Rabbi Avraham Shapira's Yom Kippur Prayers Remembered

Nineteen years after the passing of Rabbi Avraham Shapira, his prominent student Rabbi Yehoshua Magnes and son Rabbi Shmuel Shapira shared recollections of his profound Yom Kippur prayers. Rabbi Magnes recounted a moment during the "V'tenah Tokef" prayer at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav when the entire study hall fell silent, awaiting Rabbi Shapira. He then began to weep uncontrollably, a deep cry that resonated throughout the room, before resuming the prayer. Magnes stated he still aspires to recite the prayer with such emotional depth.

Rabbi Shmuel Shapira described his father's prayer as embodying the Volozhin tradition, but emphasized it was more than just a recitation; it was characterized by warmth and spiritual intensity. A Jerusalem resident reportedly told them that Rabbi Shapira educated an entire generation on the essence of prayer. His mother, who also had a deeply spiritual prayer life, was cited by Rabbi Yechiel Sarna as a model for prayer.

Rabbi Shapira's intense awe of divine judgment was evident even when ill. While reciting Psalms for his recovery, he paused at the verse "And do not bring your servant into judgment," focusing on the word "judgment." His son explained this stemmed from a profound fear of divine judgment. However, this fear did not lead to sadness; after the shofar blasts, his countenance would transform with joy and light, as described by Rabbi Magnes.

Despite medical advice against leading the "Ne'ilah" closing prayer in his final year, Rabbi Shapira agreed when informed it would bring joy to the congregation. During the service, the prayers were so powerful that congregants felt transported to the time of the Temple, envisioning the High Priest entering and exiting the Holy of Holies. As students escorted Rabbi Shapira home, they sang "Emet Mah Niftar Hayah Kohen Gadol" (Truly, How Great Was the High Priest), a hymn about the High Priest's safe exit from the Holy of Holies.