He is the son of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky (1891–1986), one of America"s greatest Torah leaders. Prior to studying in Kotler"s Lakewood Yeshiva, Kamenetsky learned in Ner Israel Rabbinical College under the tutelage of his father"s cousin, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman.
He is one of the most widely known living Haredi Litvish Jewish gedolim outside of Israel. Kamenetsky was a primary student of Rabbi Aharon Kotler, from whom he received semicha (rabbinic ordination). In the mid-1950s, as part of the Lakewood Yeshiva"s effort to establish out-of-town yeshivas, Kamenetsky and Rabbi Dov Schwartzman were sent to found the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia.
In 1955, Schwartzman departed to open his yeshiva in Israel.
Kamenetsky then called upon Rabbi Elya Svei, to serve as co-rosh yeshiva. This arrangement continued until Svei"s death in March 2009.
His opinion is frequently sought and quoted on current issues such as same-sex attraction, child molestation, obesity and dieting, smoking, and drinking alcohol to excess on Purim. His approbation is also sought for Torah books in English.
Kamenetsky"s wife, Temi, the daughter of Chazzan Modche Brooks, grew up in the Boro Park and Williamsburg sections of Brooklyn, New New York
Their sons are Rabbi Sholom Kamenetsky, A Rosh Yeshiva at Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia. Rabbi Avrohom Kamenetsky, an instructor of Talmud at Yeshivas Bais Yisroel in Jerusalem. Dov Kamenetsky, a well-known philanthropist and real estate magnate in Toronto.
Rabbi Zave Kamenetsky of Lakewood, New Jersey, an instructor of Talmud at Belmar Yeshiva.
Rabbi Dovid Kamenetsky, an author/editor for the Schottenstein Talmud (published by Artscroll/Mesorah) in both the English edition and Hebrew edition and a Talmud instructor at Yeshivat Darche Noam in Jerusalem, Rabbi Aaron Kamenetsky and Eliyahu Kamenetsky.
Kamenetsky is a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudath Israel of America and serves on the rabbinical board of many organizations, including Chinuch Atzmai (Torah Schools for Israel), Torah Umesorah, the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation and the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals (AJOP).
