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VILNIUS—The Hebrew rabbinic ruling signed on 4 August 2026 by Rabbi Sariel Rosenberg, Chief Rabbinic Judge (Av Beis Din) of the Beis Din Tzedek, in Bnei Brak, Israel, was released for publication today by Jewish Heritage in Lita. The release came in the form of one PDF of the original Hebrew text, alongside another of the rabbinical court’s authorized English translation. This is the rabbinical court considered the highest, or one of the highest Orthodox rabbinical courts serving the international Litvish (Lithuanian tradition) sector of modern Haredi Jewish law and practice worldwide.

Rabbi Rosenberg’s views on the restoration of gravestones to the cemetery reconfirms in terms of the top rabbinical judge’s ruling the views expressed by Professor Sid (Shnayer) Leiman in a 2017 opinion article in Defending History.

The full text of the English translation of Rabbi Rosenberg’s ruling:

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Sariel Rosenberg
Chief Rabbinical Judge (Av Beis Din), Rabbinical Court — Bnei Brak
Rabbi of the Ramat David (Pardes Berman) District, Bnei Brak

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BS”D [With the Help of Heaven], 21st of Av, 5786 [=3/4 August 2026]

Regarding the matter of the Old Jewish Cemetery in Šnipiškės, Vilnius, which the wicked regime desecrated by uprooting all the gravestones and erecting buildings over part of it, and now, through effort and intervention with the [current] government, they have recognized this site as a holy place upon which building is prohibited.

The question was raised whether gravestones should be returned to this site—so that all may see that it is a cemetery—or whether this should be avoided.

In my opinion, it is certainly permissible and appropriate to return to the site gravestones that were uprooted, and all the more so if it is possible to approximate placing a gravestone in the location where it originally stood. This measure will further serve to preserve the sanctity of the site.

And on this I sign,

Sariel Rosenberg

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The original Hebrew ruling in Rabbi Rosenberg’s hand:

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