BIO
Born in Israel on December 1982, Binyamin Rachmanov came to New York with his parents, Eliyahu Rachmanov and Bella Shimonov. Binyamin's father, Eliyahu, was born in Bukhara, a maternal grandson of "Aboche Kalantarov." Eliyahu's paternal grandfather, Rachamim, was murdered by Islamic extremists in Bukhara. Eliyahu's father, Ariyeh, was left to fend for himself, establishing a family of over ten children who live in Israel with his second wife, Hana. May she rest in peace; Grandmother Hana was an extremely righteous woman. She would never eat meat or chicken unless she saw a certified shochet perform the ritual slaughter in front of her eyes, and even with such regard, she never ate red meat.
Bella Shimonov, daughter of Amnun Shimonov and Rosa Abramov, was originally from Samarqand but grew up in Dushanbe. Amnun Shimonov was the son of Mulo Binyamin Serdone, after whom Rabbi Rachmanov was named. His grandfather Amnun repeatedly mentioned how proud his grandfather, Baruch Eroni, was from Iran (the name Eroni means "from Iran“).
Rabbi Rachmanov's father, Eliyahu, who served in the Russian Communist army and the Israeli Defense Forces, brought his family to New York in 1985. He immigrated to the States in search of more significant opportunities for his family. Although they were not religiously educated in Judaism as they are today. Both Rabbi Binyamin's parents decided that their children would have to be in a Yeshiva environment no matter sacrifices that entailed financially (and yes, the sacrifices were very high). To this day, Rabbi Binyamin admits that if his parents had not invested in a Yeshiva education for their children, their financial situation would be ten times better. But because it would have been at the expense of their Neshama, it wasn't even a question; this shows the high value they placed on Torah education.
Rabbi Rachmanov started his education at 5 years old in Yeshiva Tiferet Moshe and Ateret Yaakov. Receiving Hinuch Guidance of Rabbanim who learned in Yeshiva Torah Vedas, Yeshiva Haim Berlin, and Yeshiva Hafetz Haim. Reminiscing over one of his fondest memories from that time, he remembers that the Rosh Yeshiva Harav Alter Chanoch Henoch Leibowitz Zatzal would come to pray the Shacharit Morning service with the elementary school children. At many times he had Zechuth to pray beside him. Rabbi Rachmanov was also strongly influenced by Rabbi Kasier Shlita & Rabbi Hauben Zatazal during his Elementary career. Rabbi Rachmanov was accepted to Yeshivat Ateres Yaakov, where he learned with Rabbi Yehuda Horowitz, Rabbi Leibe Wolf, Rabbi Mordechai Brownstein, Rabbi Elisha Sandler, and Rabbi Manoach Gelbfish. His English teachers made a big impression on him, as they emphasized the need to understand the American culture and the importance of the arts and science. He especially appreciated his studies in Global History and American History. When asked why he considers these studies so necessary, Rabbi Binyamin quotes the Great Rabbi Eliyahu, the Gaon of Vilna, “To the extent that one lacks knowledge of the Seven Pearls of Wisdom, he will lack one-hundred-fold in the wisdom of the Torah. And to the extent that the Torah sages attain knowledge of the underlying principles of nature, they will increase their understanding of the Torah one-hundred-fold.” Rabbi Rachmanov authored his first Sefer at the age of 15 and published his first Sefer when he was around 20 years old. Since then he has published over a dozen Sefarim, and is an avid collector of rare Sefarim. At the age of 24 Rabbi Rachmanov published his second Sefer the first English translated Sephardic Haggada.
Immediately after he graduated from High School, at the age of 18 Rabbi Rachmanov spent several months learning by Rabbi Mordechai Ben Haim Shlita and attending Shiurim by Rabbi Aharon Walkin Zatzal. He also ventured to learn several months by Rabbi Zecharia Meins Zatzal in Yeshivat Chofetz Chaim, which he says was perhaps one of the most critical periods of study that he had ever experienced. Throughout his childhood and adolescence, Rabbi Rachmanov was strongly influenced and guided by his cousin Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Nerya Aminov Shlita. He instilled in him a love of the study of Mussar and showed him in all other aspects of Torah Study — Gemara, Humash, and Rashi and much more.
In 2004 Rabbi Rachmanov felt that he lacked in his spiritual independence. After learning IYUN with Rabbi Yitzchak Wise (Rabbi Wise is known by the community as an Amkan Gadol, Rabbi Aharon Walkin Zatzal was know to admire him greatly.) for over a year, he felt the need to grow in the Study of Halacha.
He searched for a teacher and found Morenu V'Rabenu Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Haim Shlita. Regarding his studies under the Rabbi, Rabbi Rachmanov says, "What I learned with my Rabbi, Rebbe Eliyahu Ben Haim, would take thirty years under any other teacher." Rabbi Rachmanov stood by his side every day in a study for four hours a day, for six years straight. During this tenure with Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Haim Shlita, Rabbi Rachmanov covered all sections of Shulchan Aruch, learning all the critical fundamental points of Halacha. And has apprenticed, i.e., Shimush with Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Haim Shlita with over 300 Divorce cases and dozens of Marriages. Not only did he study by him he was the official secretary of the Bet Din for over 6 years. He had also established the for the first time a digital learning system catered specific to Rabbi Ben Haim level of Bikiyut. In the day to day learning Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Haim with Rabbi Rachmanov would surf through at least 200 Mareh Mekomot a day. As time went on in 2010, Rabbi Rachmanov pursued his career in Graphic Design, Book Publishing, and Real Estate and is a successful entrepreneur. He is also independently employed as CEO with his technologies company “iShook Inc.”.
At the same time between 2013 till current, he continues his Halacha studies by learning with Rabbi Hanan Kablan Shlita in the way of Iyun and providing an expanded structure of learning and understanding. He was awarded ordination as a Dayan by Rabbi Hanan Kablan Shlita, who is a sitting Dayan of Ramat Gan & Bnei Brak (brother-in-law of the Great Rosh Yeshiva of Kisey Rachamim, Rabbi Meir Mazuz Shlita, and son-in-law of Gadol Hador Rabbi Matzliach Mazuz Zatzal). This Pursuit was vital for him to expand his horizons, and what better place is there than Rabbinical leaders in Israel.
Further, Rabbi Rachmanov obtained his ordination as a Rabbinical Judge (Laws of Gittin) from Chief Dayan of Jerusalem Rabbi Eliyahu Abergel Shlita, who fully supports the established New York Beth Din "Hok Natan" by Rabbi Rachmanov, which was also co-supported by Rosh Yeshiva Gadol Hador Rabbi Meir Mazuz Shlita. At the time with Rabbi Abergel Shlita, Rabbi Rachmanov studied under him and has apprenticed, i.e., Shimush matter of Gittin. His experience in learning and influence by Rabbi Abergel is unparalleled with a seasoned Dayan and Posek Hador. It is beyond Mazal and is Godsend to have the Merit to study and apprentice under Morenu Verabenu Ravad Deyerushalim Harav Eliyahu Abergel Shlita. Rabbi Abergel has publicly stated (recording available) that he relies on Rabbi Rachmanov one hundred percent. He received Rabbinical Ordination from Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Dovid Lau Shlita. Rabbi Rachmanov has become the first Generation Bukhrian Jew in New York, ordained as a Rabbinical Judge. Rabbi Yuval Noff Shlita was the first Bukharian in America to receive ordination as a Rabbinical Judge who also happens to be the first Bukharian Rabbi in New York. And preceded him in New York was Chief Rabbi Harav Yitzchak Yehoshua Shlita.
Rabbi Rachmanov established a Bukharian Sephardic Center on Main Street, Flushing, Queens, in 2007 and continues to run it with Rabbi Hanan Kablan direction and Ravad Rabbi Eliyahu Abergel. Establishing himself as a recognized Rabbi of the Bukharian Community for over 15 years. After years of experience of being a Torah Educator for all types of people (religious and non-religious), Rabbi Rachmanov says, "The balance between following the Torah, and at the same time accommodating people's needs and their opinions, is outstanding. Unfortunately, many people forget and misunderstand how to maintain that balance.” Rabbi Rachmanov’s success with the community has been always his financial independence and his transparency with the people.
In this current year, 5782 Rabbi Rachmanov has authored his first Responsa Sefer called "Binyamin Tzair" which he has received Haskamot, i.e., approbations and letters of blessing from Rabbinical Leaders; Rabbi Eliyahu Abergel Shlita, Rabbi Dovid Yosef Shlita, Rabbi Hanan Kablan Shlita, Rabbi Yuval Noff Shlita, Rabbi Yitzchak Yehoshua Shlita, Rabbi Ehud Turgeman Shlita, Rabbi Sholom Ber Shlita, Rabbi Yitzchak Abaye Shlita, Rabbi Aharon Chen Shlita.
Rabbi Rachmanov has in a recent couple of years continued his learning and Shimush with Rabbi Eliyahu Abergel Shlita and Rabbi Areyah Ralbag Shlita, with establishing his Bet Din Hok Natan, New York Bet Din since 5777, it is imperative never to conclude one studies. But to continuously expand and collaborate in Torah with your peers.
