Meir Brandsdorfer

Rabbi Meir Brandsdorfer (7 September 1934 - 13 May 2009) was a member of the Rabbinical Court of the Edah HaChareidis, the Haredi Ashkenazi community in Jerusalem, and was in charge of their Kashrut operations, especially matters of Shechita.

He was a proclaimed mohel. His responsa have been published under the title Knei Bosem.

Biography

He was born on 7 September 1934 in Antwerp, Belgium to his parents Shlomo and Frumt. After surviving World War II while hiding out in France he moved to Palestine together with his family.

He became the rabbinical leader of Toldos Aharon movement of Hasidim, based in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Meah Shearim; when Toldos Aharon's previous Rebbe died, he joined the split-off named Toldos Avraham Yitzchok. He was highly respected and eulogized by both groups upon his death.

The position of rabbinical leader in a Hasidic dynasty is not identical to that of Rebbe: the Rebbe is the spiritual leader, while the rabbinical leader - Rabbi - is the Halachic expert, who leads the group in questions of Jewish law. While in some Hasidic groups the Rebbe also fulfills the position of rabbinical leader, in other groups this position is separate.

He suddenly died at home on 13 May 2009 at the age of 74 from cardiovascular disease.

As of 15 May 2009, it is still unknown who will replace him as a member of the rabbinical court (Badatz) of the Edah HaChareidis.

Works

• Knei Bosem Volume 1
• Knei Bosem Volume 2
• Knei Bosem Volume 3
• Knei Bosem Niddah Volume 1
• Knei Bosem Niddah Volume 2

External links

• YWN.com report on petira of Rav Meir Brandsdorfer
• Arutz Sheva on passing away of Rabbi Meir Brandsdorfer
• Ynetnews.com (Yedioth Ahronoth): "Rabbi Meir Brandsdorfer dies in home"
• Pictures of funeral procession, attended by thousands