The Young Scholar: The Legacy of R' Avraham HaKohen, The Chofetz Chaim's Son

This coming Shabbat marks the anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Avraham HaKohen, the son of the Chofetz Chaim. He was born around 1868 and passed away on the 20th of Kislev at the young age of just 23, following a severe illness.

In the introduction to Likutei Halachot on Zevachim, the Chofetz Chaim praises his son, writing: “He was exceptional in Torah and character, truly remarkable… a deep thinker with clear reasoning.” Even during his illness, Rabbi Avraham assisted his illustrious father in compiling insights on the tractate Zevachim, and the Chofetz Chaim included his son’s contributions at the end of Likutei Halachot on Zevachim.

The esteemed Rabbi Eliyahu Lopian later mentioned Rabbi Avraham in his lectures, saying, “I knew Rabbi Avraham. He was a ‘second Chofetz Chaim,’ both in Torah knowledge and in character.”

Rabbi Aryeh HaKohen, Avraham’s brother, recounts in his book Toldot HaChofetz Chaim details of his brother’s illness: “Our father, with his great spirit and strong faith in Hashem, remained undaunted, accepting the suffering with love, and did not forgo his Talmud classes. Even during the summer, when he took my brothers to a nearby village to breathe fresh air, he set up a table in the forest and studied halacha in depth. Despite his illness, my brother never ceased engaging in profound halachic discussions until the end of his life.”

Rabbi Aryeh also relates that, due to his distance from Radin, he was unaware of his brother’s passing and learned of it only two and a half months later. “When I arrived in Radin to visit my father,” he writes, “after exchanging greetings, I asked about my brother Avraham’s health. My father replied that he had already been in Gan Eden for ten weeks. Naturally, I was struck with shock by the sudden news. After tearing my garments and sitting on the ground, my father began to comfort me, saying that Avraham had left this world pure and without sin. He endured suffering for more than four years, yet always studied and toiled in Torah, nearly passing away in its midst. His merit is great, for a significant portion of Likutei Halachot on Zevachim is the fruit of his efforts, in addition to his outstanding character traits in matters between man and his fellow.”

The Chofetz Chaim himself added that when he first heard of his son Rabbi Avraham’s final illness, it was the day before his passing. He rushed to travel to him, but due to the hardships of the journey, he arrived too late, finding that the funeral had already concluded and the people had returned from the cemetery. He deeply regretted not being able to accompany his son to his final resting place. “Indeed, my sins caused this delay from Heaven,” the Chofetz Chaim lamented. “Perhaps had I arrived while he was still alive and pleaded before the Almighty, recalling my merits, they might not have turned me away empty-handed and his life might have been spared.”

“But Hashem’s ways are wise, and His plans precise,” the Chofetz Chaim continued. “Who knows what soul he once was, or the purpose of his life? Perhaps he fulfilled his mission in his brief years.”

Students of the Radin yeshiva also testified to the Chofetz Chaim’s acceptance of divine judgment. Throughout the week of mourning, he repeatedly recited the verse: “Hashem has given, and Hashem has taken; may the Name of Hashem be blessed from now and forever.”