The Young Scholar: The Legacy of R' Avraham HaKohen, The Chofetz Chaim's Son

This upcoming Shabbat marks the anniversary of the passing of R' Avraham HaKohen, the son of the Chofetz Chaim, who was born around 1868 and passed away on the 20th of Kislev, at just 23 years old, after a severe illness.

In the preface to "Likutei Halachot Zevachim," the Chofetz Chaim praises his son: "He was exceptional in Torah and character, truly remarkable... a deep thinker with clear reasoning..." Even in his moments of illness, R' Avraham assisted his renowned father in compiling his insights on the tractate Zevachim. The Chofetz Chaim included his son's insights at the end of "Likutei Halachot Zevachim."

The esteemed Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian once mentioned R' Avraham in his lectures, saying: "I knew R' Avraham. He was a 'second Chofetz Chaim' in both Torah and character!"

R' Aryeh HaKohen, Avraham's brother, recounts in his book "Toldot HaChofetz Chaim" about his brother's illness: "Our father, in his great spirit and strong faith in Hashem, remained undaunted, accepting his suffering with love, and did not forgo his Talmud classes... Even during the summer, when he took my brothers to a nearby village to breathe fresh air, he arranged a table in the forest and studied halacha deeply there. Despite his illness, my brother never ceased engaging in deep halachic discussions until the end of his life."

R' Aryeh recounts how, due to the distance from Radin, he was unaware of his brother's passing. He describes how he learned of it two and a half months later. "When I arrived in Radin to visit my father, after greetings, I asked about my brother Avraham's health. My father replied that he was already in Gan Eden for ten weeks," R' Aryeh narrates. "Naturally, I was thunderstruck by the sudden bad news. After tearing my clothes and sitting on the ground, my father began to comfort me, saying that he left the world pure, without sin. He endured suffering for more than four years, yet always studied and toiled in Torah, nearly dying in its midst. His merit is great as a significant portion of 'Likutei Halachot on Zevachim' is the fruit of his effort, besides his outstanding character traits in interpersonal relationships."

The Chofetz Chaim added that when he heard of his son R' Avraham's final illness, it was the day before Avraham's passing. He hurried to travel, but due to the journey's hardships, he arrived late, finding that the funeral had concluded and the people had returned from the cemetery. He regretted not being able to accompany his son to his resting place. "Indeed, my sins caused this delay from the heavens. Perhaps if I had arrived while he was still alive and pleaded before the Almighty, remembering my merits, they might not have turned me away empty-handed and spared his life," the Chofetz Chaim lamented.

"But Hashem's ways are wise, and His plans precise. Who knows what soul he once was or the purpose of his life, and perhaps he fulfilled his mission in his brief years," continued the Chofetz Chaim, comforting his son.

The students at the Radin yeshiva also spoke of the Chofetz Chaim's acceptance of divine judgment: "Throughout the week of mourning, the Chofetz Chaim repeated the verse: 'Hashem has given, and Hashem has taken. May the name of Hashem be blessed now and forever.'"