Yosef Eliyahu Henkin
(1880 -1973)
Rav Henkin was an original, independent person who
was a unique blend of forcefulness and modesty. He was unaffiliated
organizationally, but related to every segment of the Orthodox spectrum. His integrity was incomparable (when taking a phone call unrelated
to his work he deducted the time) and though his views were not always
accepted, they always commanded respect. Rabbi
Joseph B. Soloveitchik once remarked that when he saw Rav Henkin
he could imagine Adam before
the fall. Born in Belorussia, he applied to the Slutzker Yeshiva
under R. Isser Zalman Meltzer at a tender age. When R. Isser Zalman
tested him on Tractate Eruvin, he soon realized that the boy knew it
better than he. In addition to R. Meltzer, he was ordained by R. Boruch
Ber Leibowitz and the Aruch HaShulchan. After serving as rabbi and Yeshiva head in a number of Russian towns, he emigrated to America in 1922 and in 1925 became Director of
Ezras Torah, which provided assistance to scholars. He served in that
capacity until his death. He was paid a meager salary and when he attained
an advanced age and reduced his work day, he insisted that his salary
be correspondingly reduced.
Rav Henkin was one of the leading Halachic authorities of his generation and was particularly expert in the laws
of divorce. He was thoroughly
knowledgeable concerning the issues of the day and wrote many articles
expressing his frequently critical viewpoint. He urged each community
to hire a dayan, besides the rabbi, who could decide all questions of
halacha. He strongly attacked self-styled Jewish leaders who jeopardized
Jewish lives to advance their political ambitions. He held that witnessed
civil marriages were halachically binding. He believed that once the
State of Israel was established it should be supported by all Jews,
except in matters contrary to Torah.
Most of his writings are collected in two volumes printed by Ezras Torah.
Indicative of the esteem in which Rav Henkin was held,
is R. Yaakov Kamenetzky’s statement at Rav Henkin’s funeral
that he had always thought that Rav Henkin would be our representative
to greet the Messiah.
Sources: Orthodox
Union |