Inspiring Stories of Rabbi Mordechai Elyahu: A Legacy of Love and Kindness

Today marks the 14th anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Mordechai Elyahu zt"l. Rabbi Elyahu (21st of Adar I 5789 - 25th of Sivan 5770) was the Chief Rabbi of Israel, a halachic authority, and a mystic. Below are poignant stories about the Father of Israel, who carried the people in his compassionate heart.

1. The Green Tefillin

During one of his visits to Russia, Rabbi Mordechai Elyahu noticed a Jew wearing green tefillin. When he inquired about them, the man explained that upon discovering his Jewish identity, he decided to join a synagogue and wanted to wear tefillin like everyone else. He crafted his own from green asbestos, inscribing the letters himself.

Rabbi Elyahu then asked if the tefillin contained the proper parchments; the man replied that he had copied them from a mezuzah at a friend’s home. Hearing this, Rabbi Elyahu assured the man that Hashem felt joy over these tefillin, more than any other in the world, and that he would gladly accept them in exchange for a proper pair.

The man expressed concern that his tefillin weren’t kosher. Rabbi Elyahu reassured him that nothing pleased Hashem more than his tefillin, which led him to joy rather than disappointment.

Rabbanit Rachel Bazak shares her experience living with her grandfather, Rabbi Mordechai Elyahu zt"l, and her father, Rabbi Shmuel Elyahu. Watch:

2. A Halachic Dilemma in Shechita

During the War of Independence, Rabbi Mordechai Elyahu studied with Rabbi Tzadka the Elder, a revered sage. A Jew came to the synagogue with pigeons and asked Rabbi Tzadka to slaughter them. While in the process of shechita, an explosion nearby caused panic. Rabbi Tzadka sighed, saying the slaughter was invalid due to the interruption caused by the commotion. Rabbi Elyahu promptly replied, "I knew you’d worry, but I watched closely, and there was no pause in the shechita."

This story resonates with us: while most would fear the explosion, Rabbi Elyahu remained focused on the halachic implications, ensuring no issues arose.

Rabbi Tzadka remained apprehensive and requested another pigeon. Rabbi Elyahu asked where he would find one. Just then, a man selling pigeons came and offered to sell them, saying, "Pay what you wish."

(Illustration: Hila Ben Yitzhak)

3. Divine Assistance

One day, a groom came to Rabbi Elyahu before his wedding, worried that some of the food might not be kosher. His father insisted it was. Rabbi Elyahu reassured him, saying, "Don’t worry, everything will be fine." The next morning, the groom overheard his father saying someone had forgotten to put the questionable food in the refrigerator, leading it to spoil and stink, ensuring all the food was kosher. No disputes arose because of the incident.

4. Taking on Responsibility for Israel

Rabbi Mordechai Elyahu had a deep love for the song 'Tanya, said Rabbi Ishmael...' and often requested it, even during his illness. The song, set to an emotional melody, tells of Rabbi Ishmael the High Priest's encounter with Hashem, who asked him to bless: "Tanya, said Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha, once I entered... I saw the Holy One, Blessed Be He, sitting on a throne of mercy, who asked me, 'Ishmael my son, bless me.' I said, 'May it be Your will that Your mercy overpowers Your anger...'"

This principle was central to Rabbi Elyahu’s life: to treat your children with kindness and mercy. Although we can’t fully grasp these things, it's evident that Rabbi Elyahu took upon himself the task of atonement for the generation, as King David said: "And what have these sheep done? Let your hand be upon me and my father's house." He bore the burdens of Israel in his heart, dedicated to their learning, awareness, and reverence towards Hashem.

It's poignant to note that the day of Rabbi Elyahu's yahrzeit, the 25th of Sivan, coincides with the day Rabbi Ishmael the High Priest was martyred for the sanctification of Hashem.

Nir Kaftan shares his encounter with Rabbi Yossef Elyahu, to hear first-hand accounts of his remarkable father’s character, the Father of Israel. Watch:

Rabbi Mordechai Elyahu did not belong to any particular sector; he carried all of Israel on his heart with love. In the first lecture broadcasted via satellite, Rabbi brought the verse "The voice of your watchmen, they shall lift their voice together with joy," explained according to the commentaries of the Gemara, Tosafot, the Holy Zohar, the Ben Ish Chai, Ba'al Shem Tov, and the Vilna Gaon. During the lecture, he stated, "We belong to everyone and to no one."

6. Calming a Child Before Surgery

A mother shared: "My son had to undergo a complicated brain surgery. We, the parents, tried to project a calm atmosphere, but he sensed our tension and became very anxious. We felt that only if we could enter the home of our teacher, Rabbi Mordechai Elyahu, see his radiant face, and receive his blessing, would we truly be able to relax."

"We went to the rabbi’s home, he personally opened the door for us. With a warm and bright smile, he invited us into the main room. Upon learning the reason for our visit, he sat with our son, as if he were a long-time friend, and for an hour told him stories about his own life, soothing all our worries."

"Just before we left his room, I spoke quietly to the rabbi, 'The doctors say the surgery is dangerous and can lead to severe consequences. What can we do?!' The rabbi replied decisively, 'His word will be sent, and they will heal him,' without any doubt. 'They will do their job, and we will do ours.' It goes without saying that, by Hashem’s grace, the surgery was a great success.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

7. Four Words That Healed Eye Inflammation

Another story from a relative: "My five-year-old nephew had a serious eye infection for a long time. All the medications we tried were ineffective. We applied tea bags and ointments, but his eye remained red and slightly swollen. At that time, the boy’s brother turned three, and their father brought both sons to Rabbi Mordechai Elyahu’s home."

"After the cutting of the hair and blessing for the 'chalaka', the father also requested a blessing for Yosef Chaim to be healed from the irritating eye infection. The rabbi looked deeply into Yosef Chaim’s eyes, smiled, and said, 'For with eye-to-eye they shall see.'"

"The following day, when they came to pick up Yosef Chaim from kindergarten, the teacher asked his mother in amazement, 'What medicine did you give him? The infection cleared up completely!' His mother looked at her three-year-old son and pointed to his head, saying, 'It’s all thanks to the chalaka we did with the tzaddik.' She then realized that even if the rabbi only said four words, his blessing reverberated powerfully in the heavens."

8. The Child Learned to Speak at the Rabbi's House

Another story: "My son reached the age of three and still hadn't spoken. We took him to specialists, but they had no solution for our dilemma. I decided to go to Rabbi Elyahu zt"l to seek his blessing."

"Feeling very close to the rabbi, I allowed myself to be a bit 'bold': I placed my young son on the rabbi’s lap and told him, 'Rabbi, my child isn’t leaving here until he learns to speak.' "

"The rabbi smiled at my son, placed his finger on his lips, and said, 'Hashem, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise.' It goes without saying that my three-year-old son left the rabbi's house speaking."

9. The Power of Silence and Forgiveness

Once, a man shared with me that he had been insulted, and his shame was unbearable. He came to Rabbi Mordechai Elyahu zt"l, recounting the humiliation he endured. The rabbi advised him to stay silent and not respond to his tormentors. By suppressing his desire for vengeance, he would be granted a son.

The ashamed Jew asked, 'What does this blessing have to do with my situation?' The rabbi hinted, 'It is said in Psalms: 'Remember us in our humiliation,’ meaning that if you have been humiliated, with Hashem’s help, you will be blessed with a son.' This is precisely what happened.

Rabbi Alon Avidar describes the remarkable character of Rabbi Mordechai Elyahu, based on personal encounters and acts of his that became widely known after his passing: