HaRav Chaim Yisroel HaLevi Belsky, Zatsal: Recorded, Remembered, and Reflected Upon
For just shy of 16 years, I had the immeasurable Zechus to interact with Maran HaGaon HaRav Chaim Yisroel HaLevi Belsky, Zatzal, in his capacity as a Senior Poseik with the Kashrus Division of the Orthodox Union (“the OU”), in which I serve as a Rabbinic Coordinator. I would like to share here some of […]
Praise Abounds for OU Kosher’s New Halacha Yomis Program in Memory of Rav Belsky zt”l
Late this past January, in response to a severe illness that threatened the life of its posek (halachic decisor) Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, OU Kosher announced a new program, Halacha Yomis, in which a kashrus halacha would be emailed to subscribers each working day. The program was organized, as OU Kosher noted, with the hope […]
Kosher Brings Out the Best at Winter Fancy Food Show 2016
For the past 25 years I’ve been coming to San Francisco every year to attend the Winter Fancy Food show. I admit, getting out of the New York winter every January is certainly a bonus, but attending this growing event is much more than a foodie’s dream, it’s a reunion of the important players in […]
Rav Belsky, zt”l – An Appreciation
The last mishnah in Masechet Uktzin states: אמר רבי יהושע בן לוי: עתיד הקדוש ברוך הוא להנחיל לכל צדיק וצדיק שלש מאות ועשרה עולמות, שנאמר,”להנחיל לאוהבי יש ואצרתיהם אמלא.” -משלי ח:כא Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: In the future, the Holy One, Blessed is He, will cause every righteous person to inherit 310 worlds, as it says, […]
Interactions with Rav Belsky, zt“l – Redefining the Word “Irreplaceable”
Ever since my first encounter with Rav Belsky at OU Headquarters, where I had the zechus (privilege) to present shailos, halachic questions, about sensitive kashrus matters to Rav Belsky for almost two decades and to gain from his immense wisdom, I have been spoiled, as have been all of my colleagues at OU Kosher who […]
A Giant in Our Midst: The Legacy of Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky zt”l at the OU
Last week, the OU suffered an enormous loss with the passing of Moreinu Virabeinu, Harav Hagaon, Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky zt”l, who provided halachic and spiritual guidance to the OU Kashrus Department for more than 28 years. The OU was not the only organization to experience an enormous loss. Rabbi Belsky had an amazing array of talents and […]
Rabbi Belsky Remembered
I was not a talmid of Rabbi Belsky in Yeshiva Torah Vodaath or in Camp Agudah as I did not attend either. My association with Rabbi Belsky was in the OU where I had the great zechus of interacting with him on kashruth matters, so my recollections of him are mostly anecdotal. Rabbi Yisroel Belsky […]
OU Kosher Halacha Yomis Email Series
It is with great excitement that we present to the general public, OU Kosher Halacha Yomis. We believe that this feature will be of great value and importance to Klal Yisroel. At the same time, we launch this new endeavor during a week of Shiva, as we mourn the passing of Moreinu Virabeinu, Harav Hagoan, […]
Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Belsky zt”l Passes Away
Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Belsky zt”l, senior halachic consultant for the Orthodox Union, a roshei yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath and a luminary of Orthodox Judaism, passed away on January 28 after a battle with cancer. He was 77. “We at the Orthodox Union join the rest of the Jewish people in mourning the loss of Rav Chaim Yisroel […]
OU KOSHER’S Beren Ask OU Outreach Program Receives Welcome in Brooklyn with Overwhelming Numbers
To a packed shul as well as Ezras Nashim, the recent Harry H. Beren ASK OU OUTREACH Program in Brooklyn at Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyomin was a resounding success. After Tehillim for Rav Yisroel Belsky, Shlita and greetings by the Mora D’Asra, Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff, fascinating shiurim were given by Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO […]