Israel Gutwirth

Zorach Warhaftig, born in 1906 in the Russian Empire, was a rabbi, lawyer, and politician who played a significant role in the establishment and early development of the State of Israel. He pursued legal studies at the University of Warsaw and later earned a Doctor of Law from the Hebrew University. During World War II, Warhaftig was instrumental in convincing Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara to issue transit visas, a critical act that saved many lives. He and his family eventually traveled to Japan and then to Canada before immigrating to Mandatory Palestine in 1947.

Upon arriving in Palestine, Warhaftig joined the religious-Zionist Hapoel HaMizrachi party. He was elected to Israel's first Knesset in 1949 and served in various ministerial roles, including Deputy Minister of Religions and later Minister of Religions. He was a key figure in shaping Israeli law, notably authoring the country's Law of Return. Warhaftig also taught Jewish Law at the Hebrew University and held leadership positions in academic institutions. He received the Israel Prize in 1983 for his contributions to Hebrew law and was recognized by the city of Jerusalem.

In the tumultuous early days of World War II, Zorach Warhaftig, alongside others, played a crucial role in persuading Japanese Vice-Consul Chiune Sugihara to issue transit visas. This action, facilitated by Dutch consul Jan Zwartendijk and potentially Dutch ambassador L. P. J. de Decker, allowed numerous individuals, including the students of the Mir Yeshiva, to escape Nazi persecution. Warhaftig himself received a Sugihara visa, which provided an official travel destination that enabled the issuance of Japanese transit visas. This effort, along with the modifications made to visa wording by de Decker, is credited with saving thousands of lives. In 1940, Warhaftig and his family embarked on a journey eastward from Lithuania, traveling through Japan and eventually arriving in Canada. He later described the journey, while appearing distant from the war, as being burdened by a sense of responsibility to assist other Jewish refugees.

Following his immigration to Mandatory Palestine in 1947, Warhaftig became actively involved in religious-Zionist politics. He joined the Hapoel HaMizrachi party and, in 1949, was elected to the inaugural Knesset as part of the United Religious Front. During his extensive political career, he served as Deputy Minister of Religions and later as Minister of Religions, holding this position for many years. He was also a professor of Jewish Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem from 1948 to 1963. A significant legislative achievement attributed to Warhaftig is his authorship of Israel's Law of Return, a foundational piece of legislation that defines eligibility for immigration to Israel. He retired from the Knesset in 1981.

Beyond his political endeavors, Zorach Warhaftig made substantial contributions to the academic and legal spheres. He held a professorship in Jewish Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for over a decade. Later in his career, he became chairman of the curatorium of Bar-Ilan University. His work on Hebrew law was recognized with the prestigious Israel Prize in 1983. Warhaftig also authored numerous works exploring various aspects of Jewish law, state, and religion, reflecting his deep engagement with these intertwined subjects. The Dr. Zerah Warhaftig Institute for Research on Religious Zionism at Bar Ilan University stands as a testament to his enduring legacy in the field of Religious Zionism.