Elchonon Wasserman
Encyclopedia
Elchonon Wasserman was a prominent rabbi
and rosh yeshiva
in pre-World War II
Europe
. He was one of the Chofetz Chaim
's closest disciples and a noted Torah
scholar.
to Rabbi Naftali Beinish, a shopkeeper. In 1890, the family moved to Boisk, Latvia
, and Wasserman, then 15 years old, studied in the Telshe Yeshiva in Telz
, Poland
under Rabbi Eliezer Gordon
and Rabbi Shimon Shkop
. In the summer of 1897, Wasserman met Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik
at a health resort and "became deeply attached to him and his way of learning." He left Telz and traveled to Brisk (now in Belarus
), where he learned under Soloveitchik for two years, thereafter considering him his primary rebbe (teacher and mentor).
Wasserman was married in 1899 to Michla, the daughter of Rabbi Meir Atlas
, rabbi of Salant. Wasserman lived in his father-in-law's house for many years and rejected offers of rabbinical posts (including a prestigious rabbinate in Moscow
; being afforded the opportunity to learn Torah
at home. He did however decide to teach, and together with Rabbi Yoel Baranchik, he started a mesivta
in Amtshilov, Russia in 1903 and earned himself a reputation as an outstanding teacher. Prior to 1907, Wasserman heard that another local rabbi wanted to head the mesivta in Amtshilov and he left to avoid an argument, returning to learn in his father-in-law's house. From 1907 to 1910, he studied in the Kollel Kodshim in the Raduń Yeshiva
in Radin
, Russia
, headed by the Chofetz Chaim
. While at the kollel, Wasserman studied with Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman
, who would later become the rosh yeshiva
of the Ponevezh Yeshiva
, for eighteen hours a day.
In 1910, with the encouragement of the Chofetz Chaim, Wasserman was appointed rosh yeshiva of the mesivta in Brisk, leading its expansion until it was disbanded in 1914 with the outbreak of World War I
; with its closing, Wasserman returned to the Chofetz Chaim in Radin. When the warfront
reached Radin, however, the yeshiva there was closed and Wasserman fled to Russia with the Chofetz Chaim.
In 1914, the yeshiva was exiled to Smilovichi (near Minsk
) and Wasserman was appointed its rosh yeshiva
one year later when the Chofetz Chaim decided to relocate to Semiatitch, and together with Rabbi Yitzchok Hirshowitz (son-in-law of Rabbi Eliezer Gordon
from Telz), was asked to keep Torah
alive in Smilovichi.
In 1921, after the war, when the Soviet government began permitting Torah scholars to leave Russia, Wasserman moved to Baranovitch
, Poland
(now in Belarus) where he took the lead of Novardok
, which later became one of the most famous yeshivas in all of Europe. The yeshiva grew under Wasserman's immense Torah genius, and soon had close to 300 students. Copies of the notes taken from Wasserman's Torah lectures were passed around many of the yeshivas in Europe, increasing his influence and fame over most of the Torah world. He was one of the leaders of the Agudath Israel
movement and was regarded as the spiritual successor of the Chofetz Chaim.
Rabbi Wasserman had several sons. Rabbi Simcha Wasserman
served as Dean of Yeshiva Beth Yehudah
in Detroit in the 1940s, founded Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon in California
in the 1950s, and later founded Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon in Jerusalem. Rabbi Wasserman's other sons were Naftoli and Dovid.
When World War II broke out Rabbi Wasserman fled to Vilna
, Lithuania, and in 1941, while on a visit to Kovno, was arrested by the Nazis with twelve other rabbis and sent to his death.
collaborators on the 12th of Tammuz, 1941. Before he was taken he gave this statement: "In Heaven it appears that they deem us to be righteous because our bodies have been chosen to atone for the Jewish people. Therefore, we must repent now, immediately. There is not much time. We must keep in mind that we will be better offerings if we repent. In this way we will save the lives of our brethren overseas."
"Let no thought enter our minds, God forbid, which is abominable and which renders an offering unfit. We are now fulfilling the greatest mitzvah
. With fire she (Jerusalem) was destroyed and with fire she will be rebuilt. The very fire which consumes our bodies will one day rebuild the Jewish people."
. His popular works, essential material in yeshivas around the world, are unique in their approach. He would often quote his rebbe, Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik
, saying "Producing chiddushim (novel Torah concepts) is not for us. That was only in the power of the Rishonim
. Our task is to understand what it says." This approach is evident in his works, which include:
Wasserman also published the responsa
of the Rashba with annotations in 1932. His talmudic novellae appeared in the rabbinic journal Sha'arei Tzion (1929–1934) and in other publications.
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 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...
in pre-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. He was one of the Chofetz Chaim
Yisrael Meir Kagan
Yisrael Meir Poupko , known popularly as The Chofetz Chaim, was an influential Eastern European rabbi, Halakhist, posek, and ethicist whose works continue to be widely influential in Jewish life...
's closest disciples and a noted Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
scholar.
Biography
Rabbi Wasserman was born in Birz, LithuaniaLithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
to Rabbi Naftali Beinish, a shopkeeper. In 1890, the family moved to Boisk, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, and Wasserman, then 15 years old, studied in the Telshe Yeshiva in Telz
Telz
*Telz can refer to the town of Telšiai, in Lithuania.*Telz is also used as the abbreviated name for:**Telshe yeshiva originally in Lithuania that was transplanted to Cleveland, Ohio....
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
under Rabbi Eliezer Gordon
Eliezer Gordon
Eliezer Gordon also known as Reb Laizer Telzer, served as the Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva of Telz, Lithuania.-Early years:...
and Rabbi Shimon Shkop
Shimon Shkop
Shimon Yehuda Hakohen Shkop was a rosh yeshiva in the Yeshiva Shaar Hatorah and in the Telshe yeshiva and a renowned Talmudic scholar. He was born in Torez in 1860. At the age of twelve he went to study in the Mir yeshiva, and at fifteen he went to Volozhin yeshiva where he studied six years...
. In the summer of 1897, Wasserman met Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik
Chaim Soloveitchik
Chaim Soloveitchik , also known as Reb Chaim Brisker, was a rabbi and Talmudic scholar credited as the founder of the popular Brisker approach to Talmudic study within Judaism. He was born in Volozhin in 1853, where his father, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik served as a lecturer in the famous...
at a health resort and "became deeply attached to him and his way of learning." He left Telz and traveled to Brisk (now in Belarus
Belarus
Belarus , officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, bordered clockwise by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital is Minsk; other major cities include Brest, Grodno , Gomel ,...
), where he learned under Soloveitchik for two years, thereafter considering him his primary rebbe (teacher and mentor).
Wasserman was married in 1899 to Michla, the daughter of Rabbi Meir Atlas
Meir Atlas
Meir Atlas was the rabbi of numerous communities in pre-World War II Europe and one of the founders of the Telz Yeshiva. He was an outstanding halachic authority who authored many responsa and was one of the foremost Lithuanian rabbis of his time....
, rabbi of Salant. Wasserman lived in his father-in-law's house for many years and rejected offers of rabbinical posts (including a prestigious rabbinate in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
; being afforded the opportunity to learn Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
at home. He did however decide to teach, and together with Rabbi Yoel Baranchik, he started a mesivta
Mesivta
Mesivta is an Orthodox Jewish yeshiva high school for boys. The term is commonly used in the United States to describe a yeshiva that emphasizes Talmudic studies for boys in grades 9 through 11 or 12; alternately, it refers to the religious studies track in a yeshiva high school that offers both...
in Amtshilov, Russia in 1903 and earned himself a reputation as an outstanding teacher. Prior to 1907, Wasserman heard that another local rabbi wanted to head the mesivta in Amtshilov and he left to avoid an argument, returning to learn in his father-in-law's house. From 1907 to 1910, he studied in the Kollel Kodshim in the Raduń Yeshiva
Radun Yeshiva
Raduń Yeshiva, originally located in Raduń, Poland , was established by the Chofetz Chaim in 1869.-Origins:In 1869 when the Chofetz Chaim returned from Vashilyshok to Raduń his first action was to establish a group to whom he could spread the knowledge of Torah...
in Radin
Radin
Radin is a Persian name, which means a chivalrous man.Radin is an American surname, and may refer to:* Dean Radin , researcher and author* Joshua Radin , American songwriter...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, headed by the Chofetz Chaim
Chofetz Chaim
"The Chofetz Chaim" is a book on the Jewish laws of speech written by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan....
. While at the kollel, Wasserman studied with Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman
Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman
Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman , יוסף שלמה כהנמן, was an Orthodox rabbi and rosh yeshiva of the Ponevezh yeshiva. He was a renowned Torah and Talmudic scholar.- Biography :...
, who would later become the 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...
of the Ponevezh Yeshiva
Ponevezh yeshiva
Ponevezh Yeshiva, often pronounced Ponevitch Yeshiva, is a world renowned yeshiva located in Bnei Brak, Israel. Donated by Henry Krausher, it was originally established in the town of Panevėžys, Lithuania...
, for eighteen hours a day.
In 1910, with the encouragement of the Chofetz Chaim, Wasserman was appointed rosh yeshiva of the mesivta in Brisk, leading its expansion until it was disbanded in 1914 with the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
; with its closing, Wasserman returned to the Chofetz Chaim in Radin. When the warfront
Front (military)
A military front or battlefront is a contested armed frontier between opposing forces. This can be a local or tactical front, or it can range to a theater...
reached Radin, however, the yeshiva there was closed and Wasserman fled to Russia with the Chofetz Chaim.
In 1914, the yeshiva was exiled to Smilovichi (near Minsk
Minsk
- Ecological situation :The ecological situation is monitored by Republican Center of Radioactive and Environmental Control .During 2003–2008 the overall weight of contaminants increased from 186,000 to 247,400 tons. The change of gas as industrial fuel to mazut for financial reasons has worsened...
) and Wasserman was appointed its 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...
one year later when the Chofetz Chaim decided to relocate to Semiatitch, and together with Rabbi Yitzchok Hirshowitz (son-in-law of Rabbi Eliezer Gordon
Eliezer Gordon
Eliezer Gordon also known as Reb Laizer Telzer, served as the Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva of Telz, Lithuania.-Early years:...
from Telz), was asked to keep Torah
Torah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
alive in Smilovichi.
In 1921, after the war, when the Soviet government began permitting Torah scholars to leave Russia, Wasserman moved to Baranovitch
Baranovichi
Baranovichi , is a city in the Brest Province of western Belarus with a population of 173,000. It is a significant railway junction and home to a state university.-Overview:...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
(now in Belarus) where he took the lead of Novardok
Novardok yeshiva
The Novardok yeshiva in Navahrudak, then the Russian Empire, was one of the biggest and most important yeshivas in pre-World War II Europe, and a powerful force within the Mussar movement. The yeshiva was established in 1896, together with a Kollel for married men, under the direction of Rabbi...
, which later became one of the most famous yeshivas in all of Europe. The yeshiva grew under Wasserman's immense Torah genius, and soon had close to 300 students. Copies of the notes taken from Wasserman's Torah lectures were passed around many of the yeshivas in Europe, increasing his influence and fame over most of the Torah world. He was one of the leaders of the Agudath Israel
World Agudath Israel
World Agudath Israel , usually known as the Aguda, was established in the early twentieth century as the political arm of Ashkenazi Torah Judaism, in succession to Agudas Shlumei Emunei Yisroel...
movement and was regarded as the spiritual successor of the Chofetz Chaim.
Rabbi Wasserman visits America
When there was not enough money to buy food for the yeshiva students, Rabbi Wasserman traveled to America to raise money for the yeshiva. Rabbi Wasserman made a powerful impression on the Jewish youth in the United States. Rabbi Wasserman returned to Poland and although he knew his life was in danger by returning, he did not want to abandon his students.Rabbi Wasserman had several sons. Rabbi Simcha Wasserman
Simcha Wasserman
Simcha Wasserman served as Dean of Yeshiva Beth Yehudah in Detroit in the 1940s, founded Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon in California in the 1950s, and later founded Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon in Jerusalem. He was the son of Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman, and was married to Rachel Fiege , the daughter of Meyer Abovitz...
served as Dean of Yeshiva Beth Yehudah
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah is a Jewish day school consisting of two campuses at Southfield and Oak Park, Michigan, which serves boys and girls from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 . The school's curriculum is a blend of traditional and progressive, secular studies and religious studies, in Hebrew and...
in Detroit in the 1940s, founded Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in the 1950s, and later founded Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon in Jerusalem. Rabbi Wasserman's other sons were Naftoli and Dovid.
When World War II broke out Rabbi Wasserman fled to Vilna
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania, and its largest city, with a population of 560,190 as of 2010. It is the seat of the Vilnius city municipality and of the Vilnius district municipality. It is also the capital of Vilnius County...
, Lithuania, and in 1941, while on a visit to Kovno, was arrested by the Nazis with twelve other rabbis and sent to his death.
Murder by Nazi collaborators in Lithuania
Rabbi Wasserman was taken and murdered by LithuanianLithuanians
Lithuanians are the Baltic ethnic group native to Lithuania, where they number around 2,765,600 people. Another million or more make up the Lithuanian diaspora, largely found in countries such as the United States, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Russia, United Kingdom and Ireland. Their native language...
collaborators on the 12th of Tammuz, 1941. Before he was taken he gave this statement: "In Heaven it appears that they deem us to be righteous because our bodies have been chosen to atone for the Jewish people. Therefore, we must repent now, immediately. There is not much time. We must keep in mind that we will be better offerings if we repent. In this way we will save the lives of our brethren overseas."
"Let no thought enter our minds, God forbid, which is abominable and which renders an offering unfit. We are now fulfilling the greatest mitzvah
Mitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
. With fire she (Jerusalem) was destroyed and with fire she will be rebuilt. The very fire which consumes our bodies will one day rebuild the Jewish people."
Works
Wasserman was famous for his clear, penetrating Talmudic analysisTalmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
. His popular works, essential material in yeshivas around the world, are unique in their approach. He would often quote his rebbe, Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik
Chaim Soloveitchik
Chaim Soloveitchik , also known as Reb Chaim Brisker, was a rabbi and Talmudic scholar credited as the founder of the popular Brisker approach to Talmudic study within Judaism. He was born in Volozhin in 1853, where his father, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik served as a lecturer in the famous...
, saying "Producing chiddushim (novel Torah concepts) is not for us. That was only in the power of the Rishonim
Rishonim
"Rishon" redirects here. For the preon model in particle physics, see Harari Rishon Model. For the Israeli town, see Rishon LeZion.Rishonim were the leading Rabbis and Poskim who lived approximately during the 11th to 15th centuries, in the era before the writing of the Shulkhan Arukh and...
. Our task is to understand what it says." This approach is evident in his works, which include:
- Kovetz Heoros
- Kovetz Shiurim
- Kovetz Biyurim
- Kovetz Shemuos
- Kovetz Inyanim
- Kovetz Maamarim
- Ikvasa Demeshicha
Wasserman also published the responsa
Responsa
Responsa comprise a body of written decisions and rulings given by legal scholars in response to questions addressed to them.-In the Roman Empire:Roman law recognised responsa prudentium, i.e...
of the Rashba with annotations in 1932. His talmudic novellae appeared in the rabbinic journal Sha'arei Tzion (1929–1934) and in other publications.