Isser Yehuda Unterman

Rabbi Isser Yehuda Unterman (* 1886 in Brest- Litovsk, Russian Empire; † January 26, 1976 in Jerusalem) was from 1964 to 1972 the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel.

Unterman was at Brest- Litovsk, which is today in Belarus and former long belonged to Lithuania, was born and educated in the Etz Chaim Yeshiva in - Malse. He was also a pupil of his Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Shimon Schkop. He then returned to Lithuania back to complete his studies, was ordained by Rabbi Raphael Shapira in Waloschyn a rabbi and opened in 1910 his own yeshiva in Wischnewa. Unterman served until 1924 in the Lithuanian Jewish community in various positions, he was elected chief rabbi of Liverpool, where he worked for 22 years. He was an important figure in the English Zionist movement and supported during the Second World War in England refugees.

After the death of Rabbi Moshe Avigdor Amiel in 1946 was Unterman Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, was appointed Chief Rabbi of Israel, 20 years later. In this position, Unterman worked to reform the rabbinic court system and to achieve secular Israelis. Besides, he wrote responsa on various religious and halachic issues that were relevant to the young Jewish state, for example, conversion, marriage and divorce, or even heart transplants and other organ donations. The latter he supported:

" After all, weighty Torah Prohibitions are set aside for the preservation of life. HENCE, seeking surgical procedures Conducted to save a life are absolutely permitted. "