A Mother's Determination: How the Kopshitz Family Raised Generations of Torah Scholars

On the tombstone of the righteous Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Kopshitz, it is written: "Who raised his children in Torah amid hardship, through prayers and fasts." That inscription isn’t just poetic, it's the simple truth. The Kopshitz family grew to include great Torah scholars and spiritual leaders: Rabbi Avraham Kopshitz shlita, rabbi of the Neve Tzvi neighborhood in Jerusalem and a teacher at the Kochav MiYaakov-Tshebein Yeshiva; Rabbi Yisrael Aharon Kopshitz shlita, teacher at the Torah Ohr Yeshiva; Rabbi Yosef Chaim Kopshitz shlita, teacher at the Porat Yosef Yeshiva in the Old City of Jerusalem; Rabbi Moshe Pinchas Kopshitz, rabbi of the “Chanichei HaYeshivot” community in Romema and teacher at Kol Yaakov Yeshiva; Rabbi Yaakov Zeev Kopshitz, teacher at Or Elchanan Yeshiva; and Rabbi Natan Kopshitz shlita, rabbi of the Nachala UMenucha neighborhood in Beit Shemesh. Their son-in-law is none other than the great Torah leader Rabbi Nissim Karelitz, along with other sons-in-law who are also outstanding Torah scholars.

How did one family raise so many Torah leaders? Rabbi Yisrael Aharon Kopshitz shared his reflections in an interview with the “Shabbat Kodesh” section of Yated Ne’eman.

"In our generation, people like to hear about one dramatic, extraordinary deed," Rabbi Kopshitz begins. "Something heroic or a powerful blessing from a great rabbi and they say, ‘That’s why it worked out for them. I didn’t get a blessing or have that kind of moment, so I can’t expect the same results.’"

"But that’s not the real story," he says. "The truth is, our parents succeeded because they poured their whole hearts into raising us. It wasn’t about a one-time action. It was about daily, steady effort, year after year. Their approach had two main ingredients: first, a consistent, focused investment in our education, not once a week or during big events, but every single day, all day long. And second, the joyful atmosphere they created at home. They truly believed in us and gave us constant encouragement. That made all the difference."

Rabbi Kopshitz shared four powerful memories that bring this parenting approach to life:

1. A Week in the Home of the Chazon Ish

The Kopshitz family received an incredible honor: they were invited to stay for an entire week in the home of the Chazon Ish, one of the greatest Torah sages of the generation. This was a rare privilege, it seems no other entire family had ever done so.

During that week, the mother of the family had a chance to witness the spiritual greatness of the Chazon Ish up close. The door to his home never stopped moving and people from all walks of life came in with worry and questions and left with clarity and peace, having received a bracha (blessing) from this holy man.

The mother decided to ask for a blessing herself. She approached the Chazon Ish and said, “Please bless me too.” He asked, “What would you like a blessing for?” She answered simply, “That my children should understand Torah, and that they should want to learn.”

The Chazon Ish responded, “That they should understand? I can bless you for that. But for them to want to learn that depends on the mother. If you want it, then they will want it.”

Rabbi Kopshitz emphasized this line: “The desire depends on the mother.”

2. The Power of a Young Woman’s Prayer

Rabbi Kopshitz continued, “My father learned in the elite Slabodka Yeshiva after it moved to Chevron. My mother was fortunate to become engaged to him. After the engagement, people wondered what special merit helped her receive such a wonderful match. Some said it was the merit of her grandfather, the holy Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld. Others said it was her father, Rabbi Shmuel Hillel Sheinker, a great teacher of Mussar (Jewish character development).”

“But Rabbi Yosef Chaim himself said something else: ‘It’s her own merit. She stood and prayed from the depths of her heart that she would be worthy of a husband like this and her prayers were answered.’”

3. A Home Built on Torah and Love

The Kopshitz household revolved around Torah learning and a deep love for it. When one of the sons began slacking in his studies, the family responded with seriousness and heart. The mother immediately took off her jewelry and didn’t wear it again. The father fasted that day, pouring out his soul in prayer that the boy would return to his learning. Life didn’t just go on as usual, everything stopped.

The boy saw the sorrow and concern in his parents’ eyes, and that alone inspired him to return to his learning with renewed strength.

At the same time, when a child brought home a good report or shared a clever Torah question he had asked in class, joy filled the house. Everyone celebrated, father, mother, siblings, everyone took part in that happiness.

4. A Mother’s Bold Decision to Close the Store

One day, one of the children stayed home from school, saying he was sick. His mother took him with her to the store she managed. The child was fascinated by the register and the merchandise and he loved the world of business. The next day, he again said he wasn’t feeling well and stayed home.

His mother saw what was happening. It wasn’t a physical illness instead, her son had simply fallen in love with the world of money and sales. That very day, she made a decision: she closed the store.

It was a big sacrifice because the store provided their income. But to her, Torah came first. As our Sages say, Talmud Torah k’neged kulam, “Torah study is equal to them all.”

Despite the family’s joy, optimism, and warmth, there was a quiet, unwavering firmness when it came to Torah and mitzvot (commandments). They were ready to give up anything to ensure their children stayed on the path of Torah.

Courtesy of the Dirshu website.