Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (April 10, 1910 – July 18, 2012) was a world-renowned Haredi rabbi and posek (supreme arbiter of Jewish law) who lived in Jerusalem. Revered by hundreds of thousands worldwide, he was widely regarded by Ashkenazi Jews as the Posek Ha-Dor—the leading halachic authority of his generation.

Despite never holding an official title such as the head of a major yeshiva or a specific congregation, his unmatched scholarship made him the paramount spiritual leader of the Lithuanian-Haredi (non-Hasidic Ashkenazi) community until his death at the age of 102.

Early Life and Background

• Origins: He was born in Šiauliai, Lithuania, as an only child to Rabbi Avraham Erener and Chaya Mushka. His maternal grandfather was the famous kabbalist Rabbi Shlomo Elyashiv (known as the Leshem).

  
  

• Immigration: In 1922, at the age of 12, his family immigrated to British Mandate Palestine. On the advice of the Chofetz Chaim, his father adopted the surname "Elyashiv" to secure a uniform family immigration certificate.

  
  

• Marriage: In 1929, at the suggestion of Palestine's Chief Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (who also conducted the wedding), he married Sheina Chaya Levin, the daughter of the famous "Tzaddik of Jerusalem," Rabbi Aryeh Levin. The couple had 12 children.

  
  

Religious and Judicial Career

In the earlier stages of his career, Rabbi Elyashiv served as a dayan (rabbinic judge) in Israel's official state rabbinical court system. He was appointed to the Supreme Rabbinical Court by Chief Rabbi Yitzchak HaLevi Herzog, who famously exempted him from standard rabbinical examinations due to his obvious and immense scholarship. However, he eventually left the state court system in the early 1970s.

For the remainder of his life, he resided in a modest apartment on the edge of the Meah Shearim neighborhood in Jerusalem, dedicating himself fully to studying and teaching.

Leadership and Influence

Following the passing of Rabbi Elazar Shach, Rabbi Elyashiv became the undisputed supreme leader of the Lithuanian Torah world.

• The Ultimate Diligence (Hashakdan): He was legendary for his strict, uncompromising daily schedule.For decades, he slept very few hours and studied Torah for 16 to 20 hours a day, famously waking up around 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. even during times of illness.

  
  

• Global Legal Arbiter: From his small home, he received complex halachic queries from rabbis, community leaders, physicians, and individuals from across the globe.

  
  

• Political Role: In 1989, he became the spiritual guide of the Israeli political party Degel HaTorah (part of the United Torah Judaism alliance). Though he shied away from personal fame or political campaigning, his word was final, and the party's Knesset members abided strictly by his rulings.

  
  

Published Works

While Rabbi Elyashiv rarely authored books himself, his extensive lectures, responsa, and legal rulings were meticulously compiled, edited, and published by his students and relatives. Some of the most notable collections include:

• Kovetz Teshuvos: A multi-volume collection of his written responsa answering complex questions on Jewish law.

  
  

• Ha’oros and Shiurei Maran Hagrish Elyashiv: Extensive student-written transcripts of his detailed lectures on the Talmud.

  
  

• Divrei Aggadah: A collection of his ethical teachings and insights on the Torah.

  
  

• Topical halachic guides compiled from his rulings, such as Yashiv Moshe, Pniney Tefila (on prayer), and Pniney Nisuin (on marriage).

  
  

Rabbi Elyashiv passed away in 2012 at the age of 102. Reflecting his monumental status in the Jewish world, his late-night funeral procession in Jerusalem drew an estimated 250,000 people.