Interview With R’ Aryeh Kanievsky – Preserving Rav Chaim zt”l’s Legacy

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com

Reb Aryeh Kanievsky shlita is the grandson of Rav Chaim zt�l, and spent many hours each day being meshamesh him.� He learned in the Ponevech Yeshiva under Rav Gershon Edelstein and under Rav Boruch Dov Povarsky. He also runs the amutah established by Rav Chaim l�zaicher nishmas his grandmother.

YH: HaMakom yenachem eschem besoch sh�ar avlei tzion viyerushalayim.� The loss of the Gadol HaDor is very tragic.� What is the family planning to do as a zchus for his neshama?

RAK:� The best thing to do is to follow precedent.� What did Maran do after his own aishes Chayil passed away?� He established shiurim l�zaicher nishmasa in both Torah and in the study of mussar.� He said, �Boruch Hashem, Torah we have � but we do need to be mechazaik the learning of mussar.�

After consulting with Gedolei Torah, the family came to the conclusion that we should rededicate the Mussar-promoting organization, Orchos Yosher to be l�zaicher nishmas both Rebbitzen Bas-Sheva Esther a�h as well as Maran zt�l.� The zeide�s mussar sefer, �Orchos Yosher� is a very good medium on which to do this.� At the shivah, Rav Gershon Edelstein shlita said that the biggest zchus is to learn from his seforim.

YH: How many shiurei mussar are being taught now throughout eretz Yisroel?

RAK:� There are boruch hashem over 800 daily mussar shiurim now.� We hope to also launch the shiurim in chutz la�aretz too.� Both Torah and mussar.� And to increase the learning and teaching even more.� There is no z�chus like zikkui harabbim.

YH:� Who are you planning to teach the shiurim in chutz la�aretz?

RAK:� We are still in the planning stage and have not fully worked that part out.� We will know more after the shiva.

YH:� What other plans are on the table?

RAK:� There is also a plan to revamp the English language website Orchotyosher.org in order to make more of Rav Chaim�s Torah, halachos, hashkafos, and observations, available to the general public.� This should be available within a week or two�s time and is a project that will be gradually added to more and more.� There will also be a button to ask shailos and aitzos of Mori v�avi (Maran zatzal�s son, Rav Avrohom Yishayahu Kanievsky shlita).

YH:� Much hatzlacha.