Yaakov Weinberg

Rabbi (Shmuel) Yaakov Weinberg (1923-1999) was the rosh yeshiva of a major American yeshiva, Ner Israel in Baltimore, Maryland. He died on the 17th of Tammuz.

As a child, Rabbi Weinberg spent three years in Israel. Back in America, he attended Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, and later Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Berlin where he studied under Rabbi Yitzchok Hutner.

In 1945, Rabbi Weinberg became married to Chana Ruderman, the only child of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman, founder of Ner Israel Yeshiva.

In 1964, Rabbi Weinberg went to the branch of Ner Israel in Toronto where he served as dean until 1971. He then returned to Baltimore and became rosh yeshiva in 1987 upon the death of his father-in-law Rabbi Ruderman. All told, he served on the Ner Israel faculty for nearly 50 years.

Rabbi Weinberg was regarded as a master logician, with broad knowledge and depth in all aspects of Jewish law and philosophy. He was also a sought-after counselor, involved in hundreds of private and public issues and concerns within the Jewish people. He is perhaps best known for his uncompromising commitment to truth.

Rabbi Noach Weinberg, his younger brother, is the founder and rosh yeshiva of Aish HaTorah. His uncle, Rabbi Avraham Weinberg, was leader of the Slonim (Hasidic dynasty).