, where he built Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood Township, New Jersey.- Early life :...
, from whom he received semicha (rabbinic ordination). Prior to studying in Kotler's Lakewood Yeshiva
Beth Medrash Govoha
Beth Medrash Govoha is a Haredi yeshiva located in Lakewood Township, New Jersey. It is commonly known as BMG, or Lakewood Yeshiva....
, Kamenetsky learned in Ner Israel Rabbinical College under the tutelage of his father's cousin, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman.
In the mid-1950s, as part of the Lakewood Yeshiva's effort to establish out-of-town yeshivas, Kamenetzky and Rabbi Dov Schwartzman were sent to head the new Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. In 1955 Schwartzman departed to open his yeshiva in Israel and was replaced as rosh yeshiva by Rabbi Elya Svei
Elya Svei
Rabbi Elya Svei was the Rosh Yeshiva of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia together with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, and was internationally known for his incisive, brilliant and clear shiurim , and his ability to offer sage advice to thousands of Jews worldwide...
, with whom Kamenetsky served as co-rosh yeshiva until Svei's death in March 2009.
Kamenetsky is a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah refers to the supreme rabbinical policy-making council of any of several related Haredi Jewish organizations....
of Agudath Israel of America
Agudath Israel of America
Agudath Israel of America , is a Haredi Jewish communal organization in the United States loosely affiliated with the international World Agudath Israel.-Functions:...
and serves on the rabbinical board of many organizations, including Chinuch Atzmai
Chinuch Atzmai
Chinuch Atzmai was founded in 1953 by the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah to serve as an alternate school system for Orthodox children in Israel. It was initially led by Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin....
(Torah Schools for Israel), Torah Umesorah, the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation
Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation
The Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation is a non-profit Orthodox Jewish organization based in Monsey, New York, United States, dedicated to spreading the teachings of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan who was known as the Chofetz Chaim based on his work of Jewish ethics of the same name dealing with the...
and the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals (AJOP).
His opinion is frequently sought and quoted on current issues such as same-sex attraction
Same-sex attraction
Same-sex attraction is a term occasionally used instead of the more common term homosexuality to refer to a person's feelings of sexual attraction toward members of the same gender identity....
, child molestation
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
, obesity
Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems...
and dieting, smoking, and getting drunk on Purim
Purim
Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther .Purim is celebrated annually according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th...
. His approbation is also sought for Torah books in English.
His sons are Rabbi Sholom Kamenetsky, an instructor of Talmud in the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia; Rabbi Avrohom Kamenetsky, an instructor of Talmud at Yeshivas Bais Yisroel in Jerusalem; Dov Kamenetsky, a well-known philanthropist and real estate magnate in Toronto; Rabbi Zev Kamenetsky of Lakewood, New Jersey, an instructor of Talmud at Belmar yeshiva; and Rabbi Dovid Kamenetsky, a Talmud instructor at Yeshivat Darche Noam/Shapell's in Jerusalem. His son-in-law is Rabbi Tzvi Berkowitz
Tzvi Berkowitz
Tzvi Berkowitz is an Orthodox rabbi, Talmudist, and lecturer at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel , Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States, and teaches the highest-level Talmud shiur , numbering over 100 advanced students, considered relatively large for such institutions.-Personal and professional...
, a noted lecturer at Ner Israel Rabbinical College.