Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. Rabbi Bernstein received semicha from Rabbi Leib Gurwitz of Gateshead Yeshiva. He also graduated from trinity College, Dublin with a masters degree in Mathematics.

He served as rabbi in Terenure Congregation, Dublin (1967-71), Hampstead Garden Suburb, London (1972-77), Jewish Center, New York (1977-81), Finchley, London from 1981 until his untimely death in 1994, aged 54.

Rabbi Bernstein was known as outstanding orator and talmid chacham of great breadth, gave hugely popular shiurim in Chumash which were attended by hundreds of people, recordings of which are played to this day in all corners of the globe.