Hazon Ish and the Development of Charedi Halakhah in Israel

Rabbi Mintz on Jewish History - Glimpses into the religious Lives of Early Modern European Jewry

Hazon Ish is considered the "grandfather of the Charedi movement in Israel". This lecture will explore the fascinating biography of Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz from his early life in Lithuania through his years as the rabbinic authority in Bnei Brak, Israel. We will analyze his approach to halakhic decision making which differed from the traditional Lithuanian approach and set the standard for the halakhic approach of the Israeli Charedim. In addition, we will study the background and significance of the meeting between Hazon Ish and Prime Minister Ben Gurion regarding National Service for Orthodox women in Israel and the precedent it set for the relationship between the Israeli government and the Charedi leadership