Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu (Shlita) was born in the old city of Jerusalem in Adar 1929.His father, the great Chacham Salman Eliyahu zt’l, and one of the main cabalists in Jerusalem, influenced his son to love the Torah and the Esoteric studies at an early age.
Although his father passed on when Rabbi Mordechai was only 11 years old, he continued to study from other chachamim. Among them were Rabbi Ezra Attiah z’l, the head of the yeshiva Porat Yosef in Jerusalem; Rabbi Tzedaka Hutzein z’l, one of the head Rabbis of Jerusalem; and the famous luminary Rabbi Yishyahu z’l the author of the Chazon Ish. Each of these teachers inspired within him his strong faith, trust and special love of the Torah. Rabbi Mordechai graduated with honors from the Institute of Rabbis and Religious Judges, under the direction of Rabbi Yitzhak Nissim. His devotion to his studies led him to be the youngest person elected to the post of Religious Judge (Dayan) in Israel.
He continued to excel as a Dayan in the religious court of Beer Sheva for four years before transferring to the religious court in Jerusalem. Here, he was elected to the Supreme Religious Court. The general public grew to know him as a reliable source to solve problems and answer difficult questions. With Hashem’s help, his warm manners, grace, and vast knowledge of Torah, he was elected to the post of Chief Rabbi of Israel (Rishon Le Zion).
He returned to his birth city of old Jerusalem to be inaugurated as Chief Rabbi in the famous Beit Hakenest of Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakai. Here, many years before Rabbi Ben Zion Meir Chai Uziel z’l was also inaugurated.
As Chief Rabbi, he sought to give the non-religious public a better understanding of Jewish traditions and the importance of the Torah. He lectured at secular moshavim and kibbutzim, as well as non-religious public schools. He also traveled extensively throughout the world, teaching Jewish communities the importance to fight assimilation, increase Shabat observance, educate the children, observe family purity and the need to immigrate to Israel. During his tenure as Rabbi, Israel enjoyed a measure of peace. Its soldiers returned from Lebanon, and Israel did not got to war with any of its neighbors. During this time, the American Army destroyed Iraq’s army, which was one of Israel’s strongest enemies.
Today, Rabbi Eliyahu continues to help Jewish communities all over the world through his teachings, book writings and his well-known televised weekly lecture in his Synagogue. He wrote many books including: Path to Purity, which is available in over five languages, Halakot Moed, which lists the different laws for each holiday, and he edited the daily prayer and Holiday prayer books, giving the pertinent laws before each prayer or section. One of his most important works to date was adding annotations where appropriate to the Kisour Shulhan Arough of the Gaon Harav Shlomo Gunzfreid z’l according to "Mishna Berurah" of the Gaon the "Hafetz Hayyim" z’l, according to the Author of the book "Mishna Halachot" on the "Mishna Berurah", according to "Misgaret HaShulchan" in the methodology of "Shulchan Aruch HaRav" of the Gaon Rabeinu Shneur Zalman of Liadi z’l, according to "Darchei Halacha" per the Rulings of the Shulchan Aruch of Maran Rabbi Yosef Karo z’l, according to the rulings of The ARI HaKadosh zt’l as they are brought in the "Ben Ish Hai" zt’l , "Kaf HaHayyim" and others, and according to his own sephardic rulings.
This has given the Jewish people one abbreviated Shulhan Arough for all communities. This book is praised for its clarity and conciseness. It can be used in a class with students from all traditions, thus further uniting the Jewish people.
Rabbi Eliyahu is a much sought after expert for his Torah and Halakha knowledge, and for his great piety resulting in positive answers to his blessings and prayers. His best testimonial is seen by the intense love that people have for him.
Rabbi Eliyahu lives in Jerusalem with his wife. Mrs. Eliyahu is very devoted to helping their community and several Jewish organizations. Their four children also follow in their path, helping the Jewish people. Their oldest son, an ordained Rabbi and lawyer, serves an important public position in the Israeli government; their second son is the chief Rabbi of Sfad, and their youngest son is a Rosh Kolel in Jerusalem. Their daughter teaches at a religious girls school.
Topic: Rav Mordechai Eliyahu (Read 3863 times)