Young Rabbi Dies After Fall at Yeshiva in Bnei Brak

A young rabbi, Touvia Kempa, 24, died tragically on Monday morning after falling from a window at the Beit Midrash Elyon yeshiva in Bnei Brak. Kempa, a student at the yeshiva, was reportedly discussing a Talmudic passage with friends when he slipped and fell from an emergency exit window, which was installed to meet fire department requirements. Despite resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene, witnessed by many in the yeshiva.

The death is a second severe blow to the family, as Kempa's mother was recently observing the traditional mourning period for her brother, Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Lissitzin, who passed away the previous week. Kempa was born in 2001 to Rabbi Moshe Kempa, a prominent scholar at the Heichal HaTalmud Kollel, and his wife. He was named after his great-grandfather, Rabbi Touvia Lissitzin. His maternal grandfather was Rabbi Tzvi Yaakov Lissitzin, head of the Heichal HaTalmud Kollel, and his paternal grandfather is Rabbi Uri David Kempa, a long-time teacher.

Kempa studied at various yeshivas before joining Beit Midrash Elyon, where he was known for his diligence and deep immersion in his studies. He married just a few months ago, on June 29, 2023, to his wife, the daughter of Rabbi Tanchum Fishehoff, a leader at the Ponevezh Yeshiva. The news of his sudden and tragic death has deeply shocked his family, the yeshiva world, and the students of Beit Midrash Elyon, who are still mourning the recent passing of his uncle, Rabbi Y.S. Lissitzin.

The funeral procession was scheduled to depart from the Beit Midrash Elyon hall at 4:30 PM on Monday, proceeding to the Yarkon Cemetery near Petah Tikva for burial.