Avraham Shapira

Rabbi Avraham Shapira

Born on 14 Iyar 5671 (1911) in Jerusalem to Shlomo Zalman and Hena Reisel Kahana-Shapira. He spent his childhood years in the Talmud Torah of the local Etz Chaim Yeshiva, and was later sent to study at the 'Hebron' Yeshiva. Even then, he began corresponding on halachic questions with the great rabbis of Israel at that time, such as the Chazon Ish, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook, Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik, and Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer.

After his marriage to Penina from the Raanan family in 5704 (1944), he began teaching at the Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva in Jerusalem. In 5716 (1956), he was appointed by Rabbi Herzog as a member of the Rabbinical Court in Jerusalem, and in 5731 (1971), he was appointed as the head of the court.

In 5734 (1974), he was appointed as a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, and on 1 Nissan 5743 (1983), he was elected to serve as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, replacing the outgoing Rabbi Shlomo Goren. In this position, he served according to Israeli state law for ten years, alongside the Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu. After completing his term, he was replaced as Chief Rabbi by Rabbi Israel Meir Lau.

After the passing of the head of the 'Mercaz HaRav' Yeshiva, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook, in 5742 (1982), he was appointed to stand in his place as the head of the yeshiva. Rabbi Shapira held this position even during his tenure as Chief Rabbi of Israel and continued in it after his retirement.

Throughout the years, he firmly stood for the integrity of the Land of Israel, and joined the halachic determination that giving territories to the Arabs contradicts the values of Torah and mitzvot, is forbidden according to Torah law, and puts the residents of Israel in danger. Following his resolute opinion on this matter, in 5765 (2005), he called on military and security personnel to refuse orders regarding the evacuation of Jews from Gush Katif.

Rabbi Shapira continued to serve in his position until his passing on the morning of the first day of Sukkot, 15 Tishrei 5768 (2007). His funeral, which took place the next day, was attended by many of his students from the Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva and masses of Religious Zionist people who saw him as their spiritual leader. At the end of the funeral procession, he was buried in the cemetery on the Mount of Olives, near the graves of Religious Zionist leaders Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook, and Rabbi Shlomo Goren.

According to his will, his son Rabbi Yaakov Elazar was appointed to the position of Rosh Yeshiva (head of the yeshiva).

His Connections with Chabad Chassidut and the Rebbe

Chabad rabbis and activists visited the Chief Rabbis at the Rebbe's instruction (Cheshvan 5746/1985). In the picture (right to left): Rabbi Yitzchak Yehuda Yeroslovsky, Rabbi Zusha Wilmovsky, Rabbi Levi Bistritzky, Rabbi Moshe Ashkenazi, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Wilshansky, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, Rabbi Avraham Shapira, Rabbi Yosef Gliksberg Rabbi of Givatayim. Standing in the back (right) is Rabbi Barake Wolf.

In an interview with Kfar Chabad magazine, Rabbi Shapira shared about his initial connection to Chabad Chassidut:

"I actually come from a family of 'mitnagdim' (opponents of Chassidut), but among my friends in the yeshivas were many chassidim, and the atmosphere between us was very pleasant. In the community of Torah scholars in Jerusalem, there was nothing divisive. Therefore, in my childhood, when for many years I lived in the Beit Yisrael neighborhood, I would often go with my father of blessed memory to pray at the Chabad synagogue in the neighborhood. There I merited to meet brilliant rabbis and public figures from Chabad chassidim and was very friendly with them. Chassidut was more successful in keeping youth with fear of Heaven... Since Jerusalem is a city of Torah study and is full of Torah scholars, there was never any special opposition to Chassidut felt there, as Torah scholars increase peace in the world."

During the tenure of Chief Rabbis Rabbi Shapira and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, official visits of the rabbis along with members of their entourage took place to American rabbis, with the highlight of the visit being the yechidut (private audience) of the rabbis in the Rebbe's room.

The first visit, which took place on 1 Kislev 5744 (1983), began at one o'clock in the morning, and the rabbis stayed with the Rebbe together with the nine members of their entourage for about two hours. The main topic of discussion was around the necessity of studying the inner dimensions of Torah, which gives the strength to overcome the difficult trials and temptations that the world offers. In conclusion, the Rebbe requested to speak with the rabbis in private. Those present left, and the rabbis stayed with the Rebbe for an additional forty-five minutes during which the Rebbe spoke with them on matters of "leadership" and offered his advice. The Rebbe's words dealt with all areas of strengthening and preserving religion, as the Rebbe moved from topic to topic (such as: family purity, kashrut, and education), dwelling practically on each of them. At the end of the yechidut, the Rebbe accompanied them to the entrance of the corridor at 770. In an interview with Kfar Chabad magazine after the visit, Rabbi Shapira said that he saw it as his duty to visit the Rebbe, considering him a great one in Israel, and related that it was a unique experience for him to meet with the Rebbe, who is one of the Torah giants of the generation.

On 27 Adar II 5746 (1986), another visit took place close to Passover, and the Rebbe demanded from the Chief Rabbis that they organize public 'Seder night' tables in the streets of the city at the initiative of the Chief Rabbinate. And on 11 Iyar 5749 (1989), among other things, they discussed the need and necessity of issuing a ruling that Moshiach must come immediately.

In practice, Rabbi Shapira avoided making the ruling at that time, despite Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu's appeal to him: "There are three of us here..." Years later, his son Rabbi Yaakov Elazar recounted during his visit to the Chabad House in the Balkans: "On the way back, I asked my father why he evaded it, but he answered me briefly: The Rebbe cannot judge in this... I was momentarily frightened. What do his words hint at, but he answered me half smiling and half seriously: In a ruling about Moshiach, Moshiach cannot be among the judges..."

After the visit in 5746 (1986), Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu and Rabbi Shapira mobilized to advance the Rebbe's proposal on the subject of conducting public Seders, and immediately after returning to Israel, they held a meeting with Chabad rabbis to consult on how to implement it.

Rabbi Shapira was an enthusiastic supporter of the Rebbe's takana (enactment) of studying the Rambam, participated several times in the completion ceremonies held in the Holy Land, and spoke about the greatness of the importance of the takana.

In addition, Rabbi Shapira supported the Rebbe's view on the integrity of the Land, and joined many times in the call to preserve Jewish ownership in the territories of Israel, and to avoid giving territories in exchange for illusory peace.

Towards the convention of shluchim (emissaries) in the Commonwealth of Independent States, which was held in 5752 (1992) after the collapse of the Iron Curtain of the Soviet Union, he sent a letter of blessing in which he wrote: "My blessings to the assembly of the important rabbis who devote themselves to holy work in the Commonwealth of Nations. There is uniqueness in the activities of Chabad rabbis in these countries, since in the days of evil and terrible decrees there on Jewish life, Chabad rabbis and their activists acted with self-sacrifice to keep the holy watch. And today that there has been relief, they continue to bring close and teach knowledge of God to the dispersed and lost ones and return them to the stronghold of Torah. And I repeat my blessing to the honorable assembly, that they should merit to magnify and glorify Torah and bring Israel closer to their Father in Heaven."

In 5755 (1995), he participated in writing a Torah collection in honor of the Rebbe and also gave several approbations to books by Chabad chassidim, including the books of Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpo (Yechi HaMelech), and the book of Rabbi Alter Eliyahu Friedman "Vechipper Admato Amo."

His Family

• Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Shapira
• Rabbi Benzion Shapira - Head of the Hertzi"h Institute
• Rabbi Yaakov Elazar Shapira - Head of Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva
• Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi Shapira - Director of Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva

His Books

• Shiurei Maran HaGR"A Shapira - General lectures delivered at Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva (six volumes. Editor: Rabbi Binyamin Rakover).
• Minchat Avraham - Rabbi Shapira's halachic rulings (four volumes).
• Morasha - Talks and articles on various topics, collected from speeches delivered over the years (two volumes - Volume 1 contains articles on hashkafa and faith, and Volume 2 on holidays and festivals).

External Links

• Tag: Rabbi Avraham Shapira on the website
• Special documentation: Visit of the Chief Rabbis to the Rebbe
• Rambam's Torah: Fascinating private audience of Rabbis Eliyahu and Shapira
• Rare documentation from the Chief Rabbis' visit to the Rebbe