Rabbi Eliyahu ben Yitzchak Weiss
- b. March 12, 1910 - Kraków, Poland
- d. August 4, 1985 - Jerusalem, Israel
(Hebrew date: 16 Av 5745)
Rabbi Eliyahu Weiss was a beloved spiritual leader and teacher in the Warsaw Jewish community. He served as a Rabbi, educator, and mentor for over 40 years, dedicating his life to Torah, community care, and the transmission of Jewish values. He is remembered for his humility, wisdom, and kindness.
Memories in Photos
Life Story
Rabbi Eliyahu ben Yitzchak Weiss was born on March 12, 1910, in Kraków, Poland, into a modest but deeply religious family. From a young age, he showed a passion for study, compassion for others, and a natural ability to lead through humility and example.
He studied at the Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin, one of the most respected Talmudic academies of its time. There, he was known not only for his sharp intellect but also for his kindness toward fellow students and his unwavering dedication to halacha (Jewish law) and community values.
In the years leading up to the Second World War, Rabbi Weiss returned to Kraków, where he began serving as a teacher and spiritual guide in the local community. He married Miriam Leah, with whom he had three children. During the Holocaust, the Weiss family endured tremendous hardship. Rabbi Weiss managed to escape occupied Poland with his family in 1941, finding refuge in Hungary and later in Switzerland. Many members of his extended family, including his parents and siblings, perished.
After the war, the family emigrated to Israel, settling in Jerusalem. Deeply affected by the loss of his community in Poland, Rabbi Weiss devoted the rest of his life to rebuilding spiritual life among Jewish survivors and refugees. He became a beloved community rabbi in one of Jerusalem’s early neighborhoods, where he offered regular Torah classes, helped struggling families, and mentored a new generation of scholars and leaders.
He was particularly devoted to educating young people about Jewish ethics, kindness, and resilience. His home was always open – not only to students, but also to the lonely, the questioning, and the grieving.
Rabbi Weiss never sought recognition, yet his influence was deeply felt. His words were measured, his prayers sincere, and his presence comforting. Many recall his gentle voice during Shabbat services, his handwritten notes in the margins of prayer books, and his soft smile that seemed to carry generations of wisdom.
He passed away peacefully on August 4, 1985 (16 Av 5745), surrounded by his family. His legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, and countless students whose lives he touched with his wisdom and warmth.
May his memory be a blessing – זכרונו לברכה.
Rabbi Eliyahu ben Yitzchak Weiss was born on March 12, 1910, in Kraków, Poland, into a modest but deeply religious family. From a young age, he showed a passion for study, compassion for others, and a natural ability to lead through humility and example.
He studied at the Yeshivat Chachmei Lublin, one of the most respected Talmudic academies of its time. There, he was known not only for his sharp intellect but also for his kindness toward fellow students and his unwavering dedication to halacha (Jewish law) and community values.
In the years leading up to the Second World War, Rabbi Weiss returned to Kraków, where he began serving as a teacher and spiritual guide in the local community. He married Miriam Leah, with whom he had three children. During the Holocaust, the Weiss family endured tremendous hardship. Rabbi Weiss managed to escape occupied Poland with his family in 1941, finding refuge in Hungary and later in Switzerland. Many members of his extended family, including his parents and siblings, perished.
After the war, the family emigrated to Israel, settling in Jerusalem. Deeply affected by the loss of his community in Poland, Rabbi Weiss devoted the rest of his life to rebuilding spiritual life among Jewish survivors and refugees. He became a beloved community rabbi in one of Jerusalem’s early neighborhoods, where he offered regular Torah classes, helped struggling families, and mentored a new generation of scholars and leaders.
He was particularly devoted to educating young people about Jewish ethics, kindness, and resilience. His home was always open – not only to students, but also to the lonely, the questioning, and the grieving.
Rabbi Weiss never sought recognition, yet his influence was deeply felt. His words were measured, his prayers sincere, and his presence comforting. Many recall his gentle voice during Shabbat services, his handwritten notes in the margins of prayer books, and his soft smile that seemed to carry generations of wisdom.
He passed away peacefully on August 4, 1985 (16 Av 5745), surrounded by his family. His legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, and countless students whose lives he touched with his wisdom and warmth.
May his memory be a blessing – זכרונו לברכה.
Memories from Community
“He taught me that kindness is the highest wisdom.” – Miriam W., granddaughter
“His dvar Torahs reached both the heart and the intellect.” – Rabbi David G.
🕯️ Yahrzeit (Annual Remembrance)
- Date of Passing: August 4, 1985
- Hebrew Date: 16 Av 5745
- Next Yahrzeit: August 10, 2025 / 16 Av 5785