10 Things You Didn't Know About the Chazon Ish

This Friday, the 15th of Cheshvan, marks the 71st anniversary of the passing of the Chazon Ish, of blessed memory. Here are 10 facts in his memory:

1. Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, known as the "Chazon Ish" after his scholarly works, was one of the leading Lithuanian rabbis, a prominent halachic authority, and a major influence on the direction of Haredi Judaism in Israel.

2. The Chazon Ish significantly shaped post-Holocaust Judaism. His contributions directly impacted the conduct of the Haredi community, reinforcing the importance of lifelong Torah study as an ideal. Recognized as the "leader of the generation" during a pivotal time, most yeshivas founded in Israel after the war did so with his blessing and guidance, earning him the title "Father of Israeli Yeshivas."

3. He was meticulous in observing halacha. The Chazon Ish believed such precision was key to reverence for Hashem. A well-known example is his search for an un-grafted species of etrog. His strict approach gained wide acceptance in the Haredi world, leading to high demand for etrogs from trees he'd deemed suitable.

4. Rabbi Aharon Bina recalled that in Vilna, the esteemed Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky told him: "Go to the synagogue and you will find a Jew named R' Avraham Yeshaya. He will be the leader of the generation and remember I told you this today."

5. R' Elimelech (Max) Schreiber, who accompanied the Rabbi of Ponovezh to visit the Chazon Ish, was advised regarding charitable donations. The Chazon Ish told Schreiber: "When the Israelites left Egypt, they were commanded to tie the lamb to the bed. Why the bed? It hinted that the redemption of Israel depends on family purity." Consequently, he advised Schreiber to dedicate himself to building mikvahs, leading to the construction of 320 mikvahs worldwide.

6. He actively promoted awareness of mitzvot dependent on the land, mainly the mitzvah of Shmita.

7. His writings include "Chazon Ish," a series of notes, innovations, and halachic rulings, and "Faith and Trust." Additional publications from his letters are "Kovetz Iggrot Chazon Ish" and "Genzim and Responsa of the Chazon Ish."

8. The name "Chazon Ish" serves as an acronym for Avraham Yeshaya. Due to his humility, he didn't sign his name on his works; instead, they bear the publishers' signatures. His brother Rabbi Moshe Karelitz is credited on the first book, while his other works were published by Rabbi Shmuel Greineman.

9. The Chazon Ish and his wife had no children. Additionally, he suffered from frequent ailments, living his life in pain. Nevertheless, he famously said, "There is no sadness in the world to someone who knows the light of truth."

10. The community "Beit Chazon" was named after him. Additionally, "Chazon Ish Housing" in Bnei Brak houses several of his prominent disciples. At the center of the neighborhood stands the Lederman Synagogue, originally named "Chazon Ish Synagogue," where practices are followed according to his guidance. In Zikhron Yaakov, another neighborhood bears the name "Chazon Ish Housing." In several Israeli cities, streets and areas are named after him, including a central street in Bnei Brak and in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Jerusalem. The "Chazon Ish Kollel," established under his guidance and named after him following his death, consists of hundreds of students, with leadership once under his nephew, Rabbi Nissim Karelitz.

A rare video of the 'Chazon Ish':