Harav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg ( חיים פנחס שיינברג) (October 1910 – 20 March 2012) was a distinguished Polish-born, American-raised, Israeli Charedi Rav and Rosh Yeshiva. Regarded as a Posek and Gadol HaDor, he epitomized the legacy of Torah scholars from prewar Europe, embodying a wealth of wisdom and insight. Renowned for his expertise, he was a trusted authority on a myriad of halachic matters, sought out for his counsel by many. Additionally, he held a distinguished position as a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Israel. Serving as the Rosh Yeshiva of the Torah Ore Yeshiva in Kiryat Mattersdorf and Yeshivas Derech Chaim in Brooklyn, his teachings resonated with students worldwide, shaping the future of Torah scholarship.
He was born in Ostrov, Poland, the second son of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Scheinberg and Yuspa Tamback. In 1914, amid the turmoil of World War I, his father ventured to America to evade conscription into the Polish army. By 1919, Scheinberg's father had amassed sufficient funds to inaugurate a tailor shop, enabling his wife and children to join him in America. At the tender age of nine, Rav Scheinberg relocated to an apartment in the Lower East Side with his family.
Following a brief stint at public school, he transitioned to the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School. At the age of 14, under the counsel of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Herman, he embarked on a journey to Rabbi Yehuda Levenberg's Beis Medrash LeRabbonim Yeshiva in New Haven, Connecticut. Departing the Yeshiva at sixteen and a half, Scheinberg had delved deep into the comprehensive study of the Talmud. At 17, Scheinberg embarked on his educational journey at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Two years later, at 19, Rabbi Herman proposed that Rav Scheinberg marry his daughter Bessie, a suggestion the Scheinbergs embraced. Before the wedding, Rav Scheinberg obtained rabbinic ordination. Following their wedding, Rav Scheinberg and his wife relocated to Mir, Belarus, residing near a yeshiva. (Rav Scheinberg's time in Mir was also marked by the relocation of his wife's brother, Nochum Dovid, and his sister, Ruchoma See "All for the Boss")
While in Europe, Scheinberg expanded his knowledge at the Kaminetz yeshiva and obtained rabbinic ordination. Upon his return to America, an esteemed offer awaited him - the role of mashgiach ruchani (spiritual supervisor) at the Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens, established by Rabbi Dovid Leibowitz. For a remarkable 25 years, he gracefully fulfilled this position before embarking on a new journey to develop his yeshiva, Torah Ore. Concurrently, serving as the rabbi of Congregation Bakash Shalom Anshei Ostrov on the Lower East Side, Rav Scheinberg ardently delivered Torah lectures to the dynamic working men of the community.
In 1960, Rav Scheinberg took a monumental step by inaugurating the Torah Ore yeshiva in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. With an initial cohort of six students, the yeshiva burgeoned over time, attracting numerous local Sephardi boys seeking knowledge and guidance. The narrative took a compelling turn in 1963 when Bessie's sister Ruchoma embarked on a journey to Israel to visit their father. Witnessing the flourishing Haredi housing development in northern Jerusalem, known as Kiryat Mattersdorf, intrigued Bessie Scheinberg. Despite Rav Scheinberg's initial hesitations about relocating his family and yeshiva from America to Israel, a pivotal visit to the development convinced him otherwise. The Scheinbergs set their sights on Jerusalem, eventually transitioning in May 1965 with his family, students, and loved ones.
Post-war, plans materialized for a permanent abode for Torah Ore, culminating in its relocation to Kiryat Mattersdorf in 1971. The yeshiva proudly accommodates nearly 800 students, with over 500 dedicated kollel scholars enriching its scholarly ambiance.
Rav Scheinberg's rebbitzin Bessie played a pivotal role in her husband's endeavors, offering unwavering support to him and his students and welcoming numerous visitors into their homes, seeking her husband's wisdom. A telephone was even installed in their bedroom for round-the-clock accessibility. During the festive Simchat Torah, the lively scene of students escorting Scheinberg home while singing and dancing could be spotted from their sixth-floor apartment, where she observed. Upon his return, he would praise her for the joyous sight, attributing it all to her. Likewise, he would humbly offer her his seat in the yeshiva, acknowledging her significance.
Rav Scheinberg emerged as a prominent figure for Americans in Israel seeking advice on diverse matters, from child-rearing to neighborhood selection, spousal choices, health concerns, and routine halachic inquiries. His endorsement was highly sought after for various Hebrew and English halacha publications catering to adults and children.
Rav Scheinberg breathed his last at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem at the age of 101 on 20 March 2012 (27 Adar 5772) following a brief illness. A staggering 70,000 individuals paid their respects at his grand funeral, commencing from the Torah Ore yeshiva and culminating at the Mount of Olives. His legacy was carried forward by his sole heir, Rabbi Simcha Scheinberg, who assumed the role of rosh yeshiva at Torah Ore.