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A translated chapter from: The Hazon Ish: Halakhist, Believer and Leader of the Haredi Revolution: "The Gaon of Vilna, the Hatam Sofer and the Hazon Ish - Minhag and the Crisis of Modernity" (English)
Benjamin Brown
2018, Hakirah
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Abstract
We have seen that from the 1930's to the 1950's at least, the position of the Ḥ azon Ish remained consistent and unyielding: A minhag has no * Excerpted from Benjamin Brown, The Ḥ azon Ish: Halakhist, Believer, and Leader of the Ḥ aredi Revolution, (Jerusalem: Hebrew University Magnes Press, 2011) pp. 460-469. Published here in Ḥ akirah with the kind permission of the author and Hebrew University Magnes Press. + Devarim Vehoraot = R. Meir Greiniman, Kuntres Devarim Vehoraot Mimaran ZLLHH, at the end of his book Imrei Yosher, Bnei Brak 1973. Dinim Vehanhagot = R. Meir Greiniman, Likkut Dinim Vehanhagot Mimaran Ha ḥ azon Ish ZLLHH, Bnei Brak 1996. Ḥ azon Ish = R. Avaraham Yesha'yahu Karelitz, Ḥ azon Ish [on talmudic tractates and sections of the Shulḥ an 'Arukh], Bnei Brak 1994. Kovetz Iggrot = R. Avraham Yesha'yahu Karelitz (R. Shmuel Greiniman, ed), Kovetz Iggrot Maran Haḥ azon Ish ZLLHH (1-3), Bnei Brak 1990.
Key takeaways
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- The Hazon Ish's position on minhag reflects a premodern Litvish ethos, emphasizing elite scholarship.
- His views developed independently of modern crises, rooted instead in Lithuanian rabbinic tradition.
- The concept of minhag serves differently in various Orthodox movements, contrasting with the Hazon Ish's critical stance.
- Friedman and Soloveitchik's theories on modernity's impact on Halakhah need nuanced examination regarding the Hazon Ish.
- The 'Hazon-Ishnik' community has created customs attributed to him, raising questions about their authenticity.
FAQ's
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How did the Hazon Ish's elitism influence his views on halakhic decision-making?add
The study finds that the Hazon Ish promoted a critical stance toward minhagim, viewing halakhic authority as vested primarily in elite Torah scholars, reflecting Litvish elitism identified as early as 1913.
What role did crises like the Holocaust play in halakhic methodologies?add
While Friedman and Soloveitchik argue such crises disrupted tradition, the research indicates the Hazon Ish's attitudes predated these events, rooted in earlier Litvish values.
How did the Hazon Ish's approach compare to that of the Hatam Sofer?add
The Hazon Ish exhibited skepticism toward minhag, contrasting with the Hatam Sofer's reverence for popular customs, thus presenting two divergent Orthodox responses to modernity.
What influence did the Gaon of Vilna have on Hazon Ish's scholarly perspective?add
The Hazon Ish's methodology closely aligned with the Gaon’s, emphasizing a 'return to the texts' approach, deeply internalized within the Litvish community since the 18th century.
How does the Hazon Ish's ideology inform contemporary Orthodox Halakhah?add
The paper reveals that the Hazon Ish's preference for textual authority has significantly shaped current Halakhic practices within the haredi community, even amidst modern challenges.