Reuvain Grozovsky
Encyclopedia
Refael Reuvain Grozovsky (1886, Minsk
, Belarus
– 1958, United States
) was a leading Orthodox
rabbi
, Jewish religious leader and rosh yeshiva
("dean") known for his Talmudic analytical style.
(Halachic
judge) of Minsk. He attended Yeshiva Knesses Yisrael, known as the Slabodka yeshiva
, and studied under Rabbis Moshe Mordechai Epstein
and Nosson Tzvi Finkel. In 1919, Rabbi Grozovsky married the daughter of a noted Talmudic sage, Rabbi Baruch Ber Lebowitz
, whose analytical method of textual study continues to be extremely influential in modern-day yeshiva
s. After his marriage Rabbi Grozovsky then moved to the Vilna
suburb
of Lukishuk. Later, he moved with his father-in-law to Kaminetz and continued to learn at the yeshiva there under the tutelage of his father-in-law, Baruch Ber Lebowitz, whom he considered his main teacher. Rabbi Grozovsky had two sons and two daughters. He eventually became the dean of the Kaminetz Yeshiva.
Rabbi Grozovsky was known to lead a simple and sparse life. It is said that sometimes he and his wife had to borrow money from his students. They also shared a cramped apartment with his wife's parents, both because of his modest way of life and in order to learn as much as possible from his famous father-in-law.
Rabbi Grozovsky escaped Europe
and the Holocaust
with a group of his students and arrived on the west coast of the United States. He then journeyed to New York
where he joined Rabbis Aharon Kotler
and Avraham Kalmanowitz in leading the Vaad Hatzalah
's efforts to save Jews from the Nazi
Holocaust, including lobbying and fundraising. In the process, he also brought 110 members of the Kaminetz community to safety in America.
Rabbi Grozovsky was extremely active in the Agudath Israel of America
organization. However, he preferred to work behind the scenes. His concern for Israel
was well known. It is said that he read every magazine or newspaper article about Israel and asked students to translate articles written in English. As results of his knowledge, in May 1951 he organized a public demonstration protesting the unilateral action of the Israeli government in involuntarily sending religious refugee children to anti-religious kibbutz
im ("communes").
Rabbi Grozovsky was asked by Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz
to head the Yeshiva Torah Vodaas
located in Brooklyn, New York. There he earned a reputation for incisive analytical reasoning combined with vast Talmud
ic knowledge and a humble and modest personality. Although he spent less than a year in this position, his influence on the Yeshiva belies the relatively few years he was associated with it.
Reb Reuvain's schedule would have worn out many men who were physically stronger. He arrived at Beth Medrash Elyon in Upstate New York
, every Thursday and remained awake all night preparing for the Friday Talmudic lecture. The same routine was followed the next night, when after his Shabbos meal, he would prepare for his Sunday afternoon lecture. He then returned to Brooklyn
on Monday to present the same lecture, modified for his different audience, on Tuesday.
Six years before his death, he suffered a stroke
which impaired his physical functioning. Nonetheless, the Rosh Yeshiva remained mentally alert and was able to study until his death in 1958. He was survived by his sons, Rabbi Chaim Grozovsky and rabbi Shamshon Grozovskyhttp://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/archives5760/chaysoro/agrozovski.htm and his son-in-laws, Rabbi Don Ungarisher, the Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Elyon
and rabbi Levi Krupenia.
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...
, 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 ,...
– 1958, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
) was a leading Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
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...
, Jewish religious leader 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") known for his Talmudic analytical style.
Early years
He was the son of Rabbi Shimshon Grozovsky, the leading dayanBeth din
A beth din, bet din, beit din or beis din is a rabbinical court of Judaism. In ancient times, it was the building block of the legal system in the Biblical Land of Israel...
(Halachic
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
judge) of Minsk. He attended Yeshiva Knesses Yisrael, known as the Slabodka yeshiva
Slabodka yeshiva
Hebron Yeshiva, also known as Yeshivas Hevron, or Knesses Yisroel, and originally as Slabodka Yeshiva, is known colloquially as the "mother of yeshivas" and was devoted to high=level study of the Talmud. The yeshiva was located in the Lithuanian town of Slabodka, adjacent to Kovno , now...
, and studied under Rabbis Moshe Mordechai Epstein
Moshe Mordechai Epstein
Moshe Mordechai Epstein was Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Knesseth Yisrael in Slabodka, Lithuania and is recognized as having been one of the leading Talmudists of the twentieth century.-Childhood:...
and Nosson Tzvi Finkel. In 1919, Rabbi Grozovsky married the daughter of a noted Talmudic sage, Rabbi Baruch Ber Lebowitz
Baruch Ber Lebowitz
Boruch Ber Leibowitz Boruch Ber Leibowitz Boruch Ber Leibowitz (1864 - November 17, 1939 (5 Kislev, 5700) (Hebrew: ברוך בער ליבוביץ) was a main student of Rabbi Chaim Brisker and was famed for his Talmudic lectures....
, whose analytical method of textual study continues to be extremely influential in modern-day yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
s. After his marriage Rabbi Grozovsky then moved to the 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...
suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Lukishuk. Later, he moved with his father-in-law to Kaminetz and continued to learn at the yeshiva there under the tutelage of his father-in-law, Baruch Ber Lebowitz, whom he considered his main teacher. Rabbi Grozovsky had two sons and two daughters. He eventually became the dean of the Kaminetz Yeshiva.
Rabbi Grozovsky was known to lead a simple and sparse life. It is said that sometimes he and his wife had to borrow money from his students. They also shared a cramped apartment with his wife's parents, both because of his modest way of life and in order to learn as much as possible from his famous father-in-law.
Life in America
During World War IIWorld 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...
Rabbi Grozovsky escaped 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...
and the Holocaust
The Holocaust
The Holocaust , also known as the Shoah , was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during World War II, a programme of systematic state-sponsored murder by Nazi...
with a group of his students and arrived on the west coast of the United States. He then journeyed to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
where he joined Rabbis Aharon Kotler
Aharon 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 :...
and Avraham Kalmanowitz in leading the Vaad Hatzalah
Vaad Hatzalah
Vaad Hatzalah was an organization to rescue Jews in Europe from the Holocaust.It was founded in November 1939 by the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada...
's efforts to save Jews from the Nazi
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
Holocaust, including lobbying and fundraising. In the process, he also brought 110 members of the Kaminetz community to safety in America.
Rabbi Grozovsky was extremely active in the 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:...
organization. However, he preferred to work behind the scenes. His concern for Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
was well known. It is said that he read every magazine or newspaper article about Israel and asked students to translate articles written in English. As results of his knowledge, in May 1951 he organized a public demonstration protesting the unilateral action of the Israeli government in involuntarily sending religious refugee children to anti-religious kibbutz
Kibbutz
A kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. Today, farming has been partly supplanted by other economic branches, including industrial plants and high-tech enterprises. Kibbutzim began as utopian communities, a combination of socialism and Zionism...
im ("communes").
Rabbi Grozovsky was asked by Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz
Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz
Rabbi Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz was an early leader of American Orthodoxy and founder of key institutions such as Torah Vodaath, a Yeshiva in Brooklyn, and Torah U'Mesorah, an outreach and educational organization. He is credited by many to have pioneered authentic Jewish education in the United...
to head the Yeshiva Torah Vodaas
Yeshiva Torah Vodaas
Yeshiva Torah Vodaas is a yeshiva located in the Kensington neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.- History :...
located in Brooklyn, New York. There he earned a reputation for incisive analytical reasoning combined with vast Talmud
Talmud
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....
ic knowledge and a humble and modest personality. Although he spent less than a year in this position, his influence on the Yeshiva belies the relatively few years he was associated with it.
Reb Reuvain's schedule would have worn out many men who were physically stronger. He arrived at Beth Medrash Elyon in Upstate New York
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
, every Thursday and remained awake all night preparing for the Friday Talmudic lecture. The same routine was followed the next night, when after his Shabbos meal, he would prepare for his Sunday afternoon lecture. He then returned to Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
on Monday to present the same lecture, modified for his different audience, on Tuesday.
Six years before his death, he suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
which impaired his physical functioning. Nonetheless, the Rosh Yeshiva remained mentally alert and was able to study until his death in 1958. He was survived by his sons, Rabbi Chaim Grozovsky and rabbi Shamshon Grozovskyhttp://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/archives5760/chaysoro/agrozovski.htm and his son-in-laws, Rabbi Don Ungarisher, the Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Elyon
Beth Medrash Elyon
Beth Medrash Elyon is a yeshiva in Spring Valley, New York. It was considered one of the elite yeshivas during the 1950s and 1960s. It closed in the 1960s due to disagreements among the leaders of the yeshiva. Its Roshei Yeshiva have included Rabbis Reuven Grozovsky, Gedalia Schorr, and Yaacov...
and rabbi Levi Krupenia.
Talmudic method
The thrust of Rav Grozovsky's method of Talmudic analysis was an emphasis on extreme thoroughness. This manifested in two areas:- Thoroughness of thought: the cornerstone of his methodology was the application of the maximum effort of thought into all ideas being studied in the Talmud and the related rabbinical literature and finding the underpinnings of even "simple" ideas. Rabbi Grozovsky taught that the casual acceptance of seemingly "simple" ideas is the scholar's enemy. Only a deep examination of all facets of the subject matter can reveal the true depth. This approach is evidenced in his published works, Chidushei R' Reuvain.
- The examination of all options: Rabbi Grozovsky held that the proper understanding of Talmud demands examining even those alternatives that one instinctively dismisses. One cannot dismiss any possibility outright without arguments. Rather all options must be subjected to full scrutiny.