Rabbi Refoel Shmuelevitz (November 20, 1937 – January 18, 2016) was a prominent Orthodox rabbi, Talmudic scholar, and one of the leaders of the famed Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, the largest yeshiva in the world.

Lineage and Leadership

Rabbi Shmuelevitz belonged to a highly respected line of Lithuanian rabbinic aristocracy:

• Father: He was the son of Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz, the legendary Rosh Yeshiva of the Mir Yeshiva who guided the institution through its perilous World War II exile in Shanghai before rebuilding it in Jerusalem.

• Role at the Mir: Following in his father's footsteps, Rabbi Refoel served as a Rosh Yeshiva (head) of the Mir Yeshiva, where he was known as a sharp, demanding, yet deeply warm and caring educator who represented the classic, "old-school" Lithuanian approach to Talmudic study.

Editorial Work: The Talmudic Encyclopedia

Beyond his lectures at the yeshiva, Rabbi Shmuelevitz made a massive, lasting contribution to global Torah scholarship through his literary leadership. Following the passing of Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Zevin in 1978, Rabbi Shmuelevitz became the chief editor of the Talmudic Encyclopedia (Entziklopedia Talmudit). Under his direction, the publication shifted to ensure that entries were incredibly exhaustive, incorporating as many cross-references and sources as possible to maximize its utility for scholars.

Medical Diagnosis and Experimental Treatment

In his later years, Rabbi Shmuelevitz was diagnosed with two severe, debilitating muscle degenerative diseases: Myasthenia Gravis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

The illness eventually left him wheelchair-bound and barely able to speak. However, he became the subject of widespread attention within both the medical and Orthodox communities when he underwent an experimental, "compassionate treatment" trial utilizing NurOwn cell therapy at Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem. Following a single injection, he experienced a stunning, temporary medical breakthrough that allowed him to walk and speak clearly again, providing encouraging data for researchers studying the treatment.

Passing

Rabbi Shmuelevitz passed away at the age of 78 on January 18, 2016, at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. His funeral procession through the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem was attended by thousands of mourners paying respect to his decades of leadership and scholarship.