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{{Short description|Great Orthodox Jewish Rabbi of the 20th century}} {{Short description|Belarusian-born American Orthodox rabbi}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
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| image = Reb Moshe Feinstein.jpg | image = Reb Moshe Feinstein.jpg
| image_size = 250px | image_size = 250px
| caption = Artistic Portrait of Reb Moshe Feinstein
⚫ | caption = Moshe Feinstein at his desk in the ] of ].
| birth_date = {{birth date|1895|3|3}} | birth_date = {{birth date|1895|3|3}}
| birth_place = ], ], ]<br><small>(now ])</small> | birth_place = ], ], ]<br /><small>(now ])</small>
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1986|3|23|1895|3|3}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|1986|3|23|1895|3|3}}
| death_place = ], ] | death_place = New York City, United States
| death_cause = | death_cause =
| resting_place = ], ] ] | resting_place = ], ]
| resting_place_coordinates = {{coord|31.8|N|35.183333|E}} | resting_place_coordinates = {{coord|31.8|N|35.183333|E}}
| nationality = | nationality =
| other_names = Rav Moshe, ''Reb'' Moshe | other_names = Rav Moshe, ''Reb'' Moshe
| known_for = Igros Moshe, various rulings in Jewish law | known_for = '']'', various rulings in Jewish law
| employer = ] | employer = ]
| occupation = ], ] | occupation = ], ]
| spouse = Shima Kustanovitch | spouse = Shima Kustanovitch
| children = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>] | children = 5, including ]<br />]
| signature = | signature =
| footnotes = | footnotes =
}} }}
], founder of Daily Halacha daily mishna]] ] (left)]]
]
] ]
⚫ '''Moshe Feinstein''' ({{langx|yi|משה פֿײַנשטײן}}; ]: ''Moishe Fainshtein''; {{langx|en|Moses Feinstein}};<ref>{{cite web |website=]|title=The Water's Fine, but Is It Kosher|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/07/nyregion/the-waters-fine-but-is-it-kosher.html|date=November 7, 2004}}</ref> March 3, 1895 – March 23, 1986) was a Russian-born American ] Jewish ], scholar, and '']'' (authority on '']''&mdash;Jewish law). He has been called the most famous Orthodox Jewish legal authority of the twentieth century<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/florida-jewish-journal/fl-jj-year-of-loss-orthodox-jewry-rabbis-die-covid-20210203-sa7qqx4rtndm5osjbszheqpvzq-story.html|title = A year of loss: Orthodox Jewry reels as rabbis die during COVID-19 pandemic| date=February 3, 2021 }}</ref> and his rulings are often referenced in contemporary ]. Feinstein served as president of the ], Chairman of the Council of the ] of the ], and head of ] in New York.
'''Moshe Feinstein''' ({{lang-he|משה פײַנשטיין}}; ]: ''Moshe Faynshteyn''; {{lang-en|Moses Feinstein}};<ref>{{cite web |website=NYTimes.com
|title=The Water's Fine, but Is It Kosher?
|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/07/nyregion/the-waters-fine-but-is-it-kosher.html
⚫ |date=November 7, 2004}}</ref> March 3, 1895 – March 23, 1986) was an American ] ], scholar, and '']'' (authority on '']''&mdash;Jewish law). He has been called the most famous Orthodox Jewish legal authority of the twentieth century<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/florida-jewish-journal/fl-jj-year-of-loss-orthodox-jewry-rabbis-die-covid-20210203-sa7qqx4rtndm5osjbszheqpvzq-story.html|title = A year of loss: Orthodox Jewry reels as rabbis die during COVID-19 pandemic}}</ref> and his rulings are often referenced in contemporary ]. Feinstein served as president of the ], Chairman of the Council of the ] of the ], and head of ] in New York.


⚫ ] of ].]]
Widely acclaimed in the Orthodox world for his gentleness and compassion, Feinstein is commonly referred to simply as ''"Reb Moshe"''<ref>{{cite book

|publisher=] |date=1986
Feinstein is commonly referred to simply as ''"Reb Moshe"''<ref>{{cite book |publisher=] |date=1986|title=Reb Moshe: The Life and Ideals of HaGaon Rabbi Moshe Feinstein|url=http://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422610848.html|isbn=97-81422610848}}</ref><ref name=Levaya/> (or ''"Rav Moshe"'').<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Haaretz|date=March 3, 2013 |title=This Day in Jewish history|url=https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/.premium-this-day-a-rabbi-for-the-21st-century-is-born-1.5232225|quote=Rabbi Feinstein – known affectionately in the Orthodox world as "Rav Moshe"...}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Ascent Of Safed|url=http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=572-07|title=Story template 5769|quote=As soon as Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ... turned to Rav Moshe and ...}}</ref>
|title=Reb Moshe: The Life and Ideals of HaGaon Rabbi Moshe Feinstein.
|url=http://www.artscroll.com/Books/9781422610848.html
|isbn=97-81422610848}}</ref><ref name=Levaya/> (or ''"Rav Moshe"'').<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Haaretz
|date=March 3, 2013 |title=This Day in Jewish history
|url=https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/.premium-this-day-a-rabbi-for-the-21st-century-is-born-1.5232225
|quote=Rabbi Feinstein – known affectionately in the Orthodox world as "Rav Moshe"...}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|website=Ascent Of Safed
|url=http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=572-07
|title=Story template 5769
|quote=As soon as Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ... turned to Rav Moshe and ...}}</ref>


==Biography== ==Biography==
Moshe Feinstein was born, according to the ], on the 7th day of ], 5655 (traditionally the date of birth and death of the biblical ]) in ], near ], Belarus, then part of the ]. His father, Rabbi David Feinstein, was the rabbi of Uzdan and a great-grandson of the ]'s brother. His mother was a descendant of talmudist ], the ], and ]. He studied with his father, and also in ]s located in ], under ], and ]. He also had a close relationship with his uncle, ], rabbi of ], whom he greatly revered and considered his mentor. For the rest of his life, Feinstein considered Pruskin as his rebbe.<ref>Finkelman, Shimon; ''The Story of Reb Moshe''.</ref> Moshe Feinstein was born, according to the ], on ] 7, 5655{{Efn|Traditionally the date of birth and death of the biblical ], the reason that Feinstein was given this name.}} in ], near ], Belarus (then part of the ]). His father, David Feinstein, was the rabbi of Uzda and a great-grandson of the ]'s brother. David Feinstein's father, Yechiel Michel Feinstein, was a ] Chassid.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Feinstein |first=Moshe |title=Igros Moshe, Volume XIII |publisher=Judaica Press |year=1996 |location=New York |pages=6 |language=Hebrew}}</ref> His mother was a descendant of talmudist ], the ], and ]. He studied with his father and in ]s located in ], under ], and ]. He also had a close relationship with his uncle, ], rabbi of ], whom he greatly revered and considered his mentor. For the rest of his life, Feinstein considered Pruskin as his ].<ref>Finkelman, Shimon; ''The Story of Reb Moshe''.</ref>


Feinstein was appointed rabbi of ], where he served for sixteen years. He married Shima Kustanovich in 1920, and had four children (Pesach Chaim, Fay Gittel, Shifra, and David), before leaving Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ou.org/about/judaism/rabbis/feinstein.htm|title=Great Leaders of Our People – Rav Moshe Feinstein |access-date=December 13, 2009}}</ref> Pesach Chaim died in Europe, and another son, Reuven, was born in the United States. Under increasing pressure from the ], he moved with his family to New York City in January 1937,<ref>https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24K8-VFR</ref> where he lived for the rest of his life. Feinstein was appointed rabbi of ], where he served for sixteen years. He married Shima Kustanovich in 1920 and had four children (Pesach Chaim, Fay Gittel, Shifra, and David) before leaving Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ou.org/about/judaism/rabbis/feinstein.htm|title=Great Leaders of Our People – Rav Moshe Feinstein |access-date=December 13, 2009}}</ref> Pesach Chaim died in Europe, and another son, ], was born in the United States. Under increasing pressure from the ], he moved with his family to New York City in January 1937,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24K8-VFR|title=FamilySearch.org|website=] }}</ref> where he lived for the rest of his life.


Settling on the ], he became the ] of ]. He later established a branch of the yeshiva in Staten Island, New York, now headed by his son ]. His son ] headed the ] branch. Settling on the ], Feinstein became the ] of ]. He later established a branch of the yeshiva in Staten Island, New York, now headed by his son Reuven. His son ] headed the ] branch.


He was president of the ], and chaired the ] of ] from the 1960s until his death. Feinstein also took an active leadership role in Israel's ]. Feinstein was president of the ], and chaired the ] of ] from the 1960s until his death. Feinstein also took an active leadership role in Israel's ].


Feinstein was recognized by many as the preeminent ] authority '']'' of his generation, ruling on issues of Jewish law as they pertain to modern times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-03-26-8601220614-story.html|title=Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Funeral Draws 20,000}}</ref> People from around the world called upon him to answer their most complicated halachic questions.<ref>, ''hevratpinto.org.'' Retrieved May 8, 2020.</ref> Feinstein was recognized by many as the preeminent ] authority ('']'') of his generation; ruling on issues of Jewish law as they pertain to modern times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-03-26-8601220614-story.html|title=Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Funeral Draws 20,000|website=]|date=March 26, 1986 }}</ref> People from around the world called upon him to answer their most complicated halachic questions.<ref>, ''hevratpinto.org.'' Retrieved May 8, 2020.</ref>


==Halachic authority== ==Halakhic authority==


{{See also|List of rulings by Moshe Feinstein}} {{See also|List of rulings by Moshe Feinstein}}


Owing to his prominence as an ], Feinstein was asked the most difficult questions, in which he issued a number of innovative and controversial decisions. Soon after arriving in the United States, he established a reputation for handling business and labor disputes. For instance, he wrote about strikes, seniority, and fair competition. Later, he served as the chief Halakhic authority for the ], indicative of his expertise in Jewish medical ethics. In the medical arena, he opposed the early, unsuccessful heart transplants, although it is orally reported that in his later years, he allowed a person to receive a heart transplant (after the medical technique of preventing rejection was improved). On such matters, he often consulted with various scientific experts, including his son-in-law ], who is a professor of ] and serves as a rosh yeshiva at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/375175373/Halakhic-Bioethic|title=The Halakhic Definition of Life in a Bioethical Context|access-date=April 16, 2018}}</ref> Owing to his prominence as an ], Feinstein was often asked to rule on very difficult questions, whereupon he often employed a number of innovative and controversial theories in arriving at his decisions. Soon after arriving in the United States, he established a reputation for handling business and labor disputes, writing about strikes, seniority, and fair competition. He later served as the chief halakhic authority for the ], indicative of his expertise in Jewish medical ethics. In the medical arena, he opposed the early, unsuccessful heart transplants, although it is has been reported off-the-record that in his later years, he allowed a person to receive a heart transplant (after the medical technique of preventing rejection was improved). On such matters, he often consulted with various scientific experts, including his son-in-law ], a professor of ] who served as a rosh yeshiva at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/375175373/Halakhic-Bioethic|title=The Halakhic Definition of Life in a Bioethical Context|access-date=April 16, 2018}}</ref>


As one of the prominent leaders of American Orthodoxy, Feinstein issued opinions that clearly distanced his community from ] and ].<ref>For example, see Roth, Joel. ''The Halakhic Process: A Systematic Analysis'', JTS: 1986, pp.71ff. Robinson (2001).</ref> He faced intense opposition from Hasidic Orthodoxy on several controversial decisions, such as rulings on artificial insemination and ]. In the case of his position not to prohibit ], though he recommended against it and prohibited second-hand smoke, other Orthodox rabbinic authorities disagreed. Even his detractors, while disagreeing with specific rulings, still considered him to be a leading decisor of Jewish law. The first volume of his ''Igrot Moshe'', a voluminous collection of his ] decisions, was published in 1959.<ref>''Codex Judaica'' Mattis Kantor, Zichron Press, NY 2005, p.299</ref> As one of the prominent leaders of American Orthodoxy, Feinstein issued opinions that clearly distanced his community from ] and ].{{Efn|For example, see Roth, Joel. ''The Halakhic Process: A Systematic Analysis'', JTS: 1986, pp.71ff. Robinson (2001).}} He faced intense opposition from ] Orthodoxy on several controversial decisions, such as rulings on artificial insemination and ]. In the case of his position not to prohibit ], though he recommended against it and prohibited second-hand smoke, other Orthodox rabbinic authorities disagreed. Even while disagreeing with specific rulings, his detractors still considered him to be a leading decisor of Jewish law. The first volume of his ''Igrot Moshe'', a voluminous collection of his halakhic decisions, was published in 1959.<ref>''Codex Judaica'' Mattis Kantor, Zichron Press, NY 2005, p.299</ref>


==Death== ==Death==
] ]
Feinstein died on March 23, 1986 (13th of ] II, 5746). Over 20,000 people gathered to hear him eulogized in ] before being flown to ] for burial.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-03-26-8601220614-story.html|title=Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Funeral Draws 20,000}}</ref> Feinstein died on March 23, 1986 (13th of ] II, 5746). Over 20,000 people gathered to hear him eulogized in New York before he was flown to ] for burial.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-03-26-8601220614-story.html|title=Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Funeral Draws 20,000|date=March 26, 1986|work=]|location=|access-date=August 11, 2024}}</ref> His funeral in Israel was delayed by a day due to mechanical problems with the plane carrying his coffin, which then had to return to New York. The funeral was said to be attended by between 200,000 and 250,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/03/26/Thousands-attend-American-rabbis-funeral/2509511792502/|title = Thousands attend American rabbi's funeral}}</ref>
His funeral in ] was delayed by a day due to mechanical problems with the plane carrying his coffin, which then had to return to New York. His funeral in ] was said to be attended by between 100,000 and 200,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/03/26/Thousands-attend-American-rabbis-funeral/2509511792502/|title = Thousands attend American rabbi's funeral}}</ref> Among the eulogizers in America were ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and the ]. The son of the deceased, ], also spoke.

Feinstein was held in such great esteem that ], who was himself regarded as a Torah giant, ], and posek, refused to eulogize him, saying, "Who am I to eulogize him? I studied his ]; I was his ''talmid'' (student)."{{Citation needed|date=April 2018}}


Feinstein was buried on ] in proximity to his teacher, ];<ref name=Levaya>{{cite book Feinstein was buried on ] near his teacher, ].<ref name=Levaya>{{cite book |title=Rabbis of our Time: Authorities of Judaism|url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1317605446 |isbn=978-1317605447|author1=Marek Cejka |author2=Roman Koran |date=2015| publisher=Routledge|quote=Reb Moshe .. body .. to Jerusalem ... funeral at ... Har Ha-Menuchot}}</ref>
|title=Rabbis of our Time: Authorities of Judaism
|url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1317605446 |isbn=978-1317605447
|author1=Marek Cejka |author2=Roman Koran |date=2015
|quote=Reb Moshe .. body .. to Jerusalem, .. funeral at ... Har Ha-Menuchot}}</ref> his friend, ]; his son-in-law, Moshe Shisgal; the ]; Rav ]; and next to ] of ].


==Prominent students== ==Prominent students==
Feinstein's students included:
Feinstein invested much time molding select students to become leaders in ] and Halacha. Most are considered authorities in many areas of practical Halacha and Rabbinic and ] academics. Some of those students are:
<!-- Long list Please keep list alphabetical; please only post wiki-notable students unless there is a compelling reason otherwise. --> <!-- Long list Please keep list alphabetical; please only post wiki-notable students unless there is a compelling reason otherwise. -->
* ] (1927–1986), Rav of Agudath Israel of Long Island, New York * ], rabbi of Agudath Israel of Long Island, New York
* ] (1944–2007), author of ''The Laws of Pesach'' * ] (1944–2007), author of ''The Laws of Pesach''
⚫ * ] posek and author
* Elimelech Bluth, (d. 2019) (Brooklyn, NY), his devoted attendee and personal driver, Rav of ], dean of ], and rabbi of ]
⚫ * ], rosh yeshiva of Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem in New York City, his son
⚫ * ] (1938-2007), posek and author (Lakewood, NJ)
* ] (1929-2020), Rosh yeshiva of Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem in New York City, his son * ], rosh yeshiva of ], New York, his son
* ], dayan (judge of ]
⚫ * ] (b. 1937), Rosh yeshiva of ], New York, his son
* ], posek
* Shmuel Fuerst, Dayan of ]<ref>(November 18, 2015) , ''Haaretz''</ref>
* ] (1932-2014), posek (], ]) * ] Av Beis Din (chief judge) of Vaad Hakehilos of Memphis, Tennessee
* ], rabbi and comedian who played ] on '']''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scutts |first=Joseph |date=July 26, 2021 |title=Jewish comedian Jackie Mason reflects on his legendary career |url=https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/jewish-comedian-jackie-mason-reflects-on-his-legendary-career-656734 |access-date=2022-12-21 |website=The Jerusalem Post |publisher=The Jerusalem Report |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Nota Greenblatt (b.1925), Av Beis Din of Vaad Hakehilos of Memphis, Tennessee
⚫ * ] (1926-2021), rosh yeshiva (dean) at ], his son-in-law
* ], comedian (New York City)<ref>Rich, Alan and Femmus, J. (February 17, 2016) , ''The Jewish Voice''</ref>
⚫ * ], Rosh yeshiva at ], and pulpit rabbi in ], his son-in-law


==Works== ==Works==
Feinstein's greatest renown came from a lifetime of responding to halachic queries posed by Jews in America and worldwide. He authored approximately 2,000 ] on a wide range of issues affecting Jewish practice in the modern era. Some responsa can also be found in his Talmudic commentary (''Dibrot Moshe''), some circulate informally, and 1,883 responsa were published in ''Igrot Moshe.'' Among Feinstein's works: Feinstein wrote approximately 2,000 ] on a wide range of issues affecting Jewish practice in the modern era. Some responsa can also be found in his Talmudic commentary (''Dibrot Moshe''), some circulate informally, and 1,883 responsa were published in ''Igrot Moshe.'' Among Feinstein's works:
* '']''; (Epistles of Moshe); pronounced ''Igros Moshe'' by Yiddish speakers such as Feinstein himself; a classic work of ] responsa. Consisting of 7 volumes published during his lifetime and often referenced by contemporary ] authorities. Of these, the final, seventh volume was published in two different forms, the resulting variations found in a total of 65 responsa.<ref>Shalom C. Spira, "A Combination of Two Halakhically Kosher Prenuptial Agreements to Benefit the Jewish Wife," footnote 100 </ref> An additional 2 volumes were published posthumously from manuscripts and oral dictations that were transcribed by others. * '']''; (Epistles of Moshe); pronounced ''Igros Moshe'' by Yiddish speakers (such as Feinstein); halakhic responsa in 7 volumes published during his lifetime and widely referenced by contemporary halakhic authorities. The final, seventh volume was published in two different forms, the resulting variations found in a total of 65 responsa.<ref>Shalom C. Spira, "A Combination of Two Halakhically Kosher Prenuptial Agreements to Benefit the Jewish Wife," footnote 100 </ref> An additional 2 volumes were published posthumously from manuscripts and oral dictations that were transcribed by others.
* ''Dibrot Moshe'' (Moshe's Words); pronounced ''Dibros Moshe'' by Yiddish speakers such as Feinstein himself; a 14 volume work of ]ic novellae with additional volumes being published by the Feinstein Foundation and being coordinated by his grandson, Mordecai Tendler. * ''Dibrot Moshe'' (Moshe's Words); pronounced ''Dibros Moshe'' by Yiddish speakers such as Feinstein himself; a 14 volume work of ]ic novellae with additional volumes being published by the Feinstein Foundation and being coordinated by his grandson, Mordecai Tendler.
* ''Darash Moshe'' (Moshe Expounds, a reference to ] 10:16), a posthumously published volume of novellae on the weekly synagogue ] reading. * ''Darash Moshe'' (Moshe Expounds, a reference to ] 10:16), a posthumously published volume of novellae on the weekly synagogue ] reading.
* ''Kol Ram'' (High Voice); 3 volumes, printed in his lifetime by Avraham Fishelis, the director of his yeshiva * ''Kol Ram'' (High Voice); 3 volumes, printed in his lifetime by Avraham Fishelis, the director of his yeshiva.


Some of Feinstein's early works, including a commentary on the ], were lost in Communist Russia, though his first writings are being prepared for publication by the Feinstein Foundation. Some of Feinstein's early works, including a commentary on the ], were lost in Communist Russia, though his first writings are being prepared for publication by the Feinstein Foundation.


Feinstein is known for writing, in a number of places, that certain statements by prominent ] which Feinstein found theologically objectionable were not in fact written by those ''rishonim'', but rather inserted into the text by erring students.<ref>For example, R' ]'s statement that certain verses of the Torah were written by an author other than ]; and ]' statement that ] sinned by leaving Canaan and endangering his wife in Egypt (Darash Moshe Vayera 18:13: וטעות גדול ברמב"ן שכתב שאברהם חטא בזה, ותלמיד טועה טעה לדבר ח"ו סרה על אברהם)</ref> According to Rav Dovid Cohen of ], Feinstein attributed such comments to students as a way of politely rejecting statements by ''rishonim'' while still retaining full reverence for them as religious leaders of earlier generations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://podcast.headlinesbook.com/e/52816-zika-virus-and-halacha/|title=5/28/16 - Show 69 - Zika Virus and Halacha}}</ref> Feinstein is known for writing, in a number of places, that certain statements by prominent '']'' which Feinstein found theologically objectionable were not in fact written by those ''rishonim'', but rather inserted into the text by erring students.{{Efn|For example, ]'s statement that certain verses of the Torah were written by an author other than ]; and ]' statement that ] sinned by leaving Canaan and endangering his wife in Egypt (''Darash Moshe'' ] 18:13: {{langx|he|וטעות גדול ברמב"ן שכתב שאברהם חטא בזה, ותלמיד טועה טעה לדבר ח"ו סרה על אברהם}} )}} According to Rabbi Dovid Cohen of ], Feinstein attributed such comments to students as a way of politely rejecting statements by ''rishonim'' while still retaining full reverence for them as religious leaders of earlier generations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://podcast.headlinesbook.com/e/52816-zika-virus-and-halacha/|title=5/28/16 - Show 69 - Zika Virus and Halacha &#124; Halacha Headlines|first=PodBean|last=Development|website=podcast.headlinesbook.com}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}


==References== ==References==
Line 108: Line 90:


==Bibliography== ==Bibliography==
* {{Cite book|title = Dershowitz Family Saga|isbn = 9781510770232|last1 = Dor-Shav (Dershowitz)|first1 = Zecharia|year=2022|chapter=Personal Experiences with Great Rabbis of My Generation| publisher=Skyhorse }}
*{{cite book *{{cite book
| last = Eidensohn | last = Eidensohn
Line 167: Line 150:
* Rackman, Emanuel. "Halachic progress: Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's ''Igrot Moshe'' on ''Even ha-Ezer''" in Judaism 12 (1964), 365–373 * Rackman, Emanuel. "Halachic progress: Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's ''Igrot Moshe'' on ''Even ha-Ezer''" in Judaism 12 (1964), 365–373
*Robinson, Ira. "Because of our many sins: The contemporary Jewish world as reflected in the responsa of Moses Feinstein" 2001 *Robinson, Ira. "Because of our many sins: The contemporary Jewish world as reflected in the responsa of Moses Feinstein" 2001
* Rosner, Fred. "Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's Influence on Medical Halacha" '']''. No. XX, 1990 * Rosner, Fred. "" '']''. No. XX, 1990
* __________. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein on the treatment of the terminally ill." ''Judaism''. Spring 37(2):188–98. 1988 * __________. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein on the treatment of the terminally ill." ''Judaism''. Spring 37(2):188–98. 1988
* Rabbi Mordecai Tendler, interview with grandson of Rabbi Feinstein and shamash for 18 years. * Rabbi Mordecai Tendler, interview with grandson of Rabbi Feinstein and shamash for 18 years.
* Warshofsky, Mark E. "Responsa and the Art of Writing: Three Examples from the Teshuvot of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein," in An American Rabbinate: A Festschrift for Walter Jacob Pittsburgh, Rodef Shalom Press, 2001 () * Warshofsky, Mark E. "Responsa and the Art of Writing: Three Examples from the Teshuvot of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein," in An American Rabbinate: A Festschrift for ] Pittsburgh, Rodef Shalom Press, 2001 ()


==External links== ==External links==
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Latest revision as of 21:26, 20 November 2024

Belarusian-born American Orthodox rabbi

RabbiMoshe Feinstein
Artistic Portrait of Reb Moshe Feinstein
Born(1895-03-03)March 3, 1895
Uzda, Minsk Governorate, Russian Empire
(now Belarus)
DiedMarch 23, 1986(1986-03-23) (aged 91)
New York City, United States
Resting placeHar HaMenuchot, West Jerusalem
31°48′00″N 35°11′00″E / 31.8°N 35.183333°E / 31.8; 35.183333
Other namesRav Moshe, Reb Moshe
Occupation(s)Rabbi, Posek
EmployerMesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem
Known forIgros Moshe, various rulings in Jewish law
SpouseShima Kustanovitch
Children5, including Dovid Feinstein
Reuven Feinstein
Moshe Feinstein (center), together with Yona Shtencel (left)
הגאון רבי משה Moshe Feinstein Manuscript

Moshe Feinstein (Yiddish: משה פֿײַנשטײן; Lithuanian pronunciation: Moishe Fainshtein; English: Moses Feinstein; March 3, 1895 – March 23, 1986) was a Russian-born American Orthodox Jewish rabbi, scholar, and posek (authority on halakha—Jewish law). He has been called the most famous Orthodox Jewish legal authority of the twentieth century and his rulings are often referenced in contemporary rabbinic literature. Feinstein served as president of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis, Chairman of the Council of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of the Agudath Israel of America, and head of Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem in New York.

Reb Moshe Feinstein at his desk in the bais medrash of Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem.

Feinstein is commonly referred to simply as "Reb Moshe" (or "Rav Moshe").

Biography

Moshe Feinstein was born, according to the Hebrew calendar, on Adar 7, 5655 in Uzda, near Minsk, Belarus (then part of the Russian Empire). His father, David Feinstein, was the rabbi of Uzda and a great-grandson of the Vilna Gaon's brother. David Feinstein's father, Yechiel Michel Feinstein, was a Koidanover Chassid. His mother was a descendant of talmudist Yom-Tov Lipmann Heller, the Shlah HaKadosh, and Rashi. He studied with his father and in yeshivas located in Slutsk, under Pesach Pruskin, and Shklov. He also had a close relationship with his uncle, Yaakov Kantrowitz, rabbi of Timkovichi, whom he greatly revered and considered his mentor. For the rest of his life, Feinstein considered Pruskin as his rebbe.

Feinstein was appointed rabbi of Lyuban, where he served for sixteen years. He married Shima Kustanovich in 1920 and had four children (Pesach Chaim, Fay Gittel, Shifra, and David) before leaving Europe. Pesach Chaim died in Europe, and another son, Reuven, was born in the United States. Under increasing pressure from the Soviet regime, he moved with his family to New York City in January 1937, where he lived for the rest of his life.

Settling on the Lower East Side, Feinstein became the rosh yeshiva of Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem. He later established a branch of the yeshiva in Staten Island, New York, now headed by his son Reuven. His son Dovid headed the Manhattan branch.

Feinstein was president of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada, and chaired the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America from the 1960s until his death. Feinstein also took an active leadership role in Israel's Chinuch Atzmai.

Feinstein was recognized by many as the preeminent halakhic authority (posek) of his generation; ruling on issues of Jewish law as they pertain to modern times. People from around the world called upon him to answer their most complicated halachic questions.

Halakhic authority

See also: List of rulings by Moshe Feinstein

Owing to his prominence as an adjudicator of Jewish law, Feinstein was often asked to rule on very difficult questions, whereupon he often employed a number of innovative and controversial theories in arriving at his decisions. Soon after arriving in the United States, he established a reputation for handling business and labor disputes, writing about strikes, seniority, and fair competition. He later served as the chief halakhic authority for the Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists, indicative of his expertise in Jewish medical ethics. In the medical arena, he opposed the early, unsuccessful heart transplants, although it is has been reported off-the-record that in his later years, he allowed a person to receive a heart transplant (after the medical technique of preventing rejection was improved). On such matters, he often consulted with various scientific experts, including his son-in-law Moshe David Tendler, a professor of biology who served as a rosh yeshiva at Yeshiva University.

As one of the prominent leaders of American Orthodoxy, Feinstein issued opinions that clearly distanced his community from Conservative and Reform Judaism. He faced intense opposition from Hasidic Orthodoxy on several controversial decisions, such as rulings on artificial insemination and mechitza. In the case of his position not to prohibit cigarette smoking, though he recommended against it and prohibited second-hand smoke, other Orthodox rabbinic authorities disagreed. Even while disagreeing with specific rulings, his detractors still considered him to be a leading decisor of Jewish law. The first volume of his Igrot Moshe, a voluminous collection of his halakhic decisions, was published in 1959.

Death

Moshe Feinstein's grave

Feinstein died on March 23, 1986 (13th of Adar II, 5746). Over 20,000 people gathered to hear him eulogized in New York before he was flown to Israel for burial. His funeral in Israel was delayed by a day due to mechanical problems with the plane carrying his coffin, which then had to return to New York. The funeral was said to be attended by between 200,000 and 250,000 people.

Feinstein was buried on Har HaMenuchot near his teacher, Isser Zalman Meltzer.

Prominent students

Feinstein's students included:

Works

Feinstein wrote approximately 2,000 responsa on a wide range of issues affecting Jewish practice in the modern era. Some responsa can also be found in his Talmudic commentary (Dibrot Moshe), some circulate informally, and 1,883 responsa were published in Igrot Moshe. Among Feinstein's works:

  • Igrot Moshe; (Epistles of Moshe); pronounced Igros Moshe by Yiddish speakers (such as Feinstein); halakhic responsa in 7 volumes published during his lifetime and widely referenced by contemporary halakhic authorities. The final, seventh volume was published in two different forms, the resulting variations found in a total of 65 responsa. An additional 2 volumes were published posthumously from manuscripts and oral dictations that were transcribed by others.
  • Dibrot Moshe (Moshe's Words); pronounced Dibros Moshe by Yiddish speakers such as Feinstein himself; a 14 volume work of Talmudic novellae with additional volumes being published by the Feinstein Foundation and being coordinated by his grandson, Mordecai Tendler.
  • Darash Moshe (Moshe Expounds, a reference to Leviticus 10:16), a posthumously published volume of novellae on the weekly synagogue Torah reading.
  • Kol Ram (High Voice); 3 volumes, printed in his lifetime by Avraham Fishelis, the director of his yeshiva.

Some of Feinstein's early works, including a commentary on the Jerusalem Talmud, were lost in Communist Russia, though his first writings are being prepared for publication by the Feinstein Foundation.

Feinstein is known for writing, in a number of places, that certain statements by prominent rishonim which Feinstein found theologically objectionable were not in fact written by those rishonim, but rather inserted into the text by erring students. According to Rabbi Dovid Cohen of Brooklyn, Feinstein attributed such comments to students as a way of politely rejecting statements by rishonim while still retaining full reverence for them as religious leaders of earlier generations.

Notes

  1. Traditionally the date of birth and death of the biblical Moshe, the reason that Feinstein was given this name.
  2. For example, see Roth, Joel. The Halakhic Process: A Systematic Analysis, JTS: 1986, pp.71ff. Robinson (2001).
  3. For example, Yehudah haHasid's statement that certain verses of the Torah were written by an author other than Moses; and Nachmanides' statement that Abraham sinned by leaving Canaan and endangering his wife in Egypt (Darash Moshe Vayeira 18:13: Hebrew: וטעות גדול ברמב"ן שכתב שאברהם חטא בזה, ותלמיד טועה טעה לדבר ח"ו סרה על אברהם )

References

  1. "The Water's Fine, but Is It Kosher". The New York Times. November 7, 2004.
  2. "A year of loss: Orthodox Jewry reels as rabbis die during COVID-19 pandemic". February 3, 2021.
  3. Reb Moshe: The Life and Ideals of HaGaon Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. ArtScroll. 1986. ISBN 97-81422610848.
  4. ^ Marek Cejka; Roman Koran (2015). Rabbis of our Time: Authorities of Judaism. Routledge. ISBN 978-1317605447. Reb Moshe .. body .. to Jerusalem ... funeral at ... Har Ha-Menuchot
  5. "This Day in Jewish history". Haaretz. March 3, 2013. Rabbi Feinstein – known affectionately in the Orthodox world as "Rav Moshe"...
  6. "Story template 5769". Ascent Of Safed. As soon as Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ... turned to Rav Moshe and ...
  7. Feinstein, Moshe (1996). Igros Moshe, Volume XIII (in Hebrew). New York: Judaica Press. p. 6.
  8. Finkelman, Shimon; The Story of Reb Moshe.
  9. "Great Leaders of Our People – Rav Moshe Feinstein". Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  10. "FamilySearch.org". FamilySearch.
  11. "Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Funeral Draws 20,000". Chicago Tribune. March 26, 1986.
  12. "Rabbi Moshe Feinstein", hevratpinto.org. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  13. "The Halakhic Definition of Life in a Bioethical Context". Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  14. Codex Judaica Mattis Kantor, Zichron Press, NY 2005, p.299
  15. "Rabbi Moshe Feinstein Funeral Draws 20,000". Chicago Tribune. March 26, 1986. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  16. "Thousands attend American rabbi's funeral".
  17. Scutts, Joseph (July 26, 2021). "Jewish comedian Jackie Mason reflects on his legendary career". The Jerusalem Post. The Jerusalem Report. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  18. Shalom C. Spira, "A Combination of Two Halakhically Kosher Prenuptial Agreements to Benefit the Jewish Wife," footnote 100
  19. Development, PodBean. "5/28/16 - Show 69 - Zika Virus and Halacha | Halacha Headlines". podcast.headlinesbook.com.

Bibliography

  • Dor-Shav (Dershowitz), Zecharia (2022). "Personal Experiences with Great Rabbis of My Generation". Dershowitz Family Saga. Skyhorse. ISBN 9781510770232.
  • Eidensohn, Daniel (2000). יד משה: מפתח לכל ח׳ חלקים של שו״ת אגרות משה מאת משה פיינשטיין (in Hebrew). Jerusalem, Israel: D. Eidensohn. OCLC 51317225.
  • Ellenson, David. "Two Responsa of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein." American Jewish Archives Journal, Volume LII, Nos. 1 and 2, Fall 2000–2001.
  • Feinstein, Moshe; Moshe David Tendler (1996). Responsa of Rav Moshe Feinstein: translation and commentary. by Moshe Dovid Tendler. Hoboken, NJ: KTAV Publishing House. ISBN 0-88125-444-4. LCCN 96011212. OCLC 34476198.
  • Rabbi Shimon Finkelman, Rabbi Nosson Scherman. Reb Moshe: The Life and Ideals of HaGaon Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. Brooklyn, NY: ArtScroll Mesorah, 1986. ISBN 0-89906-480-9.
  • Halperin, Mordechai (2006). "The Theological and Halakhic Legitimacy of Medical Therapy and Enhancement". In Noam Zohar (ed.). Quality of life in Jewish bioethics. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books. ISBN 0-7391-1446-8. LCCN 2005029443. OCLC 62078279.
  • Joseph, Norma Baumel (1995). Separate Spheres: Women in the Responsa of Rabbi Moses Feinstein (PhD thesis). Concordia University.
  • "Rav Moshe Feinstein". Great Leaders of our People. Orthodox Union. Retrieved October 10, 2007.
  • _________. "Jewish education for women: Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's map of America." American Jewish history, 1995
  • Rackman, Emanuel. "Halachic progress: Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's Igrot Moshe on Even ha-Ezer" in Judaism 12 (1964), 365–373
  • Robinson, Ira. "Because of our many sins: The contemporary Jewish world as reflected in the responsa of Moses Feinstein" 2001
  • Rosner, Fred. "Rabbi Moshe Feinstein's Influence on Medical Halacha" Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society. No. XX, 1990
  • __________. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein on the treatment of the terminally ill." Judaism. Spring 37(2):188–98. 1988
  • Rabbi Mordecai Tendler, interview with grandson of Rabbi Feinstein and shamash for 18 years.
  • Warshofsky, Mark E. "Responsa and the Art of Writing: Three Examples from the Teshuvot of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein," in An American Rabbinate: A Festschrift for Walter Jacob Pittsburgh, Rodef Shalom Press, 2001 (Download in PDF format)

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