Rav Yechezkel Abramsky’s influence on British Jewry continues to be felt today, as even secular Jews have come to appreciate the values he brought to their community
born genius who stared down the Russian authorities. A brilliant writer whose Chazon Yechezkel has become the classic commentary on Tosefta. The leader of Vaad Hayeshivos in Eretz Yisrael.
For all the titles Rav Yechezkel Abramsky held in his life perhaps the one with the most enduring influence was Chief Dayan in the London Beis Din — a position he only accepted after ensuring that he would be able to raise the standards of halachah for all of British Jewry.
London 1935.
The winds blowing fromGermanybear increasingly frightening news. Those emanating from theSoviet Unionbring tidings of Communism’s tightening grip over Yiddishkeit. British Jews are apprehensive at the darkness all around them but are focused on filling the vacant seat of chief dayan on the London Beis Din. It seems almost impossible to satisfy all the factions involved in the decision with the growing religiously conservative immigrant community demanding a greater voice in communal policy and the powerful left-wing establishment attempting to maintain the status quo without fracturing the community. The chief dayan must maintain the beis din’s grandeur pleasing everyone — but bowing to no one. His ideology and policies will shape British Jewry’s present and future.
Possible candidates include such luminaries as Rabbi Dr. Isaac Herzog future chief rabbi ofIsrael and Rav Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg the Seridei Eish. One name keeps recurring: Rav Yechezkel Abramsky a recent émigré from Communist Russia where he narrowly escaped a death sentence for teaching and disseminating Torah. His consideration for the position is an enigma to many as his minimal English and his ultra-right-wing hashkafos pose a marked contrast with the United Synagogue’s centrist religious positions.
Create a free account to keep reading.
