Chief Rabbi Shares Memories of Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu on the Night He Did Not Sleep

The Chief Rabbi of Israel shared personal memories and unusual stories at the hillula marking the yahrzeit of Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, of blessed memory, and described a leader who devoted his life to the Jewish people, to individual needs, and to empowering others. Rabbi of Israel Kalman Ber appeared in the Channel 7 studio set up as part of the memorial events for the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, of blessed memory, and spoke about his personal recollections and his insights into the rabbi’s character and work. In his remarks, he described him as a model of rabbinic leadership and someone who dedicated his life to teaching Torah, strengthening the public, and caring for every person who approached him. According to Rabbi Ber, Rabbi Eliyahu worked tirelessly for decades, traveling from community to community in Israel and around the world, giving Torah lessons and strengthening communities in an effort to bring Jews closer to their Father in Heaven. He noted that the rabbi’s schedule was especially packed, from the early morning hours until late at night, out of a deep sense of mission and public responsibility.

Alongside his broad activity, the Chief Rabbi emphasized that Rabbi Eliyahu’s greatest strength was his ability to see each person individually. In his words, anyone who came to him with a problem or a question received full attention, as if it were the central matter on his agenda. Rabbi Ber described a leader who did not limit himself to the general public, but gave real space to every individual.

As an example, Rabbi Ber told of a man whose wife was facing a complicated childbirth. Rabbi Eliyahu asked him to update him the moment she entered the delivery room, even if it was late at night. When the husband called at 3 a.m., the rabbi answered immediately and said, “I really thank you for calling, because otherwise my wife and I would be saying Tehillim for you.” Rabbi Ber explained that for many hours, the rabbi and his wife sat and prayed for the couple, מתוך a deep sense of responsibility for their distress. In his view, this story reflects Rabbi Eliyahu’s personality. He was not only someone to whom miracle stories were attached, but a man of moral greatness who saw another person’s pain as a personal responsibility.

Rabbi Ber compared this approach to the Midrash of the Sages about Moses, who ran after a single goat, and explained that a true leader understands that the entire Jewish people is made up of individuals, and every person deserves full attention. Rabbi Ber also spoke about Rabbi Eliyahu’s Torah greatness and noted the breadth of his knowledge in all areas of Jewish law. In his words, the rabbi was able to answer complex questions quickly and clearly, with broad mastery of both revealed and hidden teachings. At the same time, he was known for his ability to strengthen people, encourage them to act, and believe in the powers they were given. “He was the greatest empowerer of people,” Rabbi Ber said. According to him, the rabbi encouraged the establishment of settlements, yeshivas and institutions, and sent rabbis and emissaries to work in Israel and around the world. When people doubted their ability, he strengthened them, guided them, and made clear that he stood by them לאורך the way.

At the end of his remarks, the Chief Rabbi described Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu as an exemplary figure and a public and spiritual beacon. In his words, his legacy continues to shine today through commitment to the needs of both the community and the individual, love of fellow Jews, self-sacrifice, and faith in the strengths within every person.