Prominent Rabbi Dies at 64 After Teaching Opening Lecture While Ill

Rabbi Eliyahu Friedman, head of the Be'er HaChaim yeshiva in Modi'in Illit, passed away Sunday morning at the age of 64 after a difficult illness. He was a leading student of Rabbi A.Y. Soloveitchik.

Despite severe suffering from his illness, Rabbi Friedman left the hospital to deliver the opening lecture for the Elul study period at his yeshiva. He also participated in prayers and gave a moving talk before returning to the hospital.

Born in 1962, Rabbi Friedman was the son of Rabbi Berl Friedman, a ritual slaughterer for over 50 years and a close associate of Rabbi Elyashiv. He studied at the Ponevezh and Brisk yeshivas in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem, becoming a devoted student of Rabbi Meshulam David Soloveitchik.

He was married twice. His first wife passed away young, leaving 12 orphaned children. His second wife, Rabbanit Chaya, survives him, along with their two daughters. He also leaves behind other descendants.

Rabbi Friedman served as a lecturer at the Me'ayan HaTalmud yeshiva before becoming Rosh Yeshiva at Be'er HaChaim. He was known for his immense diligence, piety, and uncompromising adherence to Jewish law. His students remembered him with deep affection.

The funeral procession departed from his home in Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon for burial at Har HaMenuchot.