For three
generations, he epitomized the Mussar ideal, and the name “Reb
Elyah” was synonymous with Torah, piety, sincerity, wisdom --
all the sterling traits that were associated with Rabbi
Yisrael of Salant and his greatest disciples.
After nearly eight busy and productive decades in Eastern
Europe and England, Reb Elyah “retired” to Israel, where he
longed to sit before his Gemara on a back bench of an obscure
bais midrash.
It was not to be. He was asked to become the Mashgiach
(spiritual guide) of the yeshivah in Kfar Chassidim. At his
age? A new career? At a stage in life when he yearned for
personal spiritual fulfillment? The Chazon Ish told him that
he must accept, because righteous people must continue to
blossom and serve and teach in their old age.
So began a fruitful new chapter in a glorious life. He
transformed little known Kfar Chassidim into a hub of Torah
and Mussar. His life became a textbook of growth and
greatness. A typical story: He heard that a non-religious
teenager was spending a few days in Kfar Chassidim and had
decided to stay for Shabbos, without permission. When Reb
Elyah sent for him on Friday afternoon, the boy was sure he
would be asked to leave. Imagine his surprise when the
nongenarian Mashgiach handed him a package and said, “You
surely did not bring Shabbos clothes. Here -- I sent one of
the students to buy clothes for you.” The visitor was shocked.
But not the students of Kfar Chassidim. To them, it was
typical of Reb Elyah.
Rabbi David J. Schlossberg is one of those students. He was
close to Reb Elyah, molded by him. And now he brings Reb Elyah
to us in this warm and inspiring biography, which is a
textbook of saintliness. Every reader will be grateful -- and
elevated. |
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