Yosef Eliyahu Henkin

Biography

Rabbi Yosef Eliyahu Henkin was a scholar of deep humility, studying in Europe before settling in the United States, where he became a beloved halakhic authority known for both his rigorous learning and his tender concern for people’s everyday struggles. He headed rabbinical courts and served congregations while mentoring students and offering guidance on complex matters of Jewish law.

He helped refugees, supported charitable institutions, and wrote responsa that balanced tradition with compassion, and he now rests at Beth David Cemetery, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and pastoral care that continues to shape American Jewish life.