Radin Yeshiva

TheRadin Yeshiva,originally located inRadun,Vilna Governorate,Russian Empire(now inBelarus), was established by RabbiIsrael Meir Kagan(known as theChofetz Chaimafter the title of his well-knownsefer) in 1869. Because of its founder's nickname, the institution is often referred to asYeshiva Chofetz Chaimof Radin. Its successors officially adopted this name.

Building of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim, Radin

Origins

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan

Rabbi Moshe Landynski

Rabbi Hersh Leib Levinson

In 1869 when the Chofetz Chaim returned fromVasilishkito Radun his first action was to establish a group to whom he could spread the knowledge of Torah. The founding of the yeshiva is mentioned in one of the letters of the Chofetz Chaim:

"The beginning of the founding began from when I returned from the town of Vashilyshok...in the year 1869. Following my arrival in Raduń, the Almighty stirred my spirit to gather young students and scholars for the study of Torah..."

Although at the time Raduń was practically an isolated village, away from undesirable urban distractions and an ideal location for establishing a place of Torah study, living conditions were difficult. This meant that the chances of garnering enough local financial support to run a large and prosperous institution were low. This led the Chofetz Chaim to send some boys to other yeshivas, which also had better facilities, and keep the enrolment limited. The students of the yeshivas made do with sleeping on the benches in the study hall and were referred to as "perushim" because they separated themselves from worldly luxuries and immersed themselves in study of Torah. From the start meals weren't provided at the yeshiva and students were allocated to various homes in the village where they were given meals. It was when the Chofetz Chaim felt that this set up was not befitting of yeshiva students that he abolished the so-called "teg-essen"and went about arranging a house to house food collection. The collected food would then be distributed among the students. After some time a kitchen was opened by the wife of the Chofetz Chaim and she together with other women would collect provisions and cook meals which were served to the students in the yeshiva building.

The yeshiva remained small in number until 1883 when the Chofetz Chaim took on his son-in-law RabbiHersh Levinsonas an assistant to help carry the burden running the yeshiva. After his appointment, the yeshiva expanded and the conditions improved. In 1900 RabbiMoshe Landynski,an alumnus of theVolozhin Yeshiva,was appointedrosh yeshiva.At later stages two other deans were in turn appointed: RabbiYitzchak Maltzon,who eventually settled inJerusalem,and RabbiBaruch Ish Alaksot,who later became a rosh yeshiva inSlabodka Yeshiva.RabbiEliezer Lufetalso served asmashgiach ruchanifor a short period.

New yeshiva building

In 1904, after the influx of students, the localBeth midrashbecame too small to accommodate the yeshiva and a new building was constructed to house the college. However, as the years progressed, so did the student intake and with pupils now numbering in the hundreds, some were forced to study in the local synagogue. This set up was not favoured by the faculty who decided that a new, larger building, able to hold the entire student roll, was needed. And so it was, in 1912 that the original building was demolished to make way for a new edifice which would be big enough to contain all the students, which at the time exceeded 300. The Chofetz Chaim raised the 15,000rublesnecessary for the task and construction was finished in 1913. The finished building not only included a spacious study hall, but also dormitories, side rooms uses for various functions, a medical room and a library where thousands of volumes were kept.

World War I

Rabbi Naftoli Trop

In 1904 RabbiNaftoli Tropwas invited to take up the position as Rosh yeshiva. His appointment ushered in the yeshiva's "golden era". Under his guidance the yeshiva grew and during the 1920s became one of the largest in Europe. From 1907 until 1910 the Mashgiach ruchani was RabbiYeruchom Levovitzwho later joined theMir Yeshiva.

After the outbreak of war betweenGermanyandRussiain 1914, the Chofetz Chaim worried about the potential German occupation and the effect it would have on the yeshiva. There was also the threat of the town becoming severed from Russia and thus stemming its source of funding. In 1915 as the Russians retreated and the German army neared Raduń, the decision was taken that the yeshiva would be split into two parts. One would stay in Raduń and the second would move further inside Russia. Most of the students including the Chofetz Chaim, his son-in-law and Rabbi Trop left Raduń, while the minority remained with Rabbi Moshe Landynski and the Mashgiach ruchani RabbiYosef Leib Nendik.The second part of the yeshiva settled inSmilovitzin theProvince of Minsk.In 1916 a new refuge was sought as the battle-line drew closer and the yeshiva moved further into Russia, toShumyatzin theProvince of Mohilovand latter toSnovskin theProvince of Chernigov.German forces occupiedMinskin February 1918. It was a turbulent period with the authorities arresting students who were freed only after much effort and expense. With the rise of communism the situation was not set to improve. After the authorities made it impossible for the yeshiva to survive in Russia the yeshiva looked to Poland and towards Raduń. The move back to Raduń was hastened with the death of Rabbi Hersh Leib Levinson in 1921 after a short illness.

Return to Raduń

After encountering difficulties in obtaining permission to travel and cross the border into newly independent Poland, the yeshiva was delayed in Minsk for around two months. When permission was finally granted the yeshiva arrived inBaranowitzand where they stayed for a few days. In the spring of 1921 the yeshiva arrived back to Raduń. Rabbi Moshe Landynski was at the train station to greet the returnees. It was a joyous occasion, however their joy was short lived. When they arrived back at the yeshiva they found the inside of the building destroyed and abandoned. The Germans had confiscated the building for use as a horse stable and ammunition store, forcing the students to occupy the local Beth midrash. The windows were smashed and the furniture gone. The only option was to utilise the building as it stood and begin efforts to refurbish it. With time, the return of the yeshiva to it home endowed it with a new lease of life under the leadership of both Rabbi Naftoli Trop and Rabbi Moshe Landynski. Rabbi Levinson's son Yehoshua became supervisor and his son-in-law Eliezer Kaplan the Mashgiach ruchani.

With the passing of Rabbi Trop in 1928, the prominence of the yeshiva slowly diminished. Even with the appointment of two young Rosh yeshivas, RabbiBaruch Feivelson(Trop's son-in-law) and RabbiMendel Zaks(son-in-law of the Chofetz Chaim), the yeshiva would never fully regain its famed status.

Upon the death of Rabbi Baruch Feivelson in 1933, Rabbi Mendel Zaks became the sole Rosh yeshiva. Rabbi Avraham Trop also gave lectures in his fathers style which proved popular with the older students. The institution also included akollel,which focused on the study ofKodashim.RabbiElchonon Wassermanand RabbiYosef Shlomo Kahanemanwere among those who studied there.

Although the Chofetz Chaim rarely gave lectures in the yeshiva and never held the position of Rosh yeshiva, he was its driving force. When he died in 1933, the continued funding of the academy became an issue. Rabbi Moshe Landynski was forced to travel as far away asLondonto solicit funds. Rabbi Landynski himself died a few years later in 1938 aged 77.

World War II

With the outbreak ofWorld War IItheSoviet Uniontook Raduń. The majority of the yeshiva transferred toVilna,Lithuania,while a few remained behind in Raduń, including the Chofetz Chaim's nephew-in-law RabbiMordechai Dov Roitblatt,RabbiHillel Ginsburg,brother-in-law of Eliezer Zev Kaplan, and Rabbi Avraham Trop. When conditions in Vilna became too crowded, the yeshiva decided to split in two again, with one half locating toEishyshokunder Yehoshua Levinson and the other toOtian.When theSovietstook Lithuania, the yeshiva ceased functioning. Although much effort was made in trying to enable the yeshiva to escape, only a few individuals were able to obtain visas and emigrate.

Re-establishment

United States

After World War II, Rabbi Mendel Zaks re-established the yeshiva in theUnited States.He was later joined by his son RabbiGershon Zaks.Reb Gershon was a student of RabbiYitzchak Zev Soloveitchik,the "Brisker Rov". In the early 1960s the yeshiva moved toTallman, New York,(now part ofSuffern, New York). After the death of Rabbi Mendel Zaks in 1974, his son Rabbi Gershon Zaks inherited his position until his death in 1990.

Israel

The son of Rabbi Moshe Landynski settled inNetanya,Israelwhere he also established a yeshiva in memory of Radun. In 2005, it had a student roll of 100 boys aged 17–22. The current rosh yeshiva is RabbiMenachem Dan Meisels,a student of RabbiBaruch Mordechai Ezrachi.The yeshiva's ethos reflects theSlabodkaapproach.

Radun

The yeshiva building today

The former Yeshiva building in Radun housed a theatre and a bar for many years, and as of 2018, is in a general state of disrepair. Plans are being made to renovate the building and to have it restored as a yeshiva for students from Russia and Israel.

Notable alumni

• RabbiMeyer Abovitz
• RabbiSamuel Belkin
• RabbiJ. David Bleich
• RabbiYerucham Gorelik
• RabbiYosef Shlomo Kahaneman
• RabbiDovid Leibowitz
• RabbiYechezkel Levenstein
• RabbiNaftoli Shapiro
• RabbiElchonon Wasserman
• RabbiGershon Yankelewitz
• RabbiMordechai Savitsky

See also

• Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim: Rabbinical Seminary of America