(The Steipler Gaon). Measef Torani Masoreth. Volume 12.

R. Ya’akov Yisrael Kanievsky (1899-1985), was known as the “Steipeler Gaon” after his hometown of Hornosteipel in the Ukraine. He briefly served as Rosh Yeshivah of the Novardok Yeshivah before he settled in Bnei Brak where he devoted himself entirely to an uninterrupted life of study. Renowned both for his Talmudic genius, as witnessed in the many volumes of Kehilath Ya’akov on the Talmud, and his piety, many sought out his blessings. He yielded enormous influence and yet held no official office.