A Leader of Wisdom: Rabbi Elyashiv, zt"l, Passed Away

He was born to parents who waited many years for a child. He was their only son. Remarkably, Rabbi Elyashiv never attended a formal yeshiva, yet he rose to become the leading Torah authority through his personal commitment to Torah study. Unique in his ways, Rabbi Elyashiv would sleep only 3 hours a day, from 11:00 pm to 2:00 am, dedicating the rest of his time to Torah and distancing himself from worldly distractions.

Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv was recognized as the dominant leader of the Lithuanian-Orthodox community, known for his halachic rulings and extensive knowledge. During his life, he served as a dayan (rabbinical judge) in the Rabbinical Court of Jerusalem and the Supreme Rabbinical Court, briefly as a rabbi in Ramla, and as a rabbi of the synagogue "Tiferet Bachurim" in the Mea Shearim neighborhood. Following the passing of Rabbi Elazar Menachem Shach, zt"l, Rabbi Elyashiv assumed leadership of Israel's Haredi Jewish community and became the final authority for the "Degel HaTorah" party, influencing many political issues.

Rabbi Elyashiv's name is linked to other major spiritual figures through his sons-in-law, such as Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, and Rabbi Azriel Auerbach.

Rabbi Elyashiv himself was born into a distinguished family. His grandfather was Rabbi Shlomo Elyashiv, known by his work "Leshem Shevo v'Achlamah" on Kabbalah, one of the leading Kabbalists of the previous generation. An intriguing story about his mother, Chaya Musha, reflects her righteousness. Here is how it went.

In Lithuania, Rabbi Elyashiv's parents, Rabbi Avraham and his wife, sought the advice of a renowned non-Jewish professor in Vilna after years of longing for a child. The professor unequivocally declared that they had no chance of having children.

Chaya Musha, who would later become Rabbi Elyashiv's mother, returned home ready to burst into tears. Seeing her father learning Torah, she didn't want to disturb him, so she went to the barn and there cried her heart out. When she returned, her father, the great Rabbi Shlomo, asked her why she cried. Upon hearing her story, he assured her that she would have offspring.

"A Grandson Who Will Be a Giant in His Generation"

A year later, on the first of Nisan, 1910, a son was born to the Elyashiv family, named Yosef Shalom. On his eighth day, his overjoyed grandfather, Rabbi Shlomo, sent a letter to the Chofetz Chaim: "I deserve congratulations," he wrote, "I have a grandson, and from his countenance, I see that he will be one of the greats of his generation."

And so it was.

Rabbi Elyashiv rose to greatness in Torah, marrying at age 20 to the daughter of Rabbi Aryeh Levine, known as "the Rabbi of the Prisoners." His match and wedding were orchestrated by none other than Rabbi Kook, zt"l. His daughter, Bat Sheva Esther, was the well-known Rebbetzin Kanievsky, who recently passed away.

In July 1994, Rabbi Elyashiv was widowed and from 2009 experienced declining health and was hospitalized several times. Early 2012 saw a further deterioration in his health.

Rabbi Elyashiv left behind hundreds of descendants. His 12 children include Rabbi Shlomo - rabbi of the "Tiferet Bachurim" study hall; Rebbetzin Bat Sheva Kanievsky, of blessed memory; Sarah Rachel - wife of Rabbi Yosef Yisrael Isrelzon; Dina, of blessed memory - wife of Rabbi Elchanan Berlin; Shoshana, of blessed memory - wife of Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein; Leah, of blessed memory - wife of Rabbi Azriel Auerbach; Rabbi Moshe - son-in-law of Rabbi Chaim Berrim; Rabbi Binyamin - author of "Yad Binyamin" on the Talmud; son-in-law of Rabbi Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz; Rabbi Avraham - served Rabbi Elyashiv at home; Rivka, killed at age 1.5 during the War of Independence by Jordanian shell; Yitzchak, born in 1951 and passed away in childhood; Gitta - wife of Rabbi Binyamin Rimmer, head of "Kiryat Melech" yeshiva in Bnei Brak.

In 2009, Rabbi Elyashiv welcomed his first great-great-grandson from Rebbetzin Kanievsky's descendants.

Rabbi Elyashiv passed away yesterday, Wednesday, the 28th of Tammuz, at 4:47 pm, following months at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, at age 102. Over 100,000 people paid their last respects at his funeral.

Who Can Replace Such a Leader?

Top government officials grasped the magnitude of the loss and lamented the passing of the patriarch of the Haredi sector. President Shimon Peres eulogized Rabbi Elyashiv yesterday afternoon, saying, "A great leader, halachic authority, and genius of our people who has left a mark on Judaism and contributed to the bridge among various Jewish communities." He added, "His rulings, intertwined in our state's life, serve as a guide for many, and his spiritual influence was felt by the Jewish people as a whole. I share in the family's and the entire Jewish world's mourning."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eulogized the rabbi with the words: "Rabbi Elyashiv's path was one of love for Torah and humanity, humility, and a commitment to the sanctity of life. He was a public servant who faithfully represented the values of Torah, knowledge, and caring for others. We mourn his passing."

"We have lost the leader of the generation, upon whom the entire nation relied," said MK Moshe Gafni, "He was entirely devoted to Torah, awe of Heaven, and concern for Israel and the individual in distress. His home was a source of wisdom and guidance for all Israel, benefiting from his greatness. The loss is profound, who can replace him? The Jewish people across the world are mourning today the passing of the leader of the generation."

Shas party chairman and Minister of Interior Eli Yishai also attended the funeral and shared that Shas's spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, may he live many more years, took the news of the rabbi's passing hard. The minister then called for national commemoration of Rabbi Elyashiv's legacy.

The Jerusalem municipality also expressed its mourning and condolences: "Rabbi Elyashiv, an outstanding leader and halachic authority, served as a judge and halachic teacher for many years, establishing thousands of students who continue his legacy for generations. Jerusalem extends condolences to his rabbinic sons, family, and the many students in Jerusalem, Israel, and around the world."

The Righteous - In Their Death, They Are Called Alive

Though Rabbi Elyashiv has passed, his teachings live on in his numerous students, who convey his legacy to their students and so forth. One of his closest students, who also served as his personal assistant, is Rabbi Yosef Efrati. Among his students are Rabbi Ben Zion Cohen Kook (editor of his halachic rulings), Rabbi Tzvi Weber (rabbi in Neve Yaakov and a member of the rabbinical authority of She'erit Yisrael), Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Karp (rabbi in Modi'in Illit), Rabbi Tzvi Weispish (head of Yeshivat Haran), Rabbi David Aryeh Morgenstern, and Rabbi Yitzchak Drazin (author of "Shvut Yitzchak" series).

May we merit to uphold even a fraction of his teachings, conduct, and ways, as in "to uphold the sages of Israel within us."