Rav Chaim Kanievsky zatza”l(1928-2022) was born in Pinsk to the famed Steipler Goan Rav Yaakov Yisroel Kanievsky. He moved to Palestine at six years old, eventually settling in Bnei Barak, never to leave Israel. As a youth his brilliance and unrelenting dedication to Torah were astounding, bringing his uncle the Chazon Ish to recognize him as the nation’s next Torah leader. Although Rav Chaim was universally accepted as the Gadol Hador he never held any formal position, rather dedicating his days to incessant Torah study, famously finishing the entirety of Torah every year. The Rav’s guidance and blessings were sought out globally, his few and terse words often bringing miraculous salvations.
The focus of this portrait, is the intimate closeness between the pious and the almighty. The Gadol Hador is depicted in devout service to his creator, for no other cause other than his intense love for Hashem.