Chaim Kreiswirth

Rabbi Chaim Kreiswirth (1918-2001) was an Orthodox rabbi who served as the longtime Chief Rabbi of Congregation Machzikei Hadass Antwerp, Belgium. He was the founder and rosh yeshiva of the Mercaz HaTorah yeshiva in Jerusalem, and was a highly regarded Torah scholar.

Early years

Kreiswirth was born in Wojnicz, Poland in 1918, the son of Rabbi Avrohom Yosef Schermann^[1] and Perla Kreiswirth. In his youth, he was well-known for his brilliance, excellent character traits and geniality, dubbed the "Cracower Illui" at age 15 in recognition of his prodigious powers of Talmudic analysis. 

Kreiswirth studied for many years in the famous Torah centers of Poland and Lithuania. Upon application the Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva, he was tested by the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Meir Shapiro. Rabbi Shapiro was impressed by Kreiswirth's proficiency in all aspects of Torah. Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski was very fond of him and gave his sefer on Tractate Zevachim a warm recommendation (the manuscript was lost during the World War II).^[1]

Kreiswirth received Semicha from Rabbi Chanoch Henich Eigess.

Second World War

With the 1939 German invasion of Poland, Kreiswirth fled to Lithuania.

In Lithuania, he married the daughter of the Slabodka Mashgiach, Rabbi Avrohom Grodzinski. The couple then left via Vilna to Palestine, where he met many famous personalities, including the Brisker Rav, the Chazon Ish, the Steipler, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rabbi Yosef Sholom Eliashiv.

Post-World War II

At the end of World War II, Kreiswirth returned to Poland in an attempt to rescue Jewish children who had been sheltered by the Catholic Church for the war's duration.

In 1947, he moved to the United States and from 1947 to 1953 served as Rosh Yeshiva at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois.

In 1953 he moved to Antwerp in an effort to rebuild the Jewish community there. This move was against the counsel of the Chazon Ish, and the Amshinover Rebbe. 

Kreiswirth devoted the rest of his life to the Belgian community, became the Av Beth Din and Posek in Antwerp and was active in Agudath Israel.

Final days

Kreiswirth died on Sunday 30 December 2001 (16 Tevet 5762 on the Hebrew calendar) shortly before midnight, aged 82, after suffering from an illness.^[1]

Thousands of people came from all over Europe to participate in the funeral in Antwerp. Among the eulogizers were Dayan Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss and Dayan Elya Sternbuch of Antwerp. The main funeral and burial was held in Jerusalem, where, among many, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel and Rabbi Kreiswirth's son Rabbi Dov Kreiswirth of Lakewood gave eulogies.

External links

• [1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Bruchi, S.; M. Plaut (2 January 2002). "HaRav Chaim Kreiswirth ztvk"l". Dei'ah VeDibur. http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/archives5762/S62arkrswrth.htm. Retrieved 10 March 2010. 

Persondata
Name	Kreiswirth, Chaim
Alternative names
Short description	Chief Rabbi
Date of birth	1918
Place of birth	Wojnicz, Poland
Date of death	30 December 2001
Place of death