By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

Ten years ago, Klal Yisroel lost an extraordinary Rosh Yeshiva, a world-class Posek, and a remarkable Tzaddik – Rav Yisroel Belsky, zichron tzaddik v’kadosh livracha. His petirah on the 18th of Shvat 5776 (January 28, 2016) tore a gaping hole in the fabric of Torah leadership that remains painfully felt to this very day.

Rav Elya Katz Shlita, a Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Torah VaDaas, stated at the levaya that Rav Belsky was the embodiment of the Yeshiva. He was head of the Yeshiva, the heart of the Yeshiva and the eyes of the Yeshiva. Indeed, Rav Belsky had spent 72 years within the walls of Torah Vodaas – from early childhood through the last five years of his life when he served as its Rosh Yeshiva. As he himself said in his later years, his greatest legacy would be through the scores of talmidim who passed through Room 206 in Mesivta Torah Vodaas in the half century that he was their Rebbi.

Just one small example of his extraordinary tzidkus occurred two months before he passed away. Rav Belsky was very ill, in tremendous pain, and could barely walk. And yet Rav Belsky arranged a Get for an Agunah whose husband had violated the trust of numerous young people. Rav Belsky’s remarkable personality was instrumental in arranging for this woman’s freedom. She told me all about it the next day. This former Agunah had tears of joy as she expressed her remarkable admiration for Rav Belsky who was so instrumental in freeing her.

Moreinu HaRav HaGaon Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky zatzal, passed away at the age of 77. In the words of the maspidim – he was an outstanding Talmid Chochom and Tzaddik that served as a Rosh Yeshiva in Torah v’Daas, a world-class Posek in the largest kashrus agency in the world, and the Rav of Camp Agudah for many years.  Rosh Yeshiva, renowned Posek, Av Beis Din, kashrus expert, mohel, sofer, shochet, musician, artist – and the list goes on. Rav Yisroel Belsky was all of these and much, much more.

Rav Shimon Finkelman shlita wrote a Sefer published by Artscroll about Rav Belsky zt“l. Toward the end there were so many stories of his tzidkus that they just had to simply decide to stop. This was the type of Tzaddik Rav Belsky was. His granddaughter Etti Goldstein also authored a beautifully written children’s biography designed for younger readers, ensuring that the story of this Gadol would inspire the next generation as well.

Rav Belsky had studied in Yeshiva Torah VaDaas, under Rav Moshe Feinstein zatzal, and in Beis Medrash Elyon in Monsey, where he became one of its most prominent talmidim.

PRODIGIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Rav Belsky’s prodigious accomplishments range the full gamut of activity. He served as a magid shiur in Yeshiva Torah Vodaas for over half a century. He ruled on thousands and thousands of halachic questions for the Orthodox Union, where he served as senior halachic consultant since 1987 – a position he held for more than 28 years. And there are literally thousands of hours of his recorded shiurim available in Torah libraries across the country – all delivered by him. The shiurim are filled with the classic thinking of Gedolei HaRishonim and Acharonim as well as his own chiddushim.

Rav Belsky zt“l gave regular shiurim in the Daf Yomi, Yore Deah, Chumash and Rashi, and much more. His chiddushei Torah have been published in volumes titled Piskei Halachos, Einei Yisroel on Chumash, Sha’alos U’Teshuvos Shulchan Halevi, and other publications.

Aside from all this he served as Rav, Masmidim Program Director and general mashpia on thousands of young men in Camp Agudah in Ferndale, New York. He also served as a member of the Iggud HaRabbonim Beis Din under Rav Yitzchok Isaac Liebes, Rav Baruch Leizerowski and Rav Herschel Kurzrock.

Rabbi Menachem Genack of the OU described him at the levaya with words reminiscent of the Rambam’s description of the Ri Migash – that “his intellect was frightening throughout the Talmud.” In the same way, all who knew Rav Belsky were struck by his exceptional brilliance and his commanding mastery of the entirety of Torah.

A LIVING FATHER TO HIS TALMIDIM

Rav Belsky’s relationship with his Talmidim and campers was like that of a loving father. More than simply delivering shiurim, Rav Belsky was a super-Rebbi, mashgiach and counselor rolled into one. He spent the entire day with his beloved talmidim as he bonded with them and taught lifelong lessons.

One summer it was arranged that his masmidim shiur was to be taken over by someone else. When he noticed the sadness on the faces of four of the students, he worked out that he would give them a private shiur in the laws of chazara and shehiya on Shabbos – at six o’clock in the morning. To this day, the boys – now grown men, remember those halachos particularly well.

On one occasion, a camper was hospitalized with a serious brain tumor in a hospital some four hours away. Entirely unfazed by the distance, Rav Belsky drove the four hours to the hospital, spent a few hours with the young man, and drove the four hours back.

On another occasion, a young student who was confined in a wheelchair quietly expressed to someone that he would love to attend one of the camps’ hikes. Rav Belsky, a man of immense physical strength, carried him on his shoulders for the next hike for five hours straight. Not many people can manage an extra 140 to 160 pounds on one’s shoulders for a full five hours. This was an extraordinary feat of strength. The young man is now a remarkable Talmid Chochom himself and is a neighbor of this author’s relative.

He travelled with his talmidim to Niagara Falls and went on other camp trips, all the time inspiring them. Canoeing down the rapids, he would point out unusual animals and plant life. At bonfires and barbecues he regaled the masmidim with inspirational stories and niggunim of old. Once in camp on a five-hour bus ride, he reviewed the entire masechta of Gittin with Rashi and Tosfos. As a young camp counselor, he was known to learn Mishnayos between pitches as he umpired a baseball game. Sports to Rav Belsky were a way of enjoying Hashem’s world. He played paddleball, hiked, and went swimming during the summers. Once, standing in the OU office whose windows overlooked the Statue of Liberty, he wistfully remarked, “I can swim from here to the Statue and back.” He was a powerful swimmer who never hesitated to swim against the current – literally and figuratively.

INTERTWINED WITH YESHIVA TORAH VODAAS

The story of Rav Yisroel Belsky zatzal is intertwined with the story of Yeshiva Torah VaDaas. Reb Binyomin Wilhelm, Rav Belsky’s maternal grandfather, was one of the three founders of yeshiva Torah VaDaas. In 1919, while attempting to recruit students for his new yeshiva, he had convinced Reb Yisroel and Leah Belsky to enroll their son Berl in the fledgling new Yeshiva located in Williamsburg. Reb Berl enrolled and developed a close kesher with Reb Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz. Soon, Reb Berl went back to Europe to study in Radin under the saintly Chofetz Chaim himself. The Chofetz Chaim valued Reb Berl and would often caress his arm lovingly and declare with surprise, “Fuhn America!” The Chofetz Chaim was amazed that such a prize Talmid could have emerged from the melting pot of assimilation that was America.

Reb Berl would later teach his son, Reb Yisroel Belsky the Chofetz Chaim’s niggunim. Reb Yisroel’s mastery of niggunim was legendary as well, and he taught these niggunim to Talmidim and campers alike. There are literally thousands of bochurim now singing the unique Yeshiva niggunim of a century ago – all because of Rav Belsky. Indeed, Camp Agudah once published an entire bentcher just of unique and inspiring Niggunim that were vouchsafed for the future by Rav Belsky.

When Reb Berl returned from Radin, Reb Shraga Feivel Mendelevitch suggested the shidduch of Reb Binyomin Wilhelm’s daughter, Chana Tzirel. Rav Yisroel Belsky, born on August 22, 1938, was their b’chor.

At the age of 24, Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky had asked Rav Belsky to take over the shiur of Rav Zelig Epstein zt“l – one of the venerable ziknei HaRoshei yeshiva. His students then were among the leading Bnei Torah in the country. Some of them became Roshei yeshiva in their own right.

Rav Belsky would eventually become a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva Torah Vodaas. Rav Belsky taught at the Yeshiva for over half a century. For a while, he even taught mathematics there as well. Despite his remarkable brilliance, he had no airs about him – his humble beginnings included starting out as a math teacher in Torah Vodaas, his first kashrus position was with the Kof-K, and he served as a counselor and learning instructor in Camp Agudah. No job was too trivial for him.

A PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIP DECLINED

As a young man, Rav Belsky was offered a prestigious academic scholarship, a testament to his extraordinary intellectual abilities that extended far beyond Torah. At a critical turning point of his life, he ultimately declined the scholarship in order to dedicate himself fully to learning Torah. It was a defining moment that set the trajectory for the rest of his remarkable life – a life wholly devoted to Torah, to Klal Yisroel, and to the pursuit of emes.

CLOSE TO GREAT LUMINARIES

Rav Belsky learned under the great luminaries of Torah Vodaas. He was very close with Rav Zelig Epstein, Rav Elya Chazan, and his Rebbe Muvhak – Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky zt“l. Rav Yaakov inspired him to master Tanach among his other limmudim too. He was very close to Rav Avrohom Pam zt“l and was also related to him.

Rav Belsky received Smicha from Torah VaDaas in 1962 and then went on to receive shimush from the Gadol haDor, Rav Moshe Feinstein zatzal. He received Smicha from Rav Moshe in 1965. Beginning at age 17, he had studied at Beis Medrash Elyon in Monsey under Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, becoming one of its most prominent talmidim.

MEMORY AND MASTERY

His recall of every Tosfos in Shas was well known. Rav Dovid Kviat zatzal told this author that Rav Belsky knew kol HaTorah kulah. Rav Yerucham Olshin Shlita stated at the levaya that Rav Belsky’s knowledge was not just broad. He knew all the mekoros well and in great depth.

His ability to rule in numerous areas of halacha was uncanny. His proficiency and familiarity with Kol HaTorah kullah was veritably unmatched. Aside from his vast knowledge in all these areas, he was also a mohel, Schochet and knew the vast intricacies of Safrus too. His mastery of Nikkur was well known – in fact, during the summer months, Rav Belsky would bring boys from Camp Agudah to a plant in Goshen, New York, to show them how nikkur is performed on a deer. He was as much at home in Keilim and Kinim as he was in Baba Metzia and Baba Basra.

He had a remarkable ability to multi-task in an almost supernatural way. He could learn Mishnah Berurah while simultaneously listening to someone else speak. His genius, however, did not rely on innate brilliance alone; he studied diligently, reviewing his learning again and again. Despite his extraordinary intellectual gifts, Torah learning always came through hard work, diligence and perseverance.

Rav Belsky developed a close bond with campers and masmidim in Camp Agudah. He taught two of my sons who attended the Masmidim program. He taught them Torah and much more as well. He taught one of my sons how to tell time at night with just the stars acting as his clock. He taught campers how to swim. He taught them the names of the constellations, the names of all the surrounding trees, and the names of flowers and bushes.

This author once was doing research in libraries and found the original text of Rav Yisroel Salanter’s Iggeres HaMussar. The original text was different than the one printed in the Ohr Yisroel published by Rav Yitzchok Blaser. Rav Belsky gave me a haskama on my translation of the original and proceeded to recite the Igeres HaMussar by heart.

PSAKIM

Rav Belsky zt“l did have some remarkably innovative halachic rulings. He held that even though an akum does not have ne’emanus regarding checking eggs for bloodspots, if one provides a financial reward for every egg with a blood spot that is found, this can be relied upon halachically.

He issued a ruling once regarding the use of a cell phone to prevent yichud in a taxi ride home between a married woman and a taxi driver. He used the cell phone as an additional factor to issue a permissive ruling.

In another innovative psak, Rav Belsky held that it was possible to establish an individual chezkas kashrus on a gentile’s ne’emanus by checking upon him or her three times in specific situations where the gentile is unaware of the fact that he is being checked up on. Other Poskim, however, were not in agreement with this view.

Rav Belsky also held that Styrofoam cups did not have the halachic status of a kli shaini because its walls did not absorb the heat from the liquid inside. This too was rather innovative and was not accepted by other Poskim. In another stringency, Rav Belsky held that during the Nine Days underclothing also had to be pre-worn and otherwise would have been considered freshly laundered.

When the copepod in the New York City water controversy arose, Rav Belsky was one of the few Poskim who ruled leniently. He also issued a lenient ruling regarding the consumption of the anisakis worm in fish. As Rabbi Genack proclaimed at the levaya, “If not for Rav Belsky, none of us here would be eating fish!” Indeed, when the issue of fish infested with Anisakis arose, there was great concern in the halachic world that fish would have to be declared non-kosher. Rav Belsky’s halachic expertise and profound study of the issue convincingly demonstrated that the kosher status of fish could still be affirmed without question.

In the late 1980’s when the Displaced Abomasum of cows controversy arose, he issued a lenient ruling saying that Rav Moshe had already paskened on the issue in his lifetime. The Cholov Yisroel companies chose not to follow his leniency and to this day make sure that all cows that had DA surgery are removed from the line.

Rav Belsky brooked no tolerance for “Halacha by tumult.” He simply could not stand when people with insufficient knowledge of the facts or Halacha made a tempest in a teapot about important halachic matters. He always insisted on knowing the facts before issuing a ruling, and his relentless pursuit of truth was a hallmark of his approach to psak.

BAAL TEFILLAH

Rav Belsky was a master Baal Tefilah. His intense kavanah and his beautiful nusach was enrapturing. He was the Baal Tefilah on Yomim Noraim for Khal Adas Yereim in Kew Gardens for many years. The Rav of the shul was Rav Yaakov Teitelbaum zatzal, the Morah d’Asra of Camp Agudah prior to Rav Belsky.

One could see him occasionally at the late Maariv in the Five Towns at the 11:30 PM minyan at Rav Yaakov Horowitz, the Bostoner Rebbe of Lawrence. Rav Horowitz told me recently that Rav Belsky had also been the Baal Tefilah at the shul of his great-grandfather in Brooklyn a half century earlier.

VAST KNOWLEDGE OF MILI D’ALMA

He not only gave deep shiurim in Gemorah and Halacha, but had a vast knowledge in mili d’alma, worldly matters. He had tremendous intellectual curiosity and was self-taught in many different disciplines. He had a strong grasp of mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, anatomy, botany, zoology, musicology, food technology, and history – all of which he used for the benefit of Torah study. He would often lead campers in trips where he identified for them every tree, plant, insect and star chart. In his work as one of the two Poskim in the Orthodox Union he had a deep grasp of the manufacturing process, never refraining from climbing or getting his hands dirty to investigate manufacturing processes.

There is a legendary story of Rav Belsky gazing at the stars together with his talmidim in Camp Agudah. He suddenly expressed surprise at seeing a star in the sky that he had not noticed before. A call to NASA the next day revealed that it was a star that is only visible on rare occasions. His knowledge of the heavens was that precise.

Rabbi Genack recalled how he first met Rav Belsky on a huge tanker ship used for transporting oil from Asia. Rav Belsky insisted on knowing the kind of metal used for the tanks, the proportions of the tanks, and how the different tanks in the hold of the ship were connected. He literally went into the belly of the boat to ascertain this information. The tanks where the oil was stored were several stories high, and Rav Belsky climbed down on a ladder into one of the tanks. When it came to calculating echad b’shishim for those enormous oil tankers, Rav Belsky was able to make the mathematical calculations entirely in his head.

In a conversation I had with Rav Yisroel Belsky having to do with the halachos of Shechita on the 27th of Tishrei 5769, he explained that the actual Blood Alcohol Content level necessary to be considered “The stage of drunkenness of Lot” would be 0.21% to 0.29% depending upon the person. This was based upon a study by Virginia Tech University ruled by Rabbi Belsky as authoritative entitled “Alcohol’s Effects.”

Another time, I spoke to him about the halachos of when a vessel becomes non-kosher only to Kdai Klipah, i.e. skin deep, how one calculates whether we have shishim of food against the kdai klipah. Within a minute and a half he provided the equation to determine whether hot food subsequently placed in the pot is sixty times the ratio of the kdai klipah of the pot [assuming that in this pot we say cham miktzaso cham kulo]. X represents the percentage of the pot that must be full and m represents in mills the kdai klipah of that particular metal.

x=6m(r+2h)/ rh

Thus, for example, if one were to assume that the kdai klipah of an aluminum pot is one mil and that the pot is ten inches high and ten inches wide the pot must be 3 percent full in order to have shishim against the klipah.

Rabbi Menachem Genack of the OU mentioned this aspect about him at the levaya as well. It was fascinating to hear of someone from the Torah uMadah school speak in such absolute awe of the mathematical mastery of someone from a Torah-only background. Dr. Avrohom Meyer, the OU’s Senior Overseas Field Representative and an internationally-recognized expert on the scientific aspects of kashrus, described Rav Belsky as “the most amazing man I have ever met.” He recalled discussing kashrus and microbiology with Rav Belsky over lunch at an OU conference, and marveled at the intellectual speed, the interest in and understanding of complex science and technology, and the innovative thinking.

At the OU office, Rav Belsky would complete the New York Times Thursday crossword puzzle – notoriously the most difficult of the week – in the space of half an hour during lunch, which usually consisted of a slice of rye bread and a can of sardines.

Another time, I was a Rav in a shul where an actual food and fist fight had emerged after an argument between two of the Baal HaBatim. Rav Belsky was instrumental in deciding how best to deal with both parties. Later, someone had told me that the incident had gotten on one of Rav Belsky’s Hashkafa lessons that he delivered to his Talmidim in Torah Vodaas.

CHAMPION OF RUSSIAN JEWRY

Rav Belsky had a special place in his heart for our brethren that are in and came from the Soviet Union. Remarkably, he taught himself Russian entirely on his own – a language with no parallel to the Yiddish and Lashon Kodesh he was accustomed to. The following summer after learning Russian, two Soviet fellows came to Camp Agudah. They knew no English, and the only one able to communicate with them was Rav Belsky. It was then, Rav Belsky explained, that he understood why Hashem put into his head to learn Russian.

As the Nasi of the Russian Kehilla and leader of the Vaad Lihatzalas Nidchai Yisrael, he devoted himself to helping Russian Jews reclaim their religious heritage. He spent much of his time with them, helping them not only with Torah, but with solving practical problems too.

OHEV ES HABRIOS

Rav Belsky’s entire nature was such that he would empathize wholly and completely with the problem of whoever approached him or called him. He would cry with them. He would spend time with them. From early morning until well past midnight, Rav Belsky was working on behalf of Klal Yisroel, serving as a shliach Hashem and imparting advice and guidance from his wellspring of Torah knowledge.

On one occasion, a man had passed away in Far Rockaway without leaving a child. His only brother was severely developmentally disabled, and the man’s wife faced a difficult halachic question. Could her brother-in-law perform Chalitza or was he considered a halachic shoteh making him ineligible?

The last time this question arose was in the early 1960’s with Rav Moshe Feinstein. I called Rav Belsky at the behest of the man’s Rosh Yeshiva. Rav Belsky immediately asked if I could pick him up to go to the Shiva. I did.

Rav Belsky came down to the shiva home and spent three hours with the deceased man’s family. Rav Belsky consoled and comforted the parents while simultaneously determining the status of the brother. The nichum aveilim was so comforting to the parents that they thanked the Rabbi who had brought them this “wonderful holy Rabbi.”

This quality extended even to the simplest encounters. There is a woman named Elaine who works in the OU mailroom. When Rav Belsky was ill in the hospital, Elaine visited him twice. Even in his weakened state, he managed to lift his hand and wave to her with a forced smile. When asked why she felt close enough to visit, she explained that whenever Rav Belsky would see her in the office he made sure to greet her warmly. He really was a special person who treated every human being with dignity and warmth.

Rav Belsky’s home was open to people who came to him for help at all times of the day and night. Those close to the Rosh Yeshiva attest to the fact that while all he wished to do was sit and learn the Torah that was so beloved to him, he sacrificed his time to pasken shailos and answer halachah queries on a continuous basis.

HACHNASAS ORCHIM AND TZEDAKAH

The selfless hachnasas orchim of Rav and Rebbetzin Belsky was legendary. Their willingness to extend themselves on behalf of total strangers, if only they could make another Jew’s life a bit brighter, was a hallmark of their home.

During his final illness, while in the hospital, Rav Belsky suffered deeply and slipped in and out of consciousness. In order to assuage his discomfort, the attending nurse suggested that he be given some protein to eat. Rav Belsky’s daughter placed a plate of homemade scrambled eggs before him and pressed her father to taste something. But Rav Belsky would not eat until he was assured that the poor were being served the same quality food. Only after his daughter was able to convince him of this did Rav Belsky partake of his lunch. Even on his sickbed, his concern was for others.

SENSE OF ACHRAYUS

Rav Belsky had a strong sense of achrayus for Klal Yisroel. When the Indian Sheitel controversy took place he made great effort to convey to the Gedolim in Eretz Yisroel the research he had done. I was in his office in Torah VoDaas at the time. His purpose, aside from seeking emes – truth, was to save the women of Klal Yisroel vast sums of money.

Once there was a certain chazzan that would pursue under-age girls, ply them with alcohol and do unspeakable things. Rav Belsky issued a psak that he should be put in jail and arrested. He issued this psak out of a sense of achrayus to Klal Yisroel. I was there when he issued this psak.

Another time a political issue developed in regard to one of the big chicken plants. The issue required that a second hechsher also be obtained on the plant. Rav Belsky’s role was not personal or political – his efforts were to save someone’s life and he was technically working against his own interest in this shtadlanus.

This was Rav Belsky. He fought heroically for the underdog, the lonely, the embattled, those for whom no one else would care. He put his reputation on the line, time and again, to stand up for what he felt was right. He was not necessarily always right, but he did it because he loved truth. He was willing to fight for what he felt was right – regardless of popular opinion.

Rav Belsky was selfless in numerous ways, with his money, with his reputation, and with his time.

Rav Belsky authored a few seforim. He wrote teshuvah seforim in halacha and shiurim on chumash. He could have authored many more but he didn’t because his day was fully devoted to matters of Klal Yisroel. He penned hundreds of haskamos to other people’s seforim too. Such was his extraordinary sense of selflessness.

WISDOM IN SHALOM BAYIS

Rav Belsky’s wisdom extended to the most personal areas of life. He once taught that the word “Shochad” (bribe) is linked to the word “Chad” (one), teaching that a bribe creates a unity between giver and receiver. He applied this concept to marriage, explaining that marital unity requires a husband and wife to do chasadim – even tiny ones – for each other constantly. He also offered practical advice for fostering unity in marriage: develop a habit to smile very often, because it shows approval of your wife and shows you feel good when you’re with her.

FIRM IN TORAH

Notwithstanding his remarkable Ahavas Yisroel, Rav Belsky could be very sharp and strong when he disagreed with someone in Torah. People who were not used to this could be intimidated. Yet, he did welcome conversation and discussion and at times he relented in argument too.

Once he recollected how his Rebbe, Rav Moshe Feinstein, read and reread Rav Akiva Eiger’s view about a Mezuzah on a room that was less than 4 cubits by 4 cubits that was adjacent to a room that was fully obligated in a Mezuzah. He explained how Rav Moshe zatzal reread that Rav Akiva Eiger ten times and finally stated that he did not understand his view.

He cited the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos (1:10): “Ehov es hamelachah u’sena es harabbanut, ve’al titvada larashut – Love work, hate public office and do not become too intimate with the ruling power.” He asked the obvious question: how could Chazal tell us to avoid the rabbinate? His answer revealed his approach to leadership – that the rabbinate was to be a calling of service, not a pursuit of honor.

A LIFE OF INTROSPECTION

The Chofetz Chaim was known to spend two hours a day on self-introspection. Rav Belsky once said that when he first heard this, he thought to himself, “What a waste of time! Imagine how much more the Chofetz Chaim could have learned those two extra hours each day!” But Rav Belsky came to realize that it was precisely the time the Chofetz Chaim used for introspection that made him who he was. This realization shaped Rav Belsky’s own approach to growth – an integration of ceaseless Torah study with constant self-refinement.

ILLNESS AND FINAL YEARS

In February 2012, Rav Belsky developed a life-threatening illness which almost took his life. He suffered from a ruptured esophagus and a collapsed lung and was rushed to the hospital by Hatzolah. Miraculously, he recovered to the extent that he was able to resume activities in Yeshiva, in the OU and at Camp Agudah. The amount he had accomplished just in those four years was beyond what many accomplish in a lifetime.

When one of his younger children was born, the doctor had asked, “Why do you have so many children?” To which Rav Belsky replied on the spot, “We Jews are an endangered species!”

In the ten years since his petirah, a tremendous void has only continued to grow. Rav Belsky’s imprint on Torah Judaism in the past half century will certainly have an impact for generations to come. As his close talmid Yaakov Melohn wrote: “For over 42 years, Rav Belsky was not only my beloved rebbe, chavrusa, best friend and confidant – he was also like a father to me, and a grandfather to my children.”

The world is a vastly different place without him. A number of today’s great askanim in Klal Yisrael are talmidim of Rav Belsky. His impact in the field of kashrus, his innovations and rulings in that area will have a positive effect for generations to come. Each talmid, whatever his walk of life, impacts on his family and community, and in that sense, Rav Belsky and his teachings live on.

Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky was truly sui generis. Mi yiten lanu temuraso? He is indeed irreplaceable. Chaval al d’avdin. Nafla Ateres Rosheinu.

The author can be reached at [email protected]