In his youth Yehuda Gershuni was known in the Yeshiva world as Yudel Grodner (Yehuda of Grodno). The name stuck even after he had published articles and books under the name Yehuda Gershuni.
In his hometown Grodno he studied with Rabbi Sheimon Shkop and then, for many years, with Rabbi Boruch Ber Leibowitz in Kamenetz. he was known as an Illui (a prodigy). Prominent rabbis who met him marveled at his wide erudition and sharp mind.
When he told Rabb Hayyim Ozer Grodzinski that he wanted to continue his studies in Jerusalem, Rabbi Hayyim Ozer told him to remain in Poland and to serve as Rosh Yeshiva. “We need you here,” he said.
Rabbi Yehuda Gershoni arrived in Jerusalem in 1933, armed with a strong letter of recommendation by Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz in Kamenetz. Soon after his arrival in the Holy City he visited Jerusalem’s leading rabbis, who enjoyed discussing Torah with the young Illui. Gershuni studied at the Yeshiva of Rabbi Kook and was a steady Sabbath guest at his home. Rabbi Kook befriended him, talked with him extensively about Torah matters, and studied with him.
Rabbi Gershuni was very much impressed with Rabbi Kook’s personality and ideas. He is reported to have said: I have personally known Lithuania’s great rabbis who were like angels – Rabbi Boruch Ber Leibowitz, Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinksi and the Hafetz Hayyim. The only one I knew who was blessed with Ruach HaKodesh was Rabbi A.I. HaKohen Kook, not because he was greater, but in the merit of his residing in the Land of Israel.”
The first book he published was Hukkat HaPesach on Maimonides Hilkhot Korban Pesah. It was extraordinarily well received in the Torah world and he was asked to compile a Shittah Mekubbetzet on Tractate Pesahim. The Shitah Mekubetzzet which featured explanations, views and comments by early and later Halakhic authorities, and to which were attached novella by Rabbi Yehuda Gershuni was reprinted several times.
Around 1950 Rabbi Gershuni who after the death of his first wife had married a daughter of Rabbi Eliezer Silver, moved for personal reasons to New York. There he established and headed Yeshivat Eretz Yisrael and continued publishing Divrei Torah and Halakhic essays.
The language of instruction in his Yeshiva was Hebrew. In addition to Gemara, Tanakh with commentaries was taught there. They also studied “Jewish Thought” (the works of the medieval Jewish philosophers, the books of the Maharal of Prague and R. Moshe Hayyim Luzzatto, and the writings of Rabbi Kook. During the weeks of Ellul they added Rabbi Kook’s Orot HaTeshuva).
Rabbi Gershuni lectured at Mizrachi conferences and conclaves. He contributed essays to various Torah journals, such as “HaPardes” and “Or HaMizrach.” In many of his writings he discussed contemporary problems relating to the State of Israel and Israeli authorities.
Following his return to Israel he lectured at various Yeshivot and Kollelim and engaged in literary activities. He died after a prolonged illness in the winter of 2000 when he was over ninety years old.
His published books include Mishpat HaMelukha on Maimonides Hilkhot Melahkim, Hok U’Mishpat, a collection of reflections and Halakhic essays, which he dedicated to the memory of his daughter Tzipporah, who died at the young age of forty-one, and Sha’arei Tzedek, sermons and reflections.
Recently the Ariel United Israel Institutes, which are presided over by Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, the Chief Rabbi of Haifa, published a book in memory of Yehuda Gershuni, containing articles by Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Rabbi Zalman Druk, Rabbi Yitzhak Shilat, Rabbi Yitzhak Lerner, Mr. Moshe Krone and Rabbi Moshe Zevi Neriyah. A second section provides a list of Rabbi Gershuni’s books and articles. (The bibliography could also have noted Rabbi Gershuni’s contributions to the Talmudic Encyclopedia.) It mentions Hiddushei Torah by Rabbi Gershuni which have not yet been published (the Ariel Institutes plan to publish a special volume of Rabbi Gershuni’s writings which have hitherto remained in manuscript.) Another section contains essays and articles by twenty rabbis, admirers, friends and students of Rabbi Gershuni. They include Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, Rabbi Hayyim Druckman, Rabbi Nahum Rabinovits, Prof. Nahum Rakover, Rabbi Dr. Aaron Lichtenstein and Rabbi Avraham Elkana Cahana Shapira.
The Jewish Press, Friday, April 29, 2005