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He initially refused to lead Mussar seminars in [[Israel]] and sought to occupy himself with teaching and private moral work. Yet with the blessing of Rabbi [[Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz]] (the "Chazon Ish"), he finally reconciled himself with leading Mussar courses. Despite his old age, he agreed in the end to act as [[Mashgiach ruchani|mashgiach]] at the Knesset Hizkiyahu yeshiva (located originally in [[Zikhron Ya'aqov]] and then moved to [[Kfar Hasidim]]), headed by Rabbi Noah Shimonovitz. From the moment of his arrival, Rabbi Lopian became a magnet for the young men. The yeshiva became firmly established and even drew many young people from neighboring yeshiva high schools such as the [[Bnei Akiva]] [[Kfar HaRo'eh]] yeshivah and Midrashiat Noam in [[Pardes Hannah]].
He initially refused to lead Mussar seminars in [[Israel]] and sought to occupy himself with teaching and private moral work. Yet with the blessing of Rabbi [[Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz]] (the "Chazon Ish"), he finally reconciled himself with leading Mussar courses. Despite his old age, he agreed in the end to act as [[Mashgiach ruchani|mashgiach]] at the Knesset Hizkiyahu yeshiva (located originally in [[Zikhron Ya'aqov]] and then moved to [[Kfar Hasidim]]), headed by Rabbi Noah Shimonovitz. From the moment of his arrival, Rabbi Lopian became a magnet for the young men. The yeshiva became firmly established and even drew many young people from neighboring yeshiva high schools such as the [[Bnei Akiva]] [[Kfar HaRo'eh]] yeshivah and Midrashiat Noam in [[Pardes Hannah]].

Rabbi Lopian had 13 children: Rabbi Simcha Zissel Lopian of Yeshivas Toras Emes, London; Rabbi Abraham Yishaye Lopin, United States; [[Rebbetzin]] Leiba Gurwicz, Gateshead; Rabbi Chaim Shmuel Lopian of Sunderland Yeshiva; Rabbi Leib Lopian of [[Gateshead Yeshiva]]; Rabbi Eliezer Lopian of Yeshivas Toras Emes, London; Rebbetzin Pearl Klein, London and Jerusalem; Rabbi Benzion (Benzel) Lapian, Willesden (London), Edgware (London) and Hong Kong; Rabbi Zvi Hershel Lopian (perished in the [[Holocaust]]); Rebbetzin Rochel Vilenski, Jerusalem; Yisroel Nochum Lopian, London; Rebbetzin Chaya Pinski, Jerusalem; Yankel Yoel Lopian, Manchester


After his death, a street was named in his honor in the [[Ramat Shlomo]] neighborhood of Jerusalem.
After his death, a street was named in his honor in the [[Ramat Shlomo]] neighborhood of Jerusalem.

Revision as of 13:39, 14 September 2009

File:Elyah Lopian.jpg
Rabbi Elyah Lopian on campus at Knesset Hizkiyahu yeshiva

Eliyohu Lopian (1872–1970), known as Reb Elyah, was among the most prominent rabbis of the Mussar movement. As a disciple of the Kelm Talmud Torah method, he was known for his strict keeping of order and strong self-control. It is told that he would not turn his head without a reason and a structured decision.

Biography

Lopian was born in Kelm, Lithuania. In his youth he studied at the yeshiva in Łomża. He emigrated to England in 1925, where he served as the rosh yeshiva of the Etz Chaim Yeshiva in the East End of London, working for many years alongside his distinguished colleague Rabbi Nachman Shlomo Greenspan. His wife died in 1934, shortly after the engagement of their daughter Leiba to Rabbi Leib Gurwicz.

For many years, rabbi Lopian had wanted to make his home in the Land of Israel, and spoke a great deal about the Vilna Gaon's intense yet unfulfilled desire to live there. In 1950 he left the Etz Chaim Yeshiva and moved to Israel. At first he stayed in the home of his wife's brother, Yisrael Luriain, in Jerusalem. That Succos, he visited the Brisker Rov, Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik.

He initially refused to lead Mussar seminars in Israel and sought to occupy himself with teaching and private moral work. Yet with the blessing of Rabbi Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz (the "Chazon Ish"), he finally reconciled himself with leading Mussar courses. Despite his old age, he agreed in the end to act as mashgiach at the Knesset Hizkiyahu yeshiva (located originally in Zikhron Ya'aqov and then moved to Kfar Hasidim), headed by Rabbi Noah Shimonovitz. From the moment of his arrival, Rabbi Lopian became a magnet for the young men. The yeshiva became firmly established and even drew many young people from neighboring yeshiva high schools such as the Bnei Akiva Kfar HaRo'eh yeshivah and Midrashiat Noam in Pardes Hannah.

Rabbi Lopian had 13 children: Rabbi Simcha Zissel Lopian of Yeshivas Toras Emes, London; Rabbi Abraham Yishaye Lopin, United States; Rebbetzin Leiba Gurwicz, Gateshead; Rabbi Chaim Shmuel Lopian of Sunderland Yeshiva; Rabbi Leib Lopian of Gateshead Yeshiva; Rabbi Eliezer Lopian of Yeshivas Toras Emes, London; Rebbetzin Pearl Klein, London and Jerusalem; Rabbi Benzion (Benzel) Lapian, Willesden (London), Edgware (London) and Hong Kong; Rabbi Zvi Hershel Lopian (perished in the Holocaust); Rebbetzin Rochel Vilenski, Jerusalem; Yisroel Nochum Lopian, London; Rebbetzin Chaya Pinski, Jerusalem; Yankel Yoel Lopian, Manchester

After his death, a street was named in his honor in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood of Jerusalem.

His works

Lev Eliyahu - Mussar lessons. Edited by his students

References

  • Reb Elyah: The Life and Accomplishments of Rabbi Elyah Lopian, David J. Schlossberg, Mesorah Publications Limited, February 1999.