Yitzchok Zilberstein
Encyclopedia
Yitzchok Zilberstein (born 1934) is a prominent Orthodox
rabbi
, posek
(Jewish legal authority) and expert in medical ethics
. He is the av beis din of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak, the Rosh Kollel
of Kollel Bais David in Holon, and the Rav of Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak. His opinion is frequently sought and quoted on all matters of halakha
for the Israeli Lithuania
n yeshiva
community.
, Poland
to Rabbi Dovid Yosef and Rachel Zilberstein. The family emigrated to Palestine
while he was a young boy, and he studied in the Etz Chaim Yeshiva
in Jerusalem under Rabbi Aryeh Levin
. In his teen years Zilberstein studied in the Slabodka yeshiva in Bnei Brak, where he became a student of Rabbi Yehezkel Abramsky
, who gave him rabbinic ordination.
He married Aliza Shoshana Eliashiv (1936–1999), a daughter of Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv and granddaughter of Rabbi Aryeh Levin. She assumed the financial burden for running their household and encouraged him to continue studying Torah
. They began their married life in Bnei Brak, where Rabbi Zilberstein studied in the kollel
attached to his alma mater
and received another rabbinic ordination by the leading posek of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Shmuel Wosner
. Subsequently, Zilberstein moved his family to Switzerland
, where he served as a rosh mesivta and maggid shiur
in the Yeshiva
of Lucerne
for several years
Upon their return to Israel, Zilberstein headed the Bais David Institutions in Holon, a largely secular city where he exerted a great influence over the entire community through his shiurim (Torah lectures), including a monthly shiur which he gave to religious and secular doctors on the topic of healing and halacha. In 1981 he was appointed Rav and av beis din of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak.
s in Israel; his daughter, Leah, is married to Rabbi Dovid Kook.
, abortion
, in vitro fertilization, and multi-fetal pregnancy reduction
. He is a regular speaker at the annual Jerusalem Center for Research Yarchei Kallah on Medicine and Halacha.
In 1999 Rabbi Zilberstein was appointed to a special beis din composed of leading Orthodox halachic authorities who convened to study the effects of the Internet
on Orthodox families and students. This beis din issued a daas Torah (Torah proclamation) against the use of the computer for entertainment — such as computer games and films — rather than for business purposes. In 2009 Rabbi Zilberstein was a member of a committee which investigated conversion
and civil marriage in Israel and gave its recommendations to Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv prior to his rendering a psak (halachic decision) on the issue.
prayer at the end of the daily prayer service), compiled by Zilberstein's student, Rabbi Moshe Michael Tzoren, is based on the Rav's private writings, shiurim and conversations; it includes a wealth of stories based on fascinating and unusual she'eilos (questions) received by the Bnei Brak posek. The Hebrew-language
series sold in the tens of thousands, becoming one of the best-selling titles on the market. In 2009, the first English
translation of the Book of Genesis was published by ArtScroll
; it was followed by volumes on the Book of Exodus and Book of Leviticus as of March 2010. Tuvcha Yabi'u ("They Will Speak Your Goodness"), a 2-volume set, and Barchi Nafshi ("Bless My Soul"), are also edited by Rabbi Tzoren.
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...
, posek
Posek
Posek is the term in Jewish law for "decider"—a legal scholar who decides the Halakha in cases of law where previous authorities are inconclusive or in those situations where no halakhic precedent exists....
(Jewish legal authority) and expert in medical ethics
Medical ethics
Medical ethics is a system of moral principles that apply values and judgments to the practice of medicine. As a scholarly discipline, medical ethics encompasses its practical application in clinical settings as well as work on its history, philosophy, theology, and sociology.-History:Historically,...
. He is the av beis din of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak, the Rosh Kollel
Kollel
A kollel is an institute for full-time, advanced study of the Talmud and rabbinic literature. Like a yeshiva, a kollel features shiurim and learning sedarim ; unlike a yeshiva, the student body of a kollel are all married men...
of Kollel Bais David in Holon, and the Rav of Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak. His opinion is frequently sought and quoted on all matters of halakha
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...
for the Israeli Lithuania
Lithuania
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...
n 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...
community.
Biography
Zilberstein was born in BendinBedzin
Będzin is a city in Zagłębie Dąbrowskie in southern Poland. Located in the Silesian Highlands, on the Czarna Przemsza river , the city borders the Upper Silesian Metropolitan Union - a metro area with a population of about 2 million.It has been situated in the Silesian Voivodeship since its...
, 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...
to Rabbi Dovid Yosef and Rachel Zilberstein. The family emigrated to Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
while he was a young boy, and he studied in the Etz Chaim Yeshiva
Etz Chaim Yeshiva
Etz Chaim Yeshiva is an orthodox yeshiva located on Jaffa Road close to the Mahane Yehuda Market in downtown Jerusalem.-History:Etz Chaim Yeshiva was originally a Talmud Torah which was established in 1841 by the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, Shmuel Salant. For the first two years classes were held in...
in Jerusalem under Rabbi Aryeh Levin
Aryeh Levin
Rabbi Aryeh Levin, , known as Reb Aryeh, was an Orthodox rabbi dubbed the "Father of Prisoners" for his visits to members of the Jewish underground imprisoned in the Central Prison of Jerusalem in the Russian Compound during the British Mandate...
. In his teen years Zilberstein studied in the Slabodka yeshiva in Bnei Brak, where he became a student of Rabbi Yehezkel Abramsky
Yehezkel Abramsky
Yehezkel Abramsky , also affectionately referred to as 'Reb Chatzkel Abramsky', was a prominent and influential Orthodox rabbi and scholar, born and raised in Russia who later headed the London Beth Din for 17 years....
, who gave him rabbinic ordination.
He married Aliza Shoshana Eliashiv (1936–1999), a daughter of Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv and granddaughter of Rabbi Aryeh Levin. She assumed the financial burden for running their household and encouraged him to continue studying 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...
. They began their married life in Bnei Brak, where Rabbi Zilberstein studied in the kollel
Kollel
A kollel is an institute for full-time, advanced study of the Talmud and rabbinic literature. Like a yeshiva, a kollel features shiurim and learning sedarim ; unlike a yeshiva, the student body of a kollel are all married men...
attached to his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
and received another rabbinic ordination by the leading posek of Bnei Brak, Rabbi Shmuel Wosner
Shmuel Wosner
Rabbi Shmuel Wosner is a Haredi rabbi and posek living in Bnei Brak, Israel....
. Subsequently, Zilberstein moved his family to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, where he served as a rosh mesivta and maggid shiur
Maggid shiur
The term Maggid Shiur literarly translates from Hebrew to mean "sayer of Shiur".This term is used to refer to the Rabbi that lectures in a Yeshiva or Kollel.A Maggid Shiur is generally a Rabbi who lectures on advanced and in-depth Talmudic studies....
in the 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...
of Lucerne
Lucerne
Lucerne is a city in north-central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of that country. Lucerne is the capital of the Canton of Lucerne and the capital of the district of the same name. With a population of about 76,200 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and...
for several years
Upon their return to Israel, Zilberstein headed the Bais David Institutions in Holon, a largely secular city where he exerted a great influence over the entire community through his shiurim (Torah lectures), including a monthly shiur which he gave to religious and secular doctors on the topic of healing and halacha. In 1981 he was appointed Rav and av beis din of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood of Bnei Brak.
Family
After the death of his first wife at the age of 63 in 1999, he remarried Toby Tiberger and moved to her home in Ramat Gan. His sons, Avraham and Aryeh, are well-known rabbis and rosh yeshivaRosh 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...
s in Israel; his daughter, Leah, is married to Rabbi Dovid Kook.
Current activities
Rabbi Zilberstein is an acknowledged halachic authority and is renowned as an expert in medical issues related to halacha, including organ transplantOrgan transplant
Organ transplantation is the moving of an organ from one body to another or from a donor site on the patient's own body, for the purpose of replacing the recipient's damaged or absent organ. The emerging field of regenerative medicine is allowing scientists and engineers to create organs to be...
, abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, in vitro fertilization, and multi-fetal pregnancy reduction
Selective reduction
Selective reduction is the practice of aborting one or more fetuses in a multifetal pregnancy. Such an abortion procedure is often performed after a congenital defect has been identified...
. He is a regular speaker at the annual Jerusalem Center for Research Yarchei Kallah on Medicine and Halacha.
In 1999 Rabbi Zilberstein was appointed to a special beis din composed of leading Orthodox halachic authorities who convened to study the effects of the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
on Orthodox families and students. This beis din issued a daas Torah (Torah proclamation) against the use of the computer for entertainment — such as computer games and films — rather than for business purposes. In 2009 Rabbi Zilberstein was a member of a committee which investigated conversion
Conversion to Judaism
Conversion to Judaism is a formal act undertaken by a non-Jewish person who wishes to be recognised as a full member of the Jewish community. A Jewish conversion is both a religious act and an expression of association with the Jewish people...
and civil marriage in Israel and gave its recommendations to Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliashiv prior to his rendering a psak (halachic decision) on the issue.
Popular appeal
Rabbi Zilberstein's teachings have gained popular appeal with the publication of three series of books containing stories and advice, organized according to the weekly Torah reading. These are: Aleinu L'Shabayach: Pirkei Chizuk V'Emunah ("We Are Obligated to Praise: Chapters of Encouragement and Faith"), Tuv'cha Yabi'u: Ma'amarei Chizuk, Hashkafa Umussar ("They Will Speak Your Goodness: Words of Encouragement, Philosophy and Mussar"), and Barchi Nafshi: Pirkei Chizuk V'Emunah ("Bless My Soul: Chapters of Encouragement and Faith"). Aleinu L'shabayach (the title is taken from the AleinuAleinu
Aleinu or Aleinu leshabei'ach , meaning "it is upon us or it is our obligation or duty to praise God," is a Jewish prayer found in the siddur, the classical Jewish prayerbook. It is recited at the end of each of the three daily Jewish services...
prayer at the end of the daily prayer service), compiled by Zilberstein's student, Rabbi Moshe Michael Tzoren, is based on the Rav's private writings, shiurim and conversations; it includes a wealth of stories based on fascinating and unusual she'eilos (questions) received by the Bnei Brak posek. The Hebrew-language
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
series sold in the tens of thousands, becoming one of the best-selling titles on the market. In 2009, the first English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
translation of the Book of Genesis was published by ArtScroll
ArtScroll
ArtScroll is an imprint of translations, books and commentaries from an Orthodox Jewish perspective published by Mesorah Publications, Ltd., a publishing company based in Brooklyn, New York...
; it was followed by volumes on the Book of Exodus and Book of Leviticus as of March 2010. Tuvcha Yabi'u ("They Will Speak Your Goodness"), a 2-volume set, and Barchi Nafshi ("Bless My Soul"), are also edited by Rabbi Tzoren.
Selected bibliography
- Aleinu L'shabayach ("We are Obligated to Praise") (6 volumes in Hebrew; first 3 volumes in English published by ArtScroll, 2009-2010)
- Tuvcha Yabi'u ("They Will Speak Your Goodness"), Hebrew, 2-volume set
- Barchi Nafshi ("Bless My Soul"), Hebrew, 3 volumes published to date
- Chashukei Chemed on ShasShasShas is an ultra-orthodox religious political party in Israel, primarily representing Sephardic and Mizrahi Haredi Judaism.Shas was founded in 1984 by dissident members of the Ashkenazi dominated Agudat Israel, to represent the interests of religiously observant Sephardic and Mizrahi ...
- Toras Hayoledes ("Law of the Childbearing Woman")