Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky (December 14, 1925 - November 30, 2000)[1] was an American-born rabbi and teacher.[2] He served as both dean and rosh yeshiva at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel for decades, until the last year of his life.[3][2]
His parents, Raphael Nisan Shlomo (Nathan) and Rachel (Rose), had a business in Chicago, where he was born. The family moved to St. Louis for a better opportunity.[1] This "opportunity" did not include a better Jewish education, and at age 15 he was sent to study in Chicago's Beis Medrash L'Torah, specifically to learn from Dovid Lifshitz. Three years later he transferred to Mesivta Torah V'Daas. Despite his yeshiva rabbinical student status, he was drafted into the United States Army August 1944.[1]
While on leave during his training period mid-week, he spent time in a Jewish book store frequented by his future father-in-law. He was discharged in early 1946. He married Sarah Gartenhouse on June 18, 1947. Through 1954, he studied at Bais Medrash Elyon, in Monsey, at which time, with the help of a cousin already at Yeshiva Ner Yisroel, he accepted a teaching position.[1]
Teacheredit
A student, asking his teacher, Kulefsky, how he remembered so many details connected with so many topics he taught, was told: "Do you remember how many children you have? Do you remember their names?"[4]: p.185 His teaching role began while in the U.S. Army; when given a Shabbos off, he'd walk miles from his training base to Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and lecture.: p.56
When the school was able to accept students permitted to leave Iran,[4]: pp.291–294 he "became almost like a surrogate parent to them." Kulefsky served as the rosh yeshiva from Rabbi Weinberg's death in 1999 until his own death on November 30, 2000.[5]
Yissocher Frand compared how his personality was able to "transmit to literally thousands of talmidim" because his method was like giving "a baby its first lollypop" leading to many a life-long connection.
An example of his being gentle was when a student asked for permission to skip part of a day in yeshiva to attend an out-of-town wedding. When Rabbi Kulefsky delayed a direct yes or no, the student asked, "So is it OK?" and was told, "I can't tell you whether it's OK for you to go. I have enough problems worrying about my bittul Torah;[6] I can't speak for yours."[2]
Some of his teachings were encapsulated in "Chidushei Rav Kulefsky."[7][8]
Personaledit
Rabbi Kulefsky was a first born only son; he had 3 sisters.[1] He and his wife of 53 years had two sons and three daughters.[3]
Referencesedit
^ abcdefRabbi Sholom Tendler (November 13, 2015). "Rav Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky, zt'l, on the Occasion of His 15th Yahrzeit: 3 Kislev". Baltimore Jewish Life.
^Chidushei Rav Kulefsky, Sukkah (Hebrew Only). from the teachings of Harav Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky zt"l .. Compiled after his passing by .. based on recordings of his world-famous lectures and notes of his close students.
Purim Grammen by Harav Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky, zt"l
Jacob Morris Kulefsky in the 1940 Census
January 01, 1970
yaakov, moshe, kulefsky, rabbi, december, 1925, november, 2000, american, born, rabbi, teacher, served, both, dean, rosh, yeshiva, yeshivas, yisroel, decades, until, last, year, life, contents, early, life, teacher, dean, yisroel, personal, references, externa. Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky December 14 1925 November 30 2000 1 was an American born rabbi and teacher 2 He served as both dean and rosh yeshiva at Yeshivas Ner Yisroel for decades until the last year of his life 3 2 Contents 1 Early life 2 Teacher 3 Dean Ner Yisroel 4 Personal 5 References 6 External linksEarly life editHis parents Raphael Nisan Shlomo Nathan and Rachel Rose had a business in Chicago where he was born The family moved to St Louis for a better opportunity 1 This opportunity did not include a better Jewish education and at age 15 he was sent to study in Chicago s Beis Medrash L Torah specifically to learn from Dovid Lifshitz Three years later he transferred to Mesivta Torah V Daas Despite his yeshiva rabbinical student status he was drafted into the United States Army August 1944 1 While on leave during his training period mid week he spent time in a Jewish book store frequented by his future father in law He was discharged in early 1946 He married Sarah Gartenhouse on June 18 1947 Through 1954 he studied at Bais Medrash Elyon in Monsey at which time with the help of a cousin already at Yeshiva Ner Yisroel he accepted a teaching position 1 Teacher editA student asking his teacher Kulefsky how he remembered so many details connected with so many topics he taught was told Do you remember how many children you have Do you remember their names 4 p 185 His teaching role began while in the U S Army when given a Shabbos off he d walk miles from his training base to Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and lecture p 56 Dean Ner Yisroel editHe also was involved with the testing process for rabbinical ordination at Ner Yisroel 1 When the school was able to accept students permitted to leave Iran 4 pp 291 294 he became almost like a surrogate parent to them Kulefsky served as the rosh yeshiva from Rabbi Weinberg s death in 1999 until his own death on November 30 2000 5 Yissocher Frand compared how his personality was able to transmit to literally thousands of talmidim because his method was like giving a baby its first lollypop leading to many a life long connection An example of his being gentle was when a student asked for permission to skip part of a day in yeshiva to attend an out of town wedding When Rabbi Kulefsky delayed a direct yes or no the student asked So is it OK and was told I can t tell you whether it s OK for you to go I have enough problems worrying about my bittul Torah 6 I can t speak for yours 2 Some of his teachings were encapsulated in Chidushei Rav Kulefsky 7 8 Personal editRabbi Kulefsky was a first born only son he had 3 sisters 1 He and his wife of 53 years had two sons and three daughters 3 References edit a b c d e f Rabbi Sholom Tendler November 13 2015 Rav Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky zt l on the Occasion of His 15th Yahrzeit 3 Kislev Baltimore Jewish Life a b c Yissocher Frand January 2001 Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky PDF The Jewish Observer a b Rabbi Yaakov Kulefsky 74 dean of students at Ner Israel Baltimore Sun December 4 2000 a b Rabbi Yechiel Spero 2020 Rav Kulefsky Artscroll ISBN 978 1 4226 2751 8 Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky kevarim com Retrieved February 1 2018 Americanism wasting time Chidushei Rav Kulefsky Sukkah Hebrew Only from the teachings of Harav Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky zt l Compiled after his passing by based on recordings of his world famous lectures and notes of his close students Chidushei R Kulefsky Kiddushin External links editPurim Grammen by Harav Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky zt l Jacob Morris Kulefsky in the 1940 Census Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Yaakov Moshe Kulefsky amp oldid 1195517477, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
