Rav Elyakim Friedman zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Be’er Hachaim in Modiin Illit and a distinguished talmid of Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik of Brisk, was niftar early Sunday morning at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim following a serious illness. He was 64.
Rav Elyakim was an outstanding talmid chochom whose life was marked by extraordinary hasmadah, meticulous adherence to halacha, devotion to his talmidim, and remarkable personal strength through years of profound difficulty.
Even during his final illness, his commitment to Torah remained undiminished. At the beginning of the current Elul zeman, despite being hospitalized and severely weakened, he left the hospital specifically to return to his yeshiva and deliver the opening shiur of the zeman.
Rav Elyakim was born on 6 Tammuz 5722 to Rav Berel Friedman, who for more than 50 years has served as a rov overseeing shochtim at slaughterhouses operating under several kashrus organizations, including Shearis Yisroel. Rav Berel was also close to Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l. His mother, Rebbetzin Ita Henna, is the daughter of the noted Yerushalmi talmid chochom Rav Yeshaya Dvorkes zt”l.
As a young bochur, Rav Elyakim left home to pursue his Torah studies at the Ponovezh yeshiva ketanah in Bnei Brak. He subsequently continued in Yeshivas Ponovezh before going on to Yeshivas Brisk.
It was in Brisk that he became a close talmid of Rav Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik, forming a rebbi-talmid relationship that remained a defining influence upon him for the rest of his life. He was counted among Rav Avrohom Yehoshua’s outstanding talmidim and carried the Brisker approach to learning into his own decades of harbotzas haTorah.
Upon reaching marriageable age, Rav Elyakim married a daughter of Rav Alexander Dinkel zt”l, one of the roshei yeshiva of Yeshivas Kol Torah’s yeshiva ketanah, who was niftar in 5744.
Following his marriage, Rav Elyakim settled on Rechov Panim Meiros in Yerushalayim, becoming one of the prominent talmidei chachomim of the Mattersdorf neighborhood. Those who knew him recall his exceptional hasmadah, pure yiras Shomayim, and uncompromising attention to every detail of halacha. His radiant personality and example had a powerful influence on those around him, both within the neighborhood and beyond.
Approximately 20 years ago, Rav Elyakim endured a devastating personal tragedy when his wife passed away, leaving him to raise their 12 orphaned children.
It was during that painful period that his emunah and extraordinary dedication to Torah and his family became particularly evident. His children later recalled that after returning from their mother’s kever at the conclusion of the shivah, it was already late at night. Rav Elyakim nevertheless instructed his sons to pack their belongings and return immediately to yeshiva rather than wait until the following morning. Torah, he impressed upon them, was their life and the length of their days, and it was the surest path forward even amid such overwhelming pain.
Rav Elyakim subsequently married Rebbetzin Chaya Dinner, a daughter of Rav Eliezer Dinenr, gaavad of Adas Yisroel. They were blessed with two daughters.
For many years, Rav Elyakim served as a R”M in Yeshivas Maayan HaTalmud, known as the Kreshinsky Yeshiva. He was later appointed rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Be’er Hachaim, a yeshiva ketanah in Modiin Illit under the leadership of Rav Boruch Soloveitchik.
There, Rav Elyakim became renowned for his exceptional devotion to his talmidim. With great insight, he understood how to approach each bochur according to his individual personality and abilities, guiding his talmidim toward clarity in sevara and imparting to them the foundations and methodology of proper learning.
The bond he forged with his talmidim extended well beyond their years in the yeshiva. Former talmidim remained deeply attached to him years after leaving, viewing him as a rebbi whose guidance and influence continued to accompany them throughout their lives.
In recent years, Rav Elyakim became seriously ill. He initially succeeded in overcoming the disease, but it later returned, leaving him increasingly weak. During the recent period, his condition required hospitalization.
Yet as Elul zman arrived, Rav Elyakim was determined to return once more to his talmidim.
Despite his weakened condition, he left the hospital and traveled to the yeshiva specifically to deliver the opening shiur on the masechta being learned. He also joined the bnei yeshiva for the Yom Kippur Katan tefillos, first delivering an emotional shmuess of chizuk that deeply moved those present.
Afterward, he returned to the hospital, where his condition continued to deteriorate.
Early Sunday morning, surrounded by members of his family, Rav Elyakim was niftar.
He leaves behind a large family, including two young daughters at home, as well as generations of talmidim who were shaped by his Torah and personal example. Among his mechutanim are Rav Shimon Galei, Rav Boruch Soloveitchik, Rav Chaim Peretz Berman and Rav Boruch Dov Diskin.
The levayah was held today at Rav Elyakim’s home at 1 Rechov Panim Meiros in Yerushalayim, proceeding to Har Hamenuchos for kevurah.
Yehi zichro baruch.
{Matzav.com}
