Eliyahu Yeichil-Simpson

Rabbi Eliyahu Yeichil-Simpson (1 Tammuz 5649 - 29 Kislev 5737) was one of the chozrim (those who would memorize and repeat) for the Rebbe Rashab, served as gabbai for the Rebbe Rayatz, was a board member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad in the United States, and a board member of Tomchei Tmimim New York. He was considered deeply connected to our Rebbeim, and thus the Rebbe called him "Ne'eman Bayis" (trusted member of the household).

Life HistoryEdit

Born on Rosh Chodesh Tammuz 5649 to his father Rabbi Shimon Aharon and his mother Mrs. Henka in Bobruisk, White Russia.

At only age 12 in 5661, he entered to study at Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch, and studied there and in its various branches for fifteen years, making him one of the tmimim who studied for the longest period in Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch.

During his time at Tomchei Tmimim, he was considered an "oved" who would spend long times in prayer, a practice he continued throughout his life. In later years, prominent Tomchei Tmimim graduates Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Havlin, head of Yeshivas Toras Emes, and the mashpia Rabbi Alter Simchovitz wrote letters recalling Rabbi Simpson's devotion to prayer.

During his years in Tomchei Tmimim, he invested all his powers and brilliant talents in studying nigleh and chassidus. After several years of deep study in Gemara and halacha, he received rabbinical ordination from the Gaon Rabbi Dovid Tzvi Chen, Rabbi of Chernigov, and from his childhood friend the Gaon Rabbi Leib Sheinin, Rabbi of Dokshitz.

Rabbi Simpson as a Chozer of the Rebbe RashabEdit

As a student in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Lubavitch, Rabbi Simpson was for over ten years one of the important chozrim of the The Rebbe Rashab. During the years he served as gabbai to the Rebbe Rayatz, he would sometimes repeat the sichos and maamarim and also write hanachos that were distributed among the chassidim. With the Rebbe, he would sometimes write hanachos for personal use only.

In 5673, when the Rebbe Rayatz was far from Lubavitch in Berlin, Germany, on his way to Switzerland, he requested Rabbi Simpson to send him weekly summaries of the maamar that the Rebbe Rashab said on Shabbos.

For a long period, Rabbi Simpson served as a chozer and manich for the Rebbe Rashab. During the saying of a chassidic discourse, he would concentrate on the Rebbe's words and they would be stored in his mind as if in a box. After reviewing the maamar, he would merit to enter together with several other chozrim to the Rebbe Rashab from whom they would hear corrections, additions and explanations to the maamar, and in the following days, the task of writing the hanacha from the maamar fell upon his shoulders.

"Among the Greatest Chozrei Dach in Lubavitch"Edit

The Rebbe added in his holy handwriting to Rabbi Simpson's tombstone draft the words: "Among the greatest chozrei dach in Lubavitch" and so he also wrote in a letter of consolation to the Simpson family. And to Mr. Zalman Shazar the Rebbe wrote about Rabbi Simpson that he was "among the chief chozrim and tofsim (graspers)."

Several years after his marriage, the Rebbe Rashab sent him to serve as mashpia in Odessa where he served in this role for several years.

Among the Leaders of Agudas Chassidei ChabadEdit

In 5683 he immigrated to the United States, and in order to immigrate to the United States, he changed his family name to Simpson. He settled with his family in New York.

Within a short time since arriving in the USA, he became one of the chief activists and operators in Chabad affairs. He was among the founders of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and Agudas HaTmimim and was appointed as a board member of many Chabad organizations that existed then in New York.

He merited to receive important instructions from the Rebbe Rayatz regarding Chabad matters in the United States. He sent financial contributions to the Rebbe Rayatz's causes even from his personal funds when his financial situation was not elevated, and there were times when the Rebbe Rayatz expressed his amazement that Rabbi Simpson contributed more than his means.

Rabbi of Congregation Ahavas AchimEdit

In the United States, he served as rabbi of Congregation Ahavas Achim Tzemach Tzedek in Boro Park for fifty years. Every Shabbos throughout his years as synagogue rabbi, he would recite a chassidic discourse by heart during Raava D'Raavim (the time of Shalosh Seudos).

At the beginning of 5684, the Rebbe Rayatz instructed three chassidim, including Rabbi Simpson, to organize the establishment of Agudas Chassidei Chabad. After additional letters and awakening activities from the three, in the month of Menachem Av 5684, Agudas Chassidei Chabad was established in the United States under the leadership of R' Moshe Eliezer Kramer and Rabbi Dovid Shifrin.

In 5685, R' Moshe Eliezer Kramer passed away and the leadership of Aguch was changed and expanded with several presidents appointed to Aguch, including Rabbi Simpson. In subsequent years there were changes in Aguch's leadership, and Rabbi Simpson was always a board member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad.

The Rebbe Rayatz Stays at Rabbi Simpson's HomeEdit

When the Rebbe Rayatz visited the United States in 5689-5690, he stayed for several days at Rabbi Simpson's home. Before the start of the Rebbe Rayatz's journey in the United States, discussions were held at Agudas Chassidei Chabad about where to host the Rebbe Rayatz, and finally it was decided on the new building of the Lubavitch synagogue 'Ahavas Achim Tzemach Tzedek' under Rabbi Simpson's management. The synagogue, whose construction had just been completed and had not yet been used for prayer and residence, was located on the first floor while the second floor was designated for the Simpson family's residence.

On 12 Elul 5689, the Rebbe Rayatz arrived in New York, and from the port went to Rabbi Simpson's new house. Initially, the Rebbe and his escorts entered the synagogue floor where several distinguished chassidim received the Rebbe, and from there the Rebbe went up to the second floor to the residential apartment. The house was under New York Police protection, and within a short time about two thousand people gathered around it. The Rebbe Rayatz came out to the balcony together with Rabbi Simpson and several other distinguished chassidim including: The Rashag, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lokshin, Rabbi Mordechai Dubin, and Rabbi Shlomo Aharon Kazarnovsky, and the Rebbe spoke briefly to the crowd.

Serving as Gabbai of the Rebbe RayatzEdit

In 5700, when the Rebbe Rayatz was rescued from the Holocaust and arrived in the United States, Rabbi Simpson was appointed as gabbai of the Rebbe Rayatz. He filled this role for ten years, until the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz.

The main part of this role was to usher people in for yechidus (private audience). However, due to the Rebbe Rayatz's health issues, not many were able to understand his speech articulation, so Rabbi Simpson would enter with most visitors during yechidus to help them understand the Rebbe's words.

For nearly ten years, Rabbi Simpson would frequently come and go to the Rebbe Rayatz due to his role. When he was present during yechidus with visitors, he knew firsthand all the Chabad secrets, but, being a highly trusted confidant, he never opened his mouth and never told what he heard and saw.

The Torah Scroll of MoshiachEdit

Rabbi Simpson served by appointment of the Rebbe Rayatz as responsible for the Torah scroll of Moshiach, and handled it with dedication from the beginning of its writing through its completion and in the following years until his passing in 5737.

He had an additional role in matters of Moshiach - he was among those responsible for distributing the Kriah V'hakedushah bulletins.

Acceptance of the Nesius and Among the Most ConnectedEdit

Rabbi Eliyahu Simpson knew the Rebbe closely, due to his being among the important Chabad activists in the United States and gabbai of the Rebbe Rayatz. The first acquaintance was formed following the Rebbe Rayatz's instruction to a group of chassidim, including Rabbi Simpson, to receive his son-in-law upon his arrival to the United States on 28 Sivan 5701. He consulted the Rebbe about every step in his life, and he also educated his descendants that every step taken should be considered whether it is according to the Rebbe's will. The Rebbe, for his part, showed special respect to Rabbi Simpson.

Working for the Acceptance of the NesiusEdit

He worked extensively toward the Rebbe's acceptance of the nesius (leadership). Immediately after the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz, it was clear to Rabbi Simpson that the Rebbe was the successor, and because of this he did much to ensure the Rebbe would accept the nesius. From then until his last day, he was connected with heart and soul to the Rebbe. He merited that his son, Rabbi Shalom Mendel Simpson, served as the Rebbe's secretary.

Already on 11 Shevat 5710, the day after the passing, at a meeting of Anash that took place at 770, Rabbi Simpson spoke publicly about the obligation to continue the chain of Chabad Rebbes and about the duty to strengthen the connection to Beis Chayeinu. In meetings held during that period, Rabbi Simpson was among the first to encourage Anash to ask and demand from the Rebbe to accept upon himself the yoke of Chabad leadership.

The Rebbe's secretary Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner related: "Rabbi Simpson was among the first to begin working immediately to ensure the Rebbe would accept the nesius. In all the important meetings of elder chassidim during that period, he spoke about the obligation to do everything possible so that 'the Ramash' would accept the nesius. Also in the year following the passing, he frequently entered for yechidus with the Rebbe to discuss the matter of accepting the nesius, transferring the Rebbe Rayatz's library to the Rebbe's possession, and other very sensitive and important matters related to the Rebbe's family."

In wise ways, he worked together with his friends, important chassidim, to ensure the Rebbe would accept the nesius, while being careful that no one would speak improperly about any member of 'Beis HaRav'.

Building a Platform for the RebbeEdit

In the months following the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz, large crowds packed into the 'small zal' during the Rebbe's farbrengens. Hearing well was certainly difficult, and seeing was impossible. Some suggested building a platform, but they feared the Rebbe's reaction. Despite the fear of disappointment, Rabbi Simpson with his golden hands prepared a low platform that could be quickly assembled and disassembled so it wouldn't take up space.

The Rebbe at Rabbi Simpson's SynagogueEdit

On 24 Iyar 5711, the Rebbe visited Rabbi Simpson's synagogue. This was for the bris milah of his grandson, son of his daughter Mrs. Kreina and son-in-law Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Rosenfeld. The Rebbe was the sandek and the baby was named after the Rebbe Rayatz - Yosef Rosenfeld. At the seudas mitzvah after the bris, the Rebbe spoke about bris milah and hiskashrus to the Rebbe.

His PassingEdit

Passed away on 29 Kislev 5737, and was buried in Montefiore Cemetery. The Rebbe participated in his funeral.

His FamilyEdit

His son, Rabbi Shalom Mendel Simpson - secretary of the Rebbe.
His son, R' Aryeh Zev Simpson - jeweler and jewelry merchant, philanthropist, and among the distinguished members of the Chabad community in Boro Park.
His son, R' Shimon Aharon Simpson - son-in-law of R' Binyamin Gorodetzky.
His daughter, Mrs. Miriam - (passed away on 20 Kislev 5773) wife of Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber Gordon (24 Iyar 5681 - last day of Pesach 5761).
His son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Feldman - shliach of our Rebbeim in Baltimore (passed away on 16 Kislev 5768).
His daughter Mrs. Esther, wife of Rabbi Moshe Pesach Goldman - served as a teacher in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Ocean Parkway and board member of Central Tzeirei Agudas Chabad.
His daughter Kreina, wife of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Rosenfeld, board member of Central Tomchei Tmimim Yeshivos in Brooklyn, and rabbi of the Chabad synagogue in Boro Park.

His LegacyEdit

Beis Eliyahu SynagogueEdit

The synagogue Ahavas Achim Tzemach Tzedek which he managed for about fifty years, had the name "Beis Eliyahu" added after his passing to commemorate Rabbi Eliyahu Simpson.

Chassid Ne'eman - Book of Biography, Activities and WritingsEdit

His descendants published the book 'Chassid Ne'eman' edited by R' Shneur Zalman Berger, documenting Rabbi Simpson's life story and detailing the stages of his life and the many activities in which he was involved.

The book documents:

His study period in Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch when he was a chozer for the Rebbe Rashab
His role as mashpia in Odessa
His role as rabbi of the Chabad synagogue in Boro Park
His leadership in Agudas Chassidei Chabad in the United States
His chairmanship of Agudas HaTmimim
His service as gabbai to the Rebbe Rayatz
His deep connection to the Rebbe
Letters from our Rebbeim to Rabbi Simpson
Letters from our Rebbeim's secretaries to Rabbi Simpson
The customs of the Rebbe Rashab as recorded by Rabbi Simpson
Notes from the Rebbe Rayatz's words
The Rebbe's words to Rabbi Simpson during holiday meals in the Rebbe Rayatz's apartment

The editor R' Shneur Zalman Berger received extensive material from Rabbi Simpson's descendants along with rare photographs. In addition to locating information from various sources, the editor made a special journey across the United States to interview family members and important chassidim, who added much information about Rabbi Simpson. From all these sources, the book 'Chassid Ne'eman' was compiled.