Renowned Historian and Rav Rabbi Berel Wein z”l, Niftar at 91

Jewish historian, educator and Rav Rabbi Berel Wein passed away Motzi Shabbos. He was 91 years old.

Rabbi Wein was a highly influential figure in the Jewish world, whose teachings, perspective, and leadership shaped generations. Reflecting on his early years, Rabbi Wein often remarked that when he received semicha, Orthodoxy was in such a fragile state that a professional path as a rabbi seemed almost unattainable. After a brief career as a lawyer, he committed to the rabbinate and Jewish education, building a six-decade career across America and Eretz Yisrael that contributed significantly to Orthodoxy’s revival.

In 1964, at just 30, Rabbi Wein assumed the rabbinate of Beth Israel Congregation in Miami Beach. By 38, he had become Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union. Following the untimely passing of Rabbi Alexander Rosenberg, z”l, one of his mentors, Rabbi Wein succeeded him as head of OU Kosher, a position he held for five years. He went on to found Congregation Bais Torah and Yeshiva Shaarei Torah in Monsey, serving as Rav and Rosh Yeshiva. Rabbi Wein also reinvigorated the study of Jewish history, delivering hundreds of pioneering lectures, among the first Torah recordings widely distributed to the public.

After “retiring” to Eretz Yisrael in 1997, Rabbi Wein became Rav of Beit Knesset Hanassi in Yerushalayim and a Rebbe in Yeshivas Ohr Somayach. He also launched the Destiny Foundation, producing films on Jewish history aimed at broad audiences. Over his lifetime, he authored numerous works on Talmud, Torah commentary, Jewish life, and history. Up until his passing, Rabbi Wein remained a prolific Torah teacher and writer, with thousands following his books and columns, and countless students seeking his guidance.

Rabbi Wein’s levaya will be held on Sunday morning at 9:30 am at Beit Knesset Hanassi in Yerushalayim, followed by kevurah on Har Hazeisim.