Rabbi Chaim Kreiswirth (1918-2001) was an Orthodox rabbi who served as the longtime Chief Rabbi of Antwerp, Belgium. He was the founder and rosh yeshiva of the Mercaz HaTorah yeshiva in Jerusalem, and was a highly regarded Torah scholar.
Early Years:
Chaim studied for many years in the famous Torah centers of Poland and Lithuania. Upon application the Chachmei Lublin Yeshiva, he was tested by the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Meir Shapiro. Rabbi Shapiro was impressed by Chaim's proficiency in all aspects of Torah. Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski was very fond of him and gave his sefer on Tractate Zevachim a warm recommendation (the manuscript was lost during the World War
Rabbi Kreiswirth received
Semicha from
Rabbi Chanoch Henich
Eigess.
Second World War:
Reaching Lithuania, he married the daughter of the Slabodka Mashgiach, Rabbi Avrohom Grodzinski. The couple then left via Vilna to Palestine, where he settled into the yeshiva world and became friendly with many famous personalities, including the Brisker Rav, the Chazon Ish, the Steipler, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and Rabbi Yosef Sholom Eliashiv.
Post World War II:
In 1947, Rabbi Kreiswirth moved to the United States and from 1947 to 1953 served as Rosh Yeshiva at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois.
In 1953 he moved to Antwerp in an effort to rebuild the Jewish community there. This move was against the counsel of the Chazon Ish, and the Amshinover Rebbe.
Rabbi Kreiswirth devoted the rest of his life to the Belgian community, became the Av Beth Din and Posek in Antwerp and was active in Agudath Israel.
Final Days:
Thousands of people came from all over Europe to participate in the funeral in Antwerp. Among the eulogizers were Dayan Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss and Dayan Elya Sternbuch of Antwerp. The main funeral and burial was held in Jerusalem, where, among many, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel and Rabbi Kreiswirth's son Rabbi Dov Kreiswirth of Lakewood gave eulogies.
