Rabbi Yisroel Belsky Passes on

HaRav Chaim Yisroel Belsky ZATZAL, one of the Roshei Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in Flatbush, and a leading Posek in the United States, has passed away moments ago.Rav Belsky is renowned as of the most brilliant Torah minds of our generation, with a grasp of virtually kol haTorah kulah and instant recall and knowledge all across the spectrum.

Rabbi Belsky was diagnosed with a illness just a few months ago, and his condition began to deteriorate.

Jews around the globe as well as in his beloved Yeshiva had been Davening for his Refuah for the past few week as his condition deteriorated.

He was Niftar around 7:30PM on Thursday night.

Levaya details will be published when they are available.

Rabbi Belsky was the son of Rabbi Berel and Chana Tzirel Belsky. His maternal grandfather is Binyomin Wilhelm, a founder of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas.

Rabbi Belsky received his semicha from Yeshiva Torah Vodaas in 1962, and from Hagaon HaRav Moshe Feinstein in 1965. He also studied in Beth Medrash Elyon for a number of years.

His first kashrus position was with the Kof-K. He then served as the Senior Halachic Consultant for the Orthodox Union [OU] since 1987.

He was also the Rov of Camp Agudah since 1967.

One of his daighters is married to Philanthropist R’ Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz.

In February 2012, rabbi Belsky was rushed to the hospital by Hatzolah, after first suffering from a ruptured esophagus, and a collapsed lung. He also went into cardiac arrest while in the hospital, and underwent numerous procedures. At the time, the name Chaim was added. He remained in the hospital for nearly three months and miraculously recovered, and was released home at the end of May 2012.