Shmuel Kamenetsky
Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky | |
---|---|
![]() Shmuel Kamenetsky in 2016 | |
Personal | |
Born | Tytuvėnai (Tzetivyan), Lithuania | November 12, 1924
Religion | Judaism |
Nationality | American |
Spouse | Temi Brooks |
Parent(s) | Yaakov Kamenetsky and Ettil Kamenetsky |
Denomination | Orthodox |
Alma mater | Beth Medrash Govoha, Ner Israel Rabbinical College |
Occupation | Rosh yeshiva |
Position | Rosh yeshiva |
Yeshiva | Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia |
Residence | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Rav_Shmuel_Kamenetsky.jpg/275px-Rav_Shmuel_Kamenetsky.jpg)
Shmuel Kamenetsky (born November 12, 1924) is an American Haredi rabbi. He is the co-founder and rosh yeshiva (dean) of the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. He is also a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah (Council of Torah Sages).
Early life
[edit]Kamenetsky was born in Tytuvėnai, Lithuania to Yaakov Kamenetsky, then that town's rabbi. After the family's emigration in 1937, he attended Eitz Chaim Day Schools in Toronto,[2] then studied at Ner Israel Rabbinical College under his father's cousin, Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman. He went on to study at Lakewood Yeshiva, becoming a primary student of Aharon Kotler, from whom he received rabbinic ordination.
Career
[edit]In the mid-1950s,[3] Moishele Lipschitz, known as "The Philadelphia Rebbe" or "Der Zegster Tzadik", petitioned Kotler to facilitate the establishment of a yeshiva in Philadelphia. Kotler's colleague Nosson Meir Wachtfogel then chose Kamenetsky to accomplish this task, with the latter recruiting Kotler's son-in law Dov Schwartzman to join him as a partner. Together they founded the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia at 3003 Berks Street in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood.[4] In 1956, Schwartzman departed to open his own yeshiva in Israel, and Kamenetsky called upon Elya Svei[5] to serve as co-rosh yeshiva. This arrangement continued until Svei's death in March 2009.
Kamenetsky is a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America[6][7] and serves on the rabbinical board of organizations including Chinuch Atzmai (Torah Schools for Israel), Torah Umesorah, the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, and the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals.
Opinions
[edit]Kamenetsky's opinion is frequently sought and quoted on current issues such as same-sex attraction,[8] child molestation,[9] obesity and dieting,[10] smoking,[11] and drinking alcohol to excess on Purim.[12]
Kamenetsky and his wife Temi believe that vaccines are more harmful than the diseases they prevent. He said, "I see vaccinations as the problem. It's a hoax. Even the Salk vaccine is a hoax. It is just big business".[13] He has supported the idea that a child cannot be refused entry into a school for refusing to vaccinate.[14] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kamenetsky denied that he ever instructed anyone to refuse to take the vaccine, stating that a letter publicized to this effect was a forgery.[15][16] In a rebuttal letter, he stated his opinion that each individual should ask his own doctor.[17][18]
In July 2020, Kamenetsky endorsed the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign, stating "Yes, I think people should vote for him. He’s done a good job. It’s hakaras hatov."[19]
Personal life
[edit]Kamenetsky's wife, Temi, was the daughter of Mordechai Brooks, a cantor. Born c.1929,[20] she grew up in Brooklyn, New York,[21] and died on January 10, 2022.[22]
In 2023, Kamenetsky was hospitalized after suffering a stroke.[23][24] After being released to a rehabilitation facility, he developed pneumonia and was re-hospitalized.[25]
References
[edit]- ^ "Gedolim Portraits".
- ^ Klein, Devorah (May 24, 2017). "Eitz Chaim Schools to Celebrate 100th anniversary". Community. Hamodia. p. 13.
Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlita, an alumnus...
- ^ Birnbaum, Rabbi Avraham (2011). "Rav Dov Schwartzman, zt"l". Yated Ne'eman. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
- ^ Safier, Dovi (April 3, 2023). "Mother of All Yeshivas". Mishpacha. Cedarhurst, New York. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Tannenbaum, Rabbi Gershon (April 1, 2009). "Rabbi Elya Svei (1924–2009) Rosh Yeshiva Philadelphia". The Jewish Press. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved December 28, 2010.
- ^ "Six Gedolim Added To Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah Of Agudas Yisroel". Yeshiva World News. September 14, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- ^ By: The “Hamodia Staff” (September 14, 2020). "Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah Call on Community to Achieve Improvements; New Chavrei HaMoetzes Welcomed". Hamodia. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
- ^ Goldberg, Arthur. "A Discussion with Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky on 'SSA'" (PDF). Hakira, the Flatbush Journal of Jewish Law and Thought. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
- ^ Berger, Paul (August 2, 2011). "Leiby Kletzky Murder Reignites Fight Over Reporting Abuse". The Jewish Daily Forward. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
- ^ "'We Have To Control Ourselves': SOVEYA Interview With Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky" (PDF). Switchh. 4 (3). 2010.
- ^ "Rabbi Shmuel against smoking". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2013. (video)
- ^ "New York – Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky: 'It is an Aveira to Get Drunk on Purim'". Vos Iz Neias?. February 12, 2010. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
- ^ Bridwell, Lindsey (August 28, 2014) "A Healthy Dose?", Baltimore Jewish Times. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
- ^ Blau, Reuven (May 23, 2019). "Anti-Vaccine Rabbi Sits on Prominent Ultra-Orthodox Panel as Measles Spread". The City. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ "Rav Kamenetsky: My Signature On Anti-Covid Vaccine Propaganda is a Forgery". Baltimore Jewish Life. December 14, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "Forgery: Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Kaminetzky Never Signed Any Letter About COVID Vaccine". Yeshiva World News. December 14, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ "Forgery: Harav Shmuel Kamenetzky Disputes Individuals Who Falsely Claimed His Endorsement Against COVID Vaccine". The Lakewood Scoop. December 14, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ "Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky Responds to a False Letter Regarding Covid Vaccine, In His Name". 5 Towns Central. December 14, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ Hanau, Shira (July 29, 2020). "Leading Orthodox rabbi endorses Donald Trump for reelection". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ Saphirstein, Shabsie (January 12, 2022). "Reflecting on the Life of Rebbetzin Temi Kamenetsky a'h". Queens Jewish Link. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Gebber, Leah. "The Rebbetzin's Perspective: A Schmooze with Rebbetzin Temi Kamenetsky". Mishpacha Family First, September 27, 2012, pp. 26–32.
- ^ (January 10, 2022) "BDE: Petirah of Rebetzin Temi Kamenetsky, A'H, Wife of Maran HaGaon Shmuel Kamenetsky, Shlita", Baltimore Jewish Life. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ "Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky Hospitalized After Suffering Stroke". Vos Iz Neias?. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ "Tehillim: Hagaon HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky Suffers Stroke; Next 24 Hours Critical". Yeshiva World News. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ "Tefillos for Maran Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky". Matzav.com. May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.