Posted on 08/17/25
The Orthodox Union joins with Klal Yisrael in mourning the loss of Rabbi Berel Wein, zt”l.
Rabbi Wein was a uniquely impactful Rav whose work, perspective, and voice profoundly influenced generations of Orthodox Jewry. Rabbi Wein would often note that when he received semicha to become a rabbi, Orthodoxy was in such a state of decline that a professional career in the Orthodox rabbinate was considered a pipe dream. Nevertheless, after a brief stint as a lawyer, Rabbi Wein embarked on a multi-faceted career as a rabbi and educator in America and Israel that spanned six decades and contributed significantly to Orthodoxy’s rebirth.
In 1964, at the age of 30, Rabbi Wein became the rabbi of Beth Israel Congregation in Miami Beach, and at 38 he became the executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union. Shortly thereafter, following the sudden passing of Rabbi Alexander Rosenberg, zt”l, one of Rabbi Wein’s mentors, he replaced him at the helm of OU Kosher, a position he occupied for five years. He founded Congregation Bais Torah and Yeshiva Shaarei Torah in Monsey, serving as Rav and Dean. He literally revived the popular study of Jewish history through a pioneering series of hundreds of lectures on the topic, one of the first sets of widely distributed Torah recordings. He “retired” to Israel in 1997, becoming Rav of the Beit Knesset Hanassi in Jerusalem, a Rebbe in Yeshivat Ohr Somayach, and launching the Destiny Foundation, producing high quality films on Jewish history for a wide audience. Along the way Rabbi Wein published several serious works on Talmudic topics, and a shelf full of works on Torah commentary, Jewish life and history. Until the end, he continued to be a prolific writer and teacher of Torah whose books and columns were read by thousands and whose insight and wisdom were sought out and treasured.
We mourn the passing of this unique Rav, educator, and communal leader and will remain forever indebted to him both for his enduring impact on Klal Yisrael and for his lifelong support and involvement in the work of the Orthodox Union.
Rabbi Wein’s levaya will take place Sunday morning, August 17, at 9:30 am at Beit Knesset Hanassi in Jerusalem, followed by burial on Har HaZeitim.
Shiva will take place at 15/3 Sderot Ben Maimon, Yerushalayim.
Visiting Hours:
From Monday, August 18, through Thursday, August 21.
9:00 am-1:00 pm
2:00 pm-9:00 pm
Friday, August 22, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
בִּלַּ֤ע הַמָּ֙וֶת֙ לָנֶ֔צַח וּמָחָ֨ה ד' א' דִּמְעָ֖ה מֵעַ֣ל כל־פָּנִ֑ים וְחֶרְפַּ֣ת עַמּ֗וֹ יָסִיר֙ מֵעַ֣ל כל־הָאָ֔רֶץ כִּ֥י ד' דִּבֵּֽר
May death be destroyed forever and may Hashem wipe the tears away from all faces and put an end to the shame of His people throughout the earth