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Reb Efraim Eliezer HaCohen Yolles (written in [[Yiddish]] as Yolles) (5 Shevat 1890 - 25 Cheshvan 1988) was the Gaavad of Sambor and Chief Rabbi of the Orthodox community in Philadelphia.
[[File:הרב יאלעס.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Rabbi Yolles speaking with the Rebbe at a [[farbrengen]] (Chassidic gathering)]]


== Life History ==
Rabbi '''Ephraim Eliezer HaKohen Yolles''' (spelled in [[Yiddish]]: '''יאלעס'''; [[5 Shevat]] [[5651]] / January 15, 1891 – [[25 Cheshvan]] [[5749]] / November 4, 1988) was the Gaavad (head of the rabbinical court) of Sambor and the Chief Rabbi of the Orthodox Jewish community of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Born to Reb Shalom HaCohen, who was the rabbi of Stry, and Esther Sheindel, on 5 Shevat 1890 in Sambor, Galicia - a descendant of Reb Uri of Sambor. He was educated by his father, who was a student of the Shoel Umeshiv, Reb Yosef Shaul Nathanson.


In 1913, he received his rabbinical ordination from Reb David Halevi Horowitz of Stanislov and Reb Nathan Levin of Reisha. From 1916, he was appointed as a dayan in the Beis Din of Stry.
== Biography ==
Rabbi Yolles was born in Sambor, Galicia, on [[5 Shevat]] [[5651]] (1891), to Rabbi Shalom HaKohen, who served as the rabbi of the city of Stry, and to Esther Sheindel. He was a descendant of Rabbi Uri of Sambor. He received his education from his father, who was himself a student of the ''Shoel u'Meshiv'' — Rabbi Yosef Shaul Natanson, the renowned halachic authority.


In 1921, he immigrated with his family to the United States and was appointed as rabbi of Kerem Israel congregation in Philadelphia. In 1948, he was appointed as the head rabbi of the Charedi community in Philadelphia.
In [[5673]] (1913), he was ordained for the rabbinate by Rabbi David HaLevi Horowitz of Stanislav and Rabbi Natan Levin of Rzeszów. From [[5676]] (1916) onward, he served as a dayan (rabbinical judge) on the rabbinical court of Stry.


In his later years, he was known as the Gaavad of Sambor or the Admor of Sambor, and served as honorary president of Agudas HaRabbonim of the United States and Canada. The leadership of Sambor Chassidus is continued by his grandson, Reb Uri Gladtzelter.
In [[5681]] (1921), he emigrated with his family to the [[United States]], where he was appointed rabbi of the congregation ''Kerem Yisrael'' in Philadelphia. In [[5708]] (1948), he was appointed head of the rabbinate of the Orthodox Jewish community of Philadelphia.
 
In his later years he was known by the title Gaavad of Sambor, or the Admor (Chassidic Rebbe) of Sambor, and served as honorary president of the Agudath HaRabbanim (Union of Orthodox Rabbis) of the United States and Canada. The leadership of the Sambor Chassidic dynasty is continued today by his grandson, Rabbi Uri Goldshlager.


== Relationship with the Rebbe ==
== Relationship with the Rebbe ==
After the Frierdiker Rebbe came to the United States, Reb Yolles asked him to study Kabbalah and Chassidus with him, and he directed him to his son-in-law, the Rebbe. After the Frierdiker Rebbe's passing in 1950, he urged his son-in-law the Rebbe to accept the nesius, and since then would regularly attend his farbrengens. He was close to the Rebbe and accepted him as his personal Rebbe, visiting him several times a year. From the Igros Kodesh series, it's evident that hundreds of Torah letters were exchanged between them, both in nigleh and Kabbalah. When Reb Yolles was asked a question about science and Torah in astronomy (a contradiction between the sun's size as written in Jewish sources versus its scientific size), he referred the question to the Rebbe. His level of hiskashrus and bitul to the Rebbe was well-known.
After the arrival of the [[Frierdiker Rebbe]] (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe) in the United States, Rabbi Yolles approached him with a request to study [[Kabbalah]] and [[Chassidus]] (Chassidic philosophy and mysticism) together. The Frierdiker Rebbe directed him instead to his son-in-law, [[the Rebbe]] (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson).


On 19 Kislev (when the Rebbe would write which masechta he would take in Chalukas HaShas), he would give his pen to the Rebbe. Afterward, the Rebbe would return it to him, saying yasher koach, and sometimes adding more.
Following the passing of the Frierdiker Rebbe in [[5710]] (1950), Rabbi Yolles strongly urged the Rebbe to accept the leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch upon himself.<ref>He wrote a formal letter of allegiance to the Rebbe and also sent letters to the Rebbe's close associates and family members, urging them to accept the Rebbe as the Nasi (leader) of Chabad and to work toward that end.</ref> From that point onward, Rabbi Yolles attended the Rebbe's [[Farbrengen|farbrengens]] regularly. He accepted the Rebbe as his personal rebbe and would come to him several times a year. The series of volumes known as [[Igros Kodesh]] — the collected correspondence of the Rebbe — attests that hundreds of letters on Torah subjects, both in [[nigleh]] (the revealed dimension of Torah law) and in Kabbalah, passed between them.


In Cheshvan 1956, he merited to hear from the Rebbe the maamar "Ashrei Tivchar" in yechidus, which was said in honor of his grandson's bris.
When Rabbi Yolles was once posed a question touching on the relationship between science and Torah — specifically, an apparent discrepancy between the size of the sun as recorded in Jewish sources and as measured by modern science — he referred the question to the Rebbe. His profound sense of connection and self-nullification before the Rebbe was widely noted.[[File:הרב יאללס אצל הרבי.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Rabbi Yolles meeting with [[the Rebbe]] at [[770 Eastern Parkway|770]]]]He had a long-standing custom: each year on [[19 Kislev]] (the Chabad "Festival of Liberation," marking the release of the Alter Rebbe from Czarist imprisonment in 1798) — at the moment when the Rebbe would draw lots to select which tractate of the Talmud he would study as part of the annual [[Chalukas HaShas]] (division of the Talmud among Chassidim) — Rabbi Yolles would hand the Rebbe his own pen. Afterward, the Rebbe would return it to him with a "Yasher koach" (well done), and sometimes added a few additional words.


At the 10 Shevat 1976 farbrengen where the Rebbe requested rabbis to rule that Eretz Yisroel belongs to Am Yisroel, he was one of the rabbis who stood to speak.
In [[Cheshvan]] [[5716]] (November 1955), he was privileged to receive a [[maamar]] (formal Chassidic discourse) from the Rebbe during a [[yechidus]] (private audience). The maamar, entitled ''[[Ashrei Tivchar 5716]]'', was delivered in honor of the [[bris]] (circumcision) of his grandson.


At the 11 Nissan 1983 farbrengen, as the Rebbe was leaving, he approached and spoke with the Rebbe for a short time. When finished, he held the Rebbe's hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it warmly in front of all the farbrengen participants.
At the [[farbrengen]] of [[Yud Shevat]] [[5736]] (January 20, 1976) — the anniversary of the Frierdiker Rebbe's passing, which also marks the anniversary of the current Rebbe's formal acceptance of the leadership — the Rebbe called upon rabbis present to publicly declare that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. Rabbi Yolles was among the rabbis who rose to speak.


== His Visits to the Rebbe on Chol HaMoed ==
[[File:יאלעס מנשק.jpeg|left|thumb|200px|Rabbi Yolles kissing the Rebbe's hand. 11 Nissan 5743 (April 4, 1983)]]
Reb Yolles would come to 770 every year to visit the Rebbe during Pesach and Sukkos, citing "one must greet their Rebbe on the festival." During every Chol HaMoed Pesach and Sukkos, Reb Yolles would come for Shacharis and Musaf on one of the days. He would receive an aliyah to the Torah, and after davening would enter for a quasi-yechidus with the Rebbe.


== His Visit on Chol HaMoed Pesach 1982 ==
At the [[farbrengen]] of [[11 Nissan]] [[5743]] (April 4, 1983), as the Rebbe was departing at the conclusion of the gathering, Rabbi Yolles approached and exchanged a few words with him. When he finished, he took the Rebbe's hand and drew it to his lips, kissing it warmly before the entire assembled crowd.
From the diary of 1982:


18 Nissan 1982
== His Annual Visits to the Rebbe on Chol HaMoed ==
Rabbi Yolles had a firm annual practice of traveling to [[770 Eastern Parkway|770]] to visit the Rebbe during [[Chol HaMoed]] (the intermediate days) of both [[Passover]] and [[Sukkos]]. His rationale, which he would cite explicitly, was the Talmudic obligation: ''chayav adam lehakbil pnei rabo b'regel'' — "one is obligated to greet his rebbe on the festival." Each Chol HaMoed, Rabbi Yolles would arrive for Shacharis (the morning prayer service) and Mussaf (the additional festival prayer) on one of the intermediate days. He would be honored with an [[aliyah]] (being called up to the Torah reading), and after davening (prayers) he would be received by the Rebbe in what functioned as a private audience.<ref>In the earlier years this took place in the Rebbe's private office; in later years it moved to Gan Eden HaTachton — the small anteroom adjacent to the Rebbe's study used for semi-private gatherings.</ref>


...Afterward, Reb Yolles approached him wearing a shtreimel and tallis, and the Rebbe smiled at him and spoke with him for several moments. Then Reb Yolles followed the Rebbe and went up with him in the elevator. When they exited the elevator, the Rebbe smiled (apparently having spoken with him in the elevator). Then he entered after the Rebbe together with his son-in-law and three grandchildren into Gan Eden HaTachton... 
=== His Visit on Chol HaMoed Pesach 5742 ===
The following account is drawn from a contemporary diary entry dated 18 Nissan 5742 (April 12, 1982):


The Rebbe smiled at him and approached the table standing in Gan Eden HaTachton, with a padded (rubber) chair for the Rebbe at the head of the table.
<blockquote>
...Afterward, Rabbi Yolles approached — dressed in his [[shtreimel]] (the fur-trimmed hat worn by Chassidic rabbis on Shabbos and Yom Tov) and [[tallis]] — and the Rebbe smiled at him and spoke with him for a few moments. Rabbi Yolles then followed behind the Rebbe and rode up with him in the elevator; when they emerged, the Rebbe smiled again (apparently having continued the conversation in the elevator). They then entered Gan Eden HaTachton together, along with Rabbi Yolles's son-in-law and three grandchildren. The Rebbe smiled at him and went to the table that stood in Gan Eden HaTachton, at the head of which was a padded (rubber) chair reserved for the Rebbe.


Then Reb Yolles sat, apparently on the small bench that was there, while the others stood. The conversation's content was: First, the Rebbe asked about his sefer, whether he would publish it ready to use bound. Then the Rebbe told him they would need to count "Sefiras HaOmer" until the sefer would be ready. Then he asked the Rebbe why the Rambam doesn't write about the mitzvah that one must greet their Rebbe on the festival. [This is the reason he comes every year to the Rebbe on Chol HaMoed Pesach]. Then he asked if Eretz Yisroel needs to be prepared for Moshiach by conquering it.
Rabbi Yolles sat, apparently on the small bench that was there, while the others stood. The conversation proceeded as follows: The Rebbe first asked him about his book — whether he was on track to have it finished and bound for use. He then told him that they would need to count the [[Sefirat HaOmer]] (the 49-day counting period between Passover and Shavuos) until the book would be ready. Afterward, Rabbi Yolles asked the Rebbe why the [[Rambam]] (Maimonides) does not write regarding the mitzvah of greeting one's rebbe on the festival. [This, he noted, is the reason he comes to the Rebbe each Chol HaMoed Pesach.] He then asked whether it is necessary to prepare the Land of Israel for [[Moshiach]] (the Messiah) by conquering it.


The Rebbe answered: One shouldn't go conquer because this is only through Moshiach when there's a Sanhedrin etc., only then can the land be conquered, but still shouldn't conquer now. And what's being discussed regarding Eretz HaKodesh isn't war but from the halacha in Shulchan Aruch Hilchos Shabbos Siman 329 that if non-Jews siege Jewish cities, even over straw and hay we desecrate Shabbos, and go out with weapons, and this applies even if it would happen chas v'shalom in Brooklyn as well, they would desecrate Shabbos etc. And here it's about pikuach nefesh and even though it's not part of Eretz Yisroel, by returning 'Yamit' and 'Atzmona' 'Chatzar Hadar' the border is 10 km closer to Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak and Kfar Chabad and this is more pikuach nefashos. The Rebbe expressed and said to him "Have you heard such nonsense?! That they're returning the territories, and also regarding Begin signing that in another 5 years r"l hyl"t, he would be together with the Palestinians" and also mentioned regarding Chabad chassidim visiting Begin to register him for a Sefer Torah, and said that Yamit isn't part of Eretz Yisroel and about this the Rebbe said as above that it's not about whether it's Eretz Yisroel but about pikuach nefesh and here there's someone willing to give up pikuach nefesh in order to receive budget for yeshivos... (When the Rebbe spoke about the situation in Eretz Yisroel he spoke strongly and firmly and with his holy hand made a dismissive gesture and struck the... etc.).
The Rebbe replied: One may not go to conquer, because conquest can only take place through Moshiach when there is a [[Sanhedrin]], and so forth — only then is conquest possible, and not before. What is being discussed regarding the Holy Land is not a matter of warfare, but rather of halachah: the ruling in [[Shulchan Aruch]], Orach Chaim, siman 329, that if non-Jews besiege Jewish towns — even over matters of straw and hay — one is obligated to violate [[Shabbos]] and go out armed. This applies even if such a situation were to arise, God forbid, in Brooklyn. Here we are speaking of pikuach nefesh (life-threatening danger), and even though the territories being discussed — Yamit, Atzmona, Chatzar Adar — are not formally part of Eretz Yisrael, by returning them the border moves 10 kilometers closer to Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Kfar Chabad — which represents a greater danger to life. The Rebbe expressed himself forcefully: "Have you heard of such foolishness?!" — returning territories. Regarding Begin having signed that in five years, God forbid, he would be together with the Palestinians — the Rebbe also mentioned that Chabad Chassidim had gone to Begin to enroll him in a Sefer Torah, and said: Yamit is not part of Eretz Yisrael — to which the Rebbe replied as above, that this is not about whether it is Eretz Yisrael, but about pikuach nefesh, and here is a man who is prepared to concede pikuach nefesh in order to receive a budget for yeshivos...


Then he asked what is the Rambam's order regarding Moshiach's coming. The Rebbe said it's written that a man from Beis David will arise etc. and will compel all of Israel and will be victorious, and still with all these qualities he's a simple person and only after he actually builds the Beis HaMikdash will he be Moshiach. Then the Rebbe told him regarding "We Want Moshiach Now" that "now" is gematria 57 which relates to "hazan" - the One who sustains and provides for the entire world with His goodness, which is the concept of "harchev picha va'amaleihu" [Chapter 81] both in gashmius and ruchnius. Then he said to the Rebbe that he is an elevated person above all the people and a neshama klalis and the head of Bnei Yisroel. The Rebbe also said "yasher koach" to him for not mentioning "aschalta d'geulah" in the mi shebeirach said in his shul.
(As the Rebbe spoke about the situation in Eretz Yisrael, he spoke strongly and forcefully, gesturing with his holy hand in a motion of dismissal and striking the...)


They stayed with the Rebbe for about 40 minutes, then stood to leave. The Rebbe spoke with him a bit more and smiled at him, and accompanied him to the entrance of Gan Eden HaTachton, watching him with a sharp gaze until he disappeared among the bochurim. Then the Rebbe went to take the siddur from the table [because they sat immediately after davening and the Rebbe was wrapped in his tallis] and entered his room.
Afterward, Rabbi Yolles asked what the Rambam's order is regarding the coming of Moshiach. The Rebbe replied: It is written that a man will arise from the house of David, and so forth, who will compel all of Israel and win victories — and yet even with all these qualities, he remains an ordinary human being. Only after he actually builds the [[Beis HaMikdash]] (the Holy Temple) in practice does he become Moshiach with certainty.


== His Final Visit Pesach 1988 ==
The Rebbe then spoke about the slogan "We Want Moshiach Now" — noting that the word ''now'' has the same numerical value (''gematria'') as the Hebrew word ''zan'' (56), which relates to the concept of ''hazan es hakol'' — God who nourishes all of creation — as in the verse ''Harchev picha va'amal'ehu'' ("Open your mouth wide and I will fill it," Psalms 81), referring to sustenance both material and spiritual.
From the 1988 diary: On Tuesday morning 18 Nissan 1988 after Shacharis, he arrived at 770 as he would do every year during Pesach to visit the Rebbe. The elderly gaon arrived accompanied by his sons and grandsons.


He waited at the entrance of Gan Eden HaTachton. When the Rebbe came up from the large zal and noticed him, he warmly shook his hand and then the Rebbe, R' Yolles, and his family members entered Gan Eden HaTachton. After some time, the other family members left and the Rebbe spoke with him privately.
Rabbi Yolles then told the Rebbe that he is a man elevated above all the people, like one who stands above the entire nation — a ''neshama klalit'' (a general soul, encompassing the souls of a generation) and the ''Rosh Bnei Yisrael'' (head of the children of Israel). The Rebbe also said "Yasher koach" to him for the fact that in the ''Mi Shebeirach'' (the communal blessing recited in his synagogue) there is no mention of ''Atchalta d'Geulah'' (the "beginning of the Redemption," a phrase used in Zionist contexts).


The visit lasted about half an hour. When R' Yolles took leave of the Rebbe, the Rebbe followed him out while two grandchildren supported him and helped him walk backwards as he didn't want to turn his back to the Rebbe. On the way to the exit, a chair was brought and R' Yolles (waiting for the car to take him) sat down.
They remained with the Rebbe for approximately 40 minutes. As they rose to leave, the Rebbe spoke with him a little more and smiled at him. The Rebbe escorted him to the entrance of Gan Eden HaTachton and watched him with a penetrating gaze until he disappeared among the young men. The Rebbe then went to take his siddur from the table — for they had sat down immediately after davening and the Rebbe had still been wrapped in his tallis — and entered his room.
</blockquote>


The Rebbe said to him the words "Yireh kohen b'Tzion" and then added that since it's now Yom Tov they should sing a joyous song. The crowd standing around burst into song "V'samachta b'chagecha" and the Rebbe encouraged the singing with his holy hands while looking with a radiant countenance at R' Yolles and all those around.
=== His Final Visit — Chol HaMoed Pesach 5748 ===
The following is drawn from a diary entry of 5748 (1988):


The Rebbe waited there for long minutes until the car carrying R' Yolles drove away from the place.
<blockquote>
On the morning of Tuesday, 18 Nissan 5748 (April 5, 1988), following Shacharis, he arrived at 770 as was his custom each Passover to visit the Rebbe. The elderly gaon arrived accompanied by his sons and grandchildren.


== His Seforim ==
He waited at the entrance to Gan Eden HaTachton. When the Rebbe ascended from the large hall and noticed him, he grasped his hand with great warmth, and then the Rebbe and Rabbi Yolles, together with his family members, entered Gan Eden HaTachton. After a time, the other family members withdrew and the Rebbe spoke with him privately.
R' Yolles authored various seforim, including:


- Divrei Efraim Eliezer, Philadelphia, 1983
The visit lasted approximately half an hour. As Rabbi Yolles took his leave of the Rebbe, the Rebbe came out after him to escort him, while two of his grandchildren supported him and helped him walk backward — for he did not wish to turn his back to the Rebbe. On the way to the exit, a chair was brought and Rabbi Yolles sat down to wait for the car that would take him.


- Kisvei Achiezer - clarification of halachos, attached to his brother's sefer - R' Yeshaya Asher Yolles, Shemen HaRosh, Stry, 1933
The Rebbe said to him the words ''Yireh Kohen b'Tzion'' ("May a Kohen behold [the service] in Zion" — an expression of the hope to see the rebuilt Temple and restored priestly service). He then added that since it was now Yom Tov, they should sing a joyous song. The assembled crowd broke into the melody of ''V'Samachta b'Chagecha'' ("And you shall rejoice on your festival"), and the Rebbe encouraged the singing with his holy hands, his face shining with a radiant expression as he looked at Rabbi Yolles and at all those around.


== Further Reading ==
The Rebbe waited there for long minutes until the car carrying Rabbi Yolles drove away from the spot.
- Shemen Sasson Meichaveirecha - pages 158-171
</blockquote>


- B'Sod Siach - pages 189-191
== Works ==
Rabbi Yolles authored several works, including:
* '''Divrei Ephraim Eliezer'''. Philadelphia, 5743 (1983).
* '''Kesovei Achiezer''' — halachic clarifications, appended to the work of his brother, Rabbi Yeshaya Asher Yolles: ''Shemen HaRosh''. Stry, 5693 (1933).


- Siach Sarfei Kodesh pages 194-197
== Further Reading ==
* ''Shemen Sason Mechaveirecha'', pp. 158–171.
* ''B'Sod Siach'', pp. 189–191.
* ''Siach Sarfei Kodesh'', pp. 194–197.
* [https://drive.google.com/file/d/114GrnHxnMB9oGOnj_-2HCDPoJzr6ZW72/view '''The Gaon Rabbi Ephraim Eliezer HaKohen Yolles zt"l'''] — ''Kfar Chabad Weekly'', issue 356, p. 31 ff.
* Menachem Bronfman, '''The Mekubalim and the Rebbe''', ''Kfar Chabad Weekly'', issue 1926, p. 123 ff.
* Mendy Cortez, '''Holding onto My Gartel''', ''Orchim'' supplement, issue 2081, p. 4 ff. (Sukkos 5785).


- Menachem Bronpman, The Mekubalim and the Rebbe, Kfar Chabad Weekly issue 1926 page 123
== External Links ==
* [https://col.org.il/news/130214 '''First Publication: Recording from Rabbi Yolles's Yechidus on 18 Nissan 5746'''] — COL.org.il
* [https://col.org.il/news/133875 '''Rebbe and Chassid: The Gaon Who Was Privileged to Receive a Maamar from the Rebbe in Yechidus'''] — COL.org.il
* [https://77012.blogspot.com/2023/04/blog-post_32.html '''How Did the Rebbe React to Rabbi Yolles's Effort to Participate in the Siyum HaRambam?'''] — Lachluchis Geulasit


- Mendy Kurtz, 'Hold onto my Gartel', Kfar Chabad Weekly, 'Orchim' supplement 2081 page 4 (Sukkos 5785)
== Notes ==
<references/>
[[he:אפרים אליעזר ילס]]
[[Category:Rabbonim]]
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