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==Ephraim Eliezer Yolles==
[[File:הרב יאלעס.jpg|thumb]]
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


== Life History ==
'''Ephraim Eliezer HaKohen Yolles''' (also spelled '''Yales''' in Yiddish; 5 Shevat 5651 – 25 Cheshvan 5749 / January 5, 1890 – November 25, 1988) was the rabbi of Sambor and later the Chief Rabbi of the Orthodox Jewish community of Philadelphia.
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==
He was born in Sambor, Galicia, to Rabbi Shalom HaKohen, the rabbi of the city of Stry, and Esther Sheindel. He was a descendant of Rabbi Uri of Sambor. He was educated by his father, who was a disciple of the ''She'elot u'Meshivot'', Rabbi Yosef Shaul Natanzon.


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 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 immigrated with his family to the United States and was appointed rabbi of the ''Kerem Yisrael'' congregation in Philadelphia. In 5708 (1948), he was appointed head of the rabbis of the Orthodox community of Philadelphia.


== Relationship with the Rebbe ==
In his later years he was known as the Gaavad (head of the rabbinical court) of Sambor, or the Admor of Sambor, and served as honorary president of the Agudath HaRabbanim of the United States and Canada. The leadership of the Sambor Chassidic dynasty is continued by his grandson, Rabbi Uri Geldzahler.
After [[The Rebbe Rayatz|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.


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.
==His Connection to the Rebbe==
After the arrival of the [[Frierdiker Rebbe|Frierdiker Rebbe]] (the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) in the United States, R' Yolles asked him to teach him Kabbalah and Chassidus. The Frierdiker Rebbe directed him to his son-in-law, [[The Rebbe|the Rebbe]] (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson).


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.
After the passing of the Frierdiker Rebbe in 5710 (1950), R' Yolles urged the Rebbe to accept the leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch.<ref>He sent the Rebbe a formal letter of commitment and wrote to the Rebbe's family and close associates, urging them to accept the Rebbe as the new Nasi (leader) of Chabad and to work toward that end.</ref> From that time on, R' Yolles attended the Rebbe's [[farbrengen|farbrengens]] (Chassidic gatherings) regularly. He accepted the Rebbe as his personal rabbi and would come to see him several times a year. The volumes of ''Igros Kodesh'' (the Rebbe's published correspondence) reflect hundreds of letters exchanged between the two, covering both Talmudic topics and Kabbalah.


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.
When R' Yolles was asked a question at the intersection of science and Torah — a contradiction between the size of the sun as recorded in Jewish texts and its size according to modern science — he referred the question to the Rebbe. His deep bond and sense of ''bitul'' (selfless devotion) to the Rebbe were widely known.


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.
On Yud-Tes Kislev — the Chassidic holiday celebrating the release of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad — when the Rebbe would designate which tractate of the Talmud he would take in the annual ''Chalukas HaShas'' (distribution of the Talmud's tractates for study), R' Yolles would hand the Rebbe his own pen for the writing. The Rebbe would return it, thank him, and sometimes add a further remark.


== His Visits to the Rebbe on Chol HaMoed ==
In Cheshvan 5716 (1955), the Rebbe recited a [[maamar|maamar]] (a formal Chassidic discourse) for R' Yolles privately during a [[yechidus|yechidus]] (private audience with the Rebbe), on the occasion of his grandson's [[bris]]. The maamar began with the verse ''Ashrei tivchar'' ("Fortunate is the one You choose").
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 Yud Shevat 5736 (1976) — the anniversary of the Frierdiker Rebbe's passing and the date on which the Rebbe formally accepted the leadership of Chabad — when the Rebbe called upon rabbis to rule that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people, R' Yolles was among those who rose to speak.
From the diary of 1982:


18 Nissan 1982
At the farbrengen of Yud-Alef Nissan 5743 (April 1983), as the Rebbe was departing, R' Yolles approached and spoke with him briefly. When he finished, he took the Rebbe's hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it warmly before the entire assembled crowd.


...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 Annual Visits on Chol HaMoed==
R' Yolles made it his custom to travel to [[770 Eastern Parkway]] — the Rebbe's headquarters in Brooklyn, New York — every Chol HaMoed (the intermediate days of a Jewish festival) of Passover and Sukkos, citing the principle that ''a person is obligated to appear before his rabbi on the festival.'' He would attend the morning prayers, receive an aliyah to the Torah, and afterward enter for what amounted to a private audience with the Rebbe.<ref>In the earlier years this took place in the Rebbe's private office; later it moved to ''Gan Eden HaTachton'' (the Rebbe's anteroom on the main floor of 770).</ref>


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.
===Chol HaMoed Passover 5742 (1982)===
From a diary entry dated 18 Nissan 5742:


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.
R' Yolles, wearing a shtreimel (a fur-trimmed Chassidic hat) and tallis, approached the Rebbe, who smiled at him and spoke with him for several minutes. R' Yolles then followed the Rebbe and rode with him in the elevator; when they emerged, the Rebbe was smiling — apparently they had continued speaking inside. R' Yolles then entered Gan Eden HaTachton together with the Rebbe, along with his son-in-law and three grandchildren. The Rebbe smiled at him and went to the table at the head of the room, where a padded chair had been set for him.


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.).
R' Yolles sat on a small bench nearby while the others stood. The conversation covered several topics: the Rebbe asked about R' Yolles's forthcoming book and whether it would be ready in bound form; he remarked that they would need to count the Omer before it would be finished. R' Yolles then asked why the Rambam (Maimonides) does not explicitly record the obligation to appear before one's rabbi on the festival — which was, he noted, his own reason for coming each year. He then asked whether it is necessary to conquer the Land of Israel in preparation for the coming of Mashiach (the Messiah).


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.
The Rebbe replied that conquest is not the path — that can only come through Mashiach himself, with a functioning Sanhedrin. What is at stake now, the Rebbe explained, is not a matter of conquest but of Jewish law as codified in the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law), in the laws of Shabbos (section 329): if non-Jews besiege Jewish towns — even over matters as minor as straw and hay — it is permitted to violate Shabbos to defend them, and this would apply even in Brooklyn. The issue here, the Rebbe said, is one of saving lives. Even if one argues that Yamit and the Sinai settlements are not technically part of the Land of Israel — by withdrawing them, the border moves ten kilometers closer to Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, and Kfar Chabad, and that constitutes a direct threat to life. The Rebbe said pointedly: ''Have you heard of such foolishness?'' — referring to those who would return the territories. He also addressed the agreement signed by Prime Minister Begin, warning of its consequences five years hence, and commented on the involvement of Chabad Chassidim with Begin regarding a Torah scroll, and on those willing to compromise on matters of saving lives in exchange for government funding for yeshivos. (When speaking about the situation in the Land of Israel, the Rebbe spoke with great force and emphasis, making a dismissive gesture with his holy hand.)


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.
R' Yolles then asked about the order of events described by the Rambam regarding the coming of Mashiach. The Rebbe explained that the Rambam writes that a man from the house of David will arise, compel all of Israel, and prevail — and yet even with all these achievements, he remains an ordinary person. Only after he actually rebuilds the Beis HaMikdash (the Holy Temple) does he attain the status of Mashiach with certainty.


== His Final Visit Pesach 1988 ==
The Rebbe then spoke about the phrase ''We Want Mashiach Now,'' noting that the word ''now'' (''nu'') has the numerical value of 56, which corresponds to the concept of ''zan'' — the one who nourishes and sustains the entire world in His goodness — and is related to the verse ''Open your mouth wide and I will fill it'' (Psalms 81:11), encompassing both material and spiritual sustenance.
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.
R' Yolles then said to the Rebbe that he is a man elevated above all the people — above the entire nation — a universal soul and the head of Israel. The Rebbe also thanked him for the fact that in the ''Mi Shebeirach'' (the synagogue prayer for the congregation's welfare) recited in R' Yolles's synagogue, the phrase ''the beginning of the Redemption'' was not included.


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.
The visit lasted approximately forty minutes. As they rose to leave, the Rebbe spoke with R' Yolles 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 students. The Rebbe then went to take his siddur (prayerbook) from the table — for they had sat down immediately after prayers and the Rebbe was still wrapped in his tallis — and entered his room.


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 — Passover 5748 (1988)===
From a diary entry of 5748:


The Rebbe waited there for long minutes until the car carrying R' Yolles drove away from the place.
On the morning of Tuesday, 18 Nissan 5748, following Shacharis (the morning prayer service), R' Yolles arrived at 770 as was his annual custom, accompanied by his sons and grandchildren.


== His Seforim ==
He waited at the entrance to Gan Eden HaTachton. When the Rebbe came up from the main hall and noticed him, he shook his hand warmly, and they entered Gan Eden HaTachton together with R' Yolles's family. After a time, the family members left, and the Rebbe spoke with R' Yolles privately.
R' Yolles authored various seforim, including:


- Divrei Efraim Eliezer, Philadelphia, 1983
The visit lasted approximately half an hour. When R' Yolles took his leave, the Rebbe accompanied him out — while R' Yolles walked backward, supported by two of his grandchildren, unwilling to turn his back to the Rebbe. A chair was brought, and R' Yolles sat to wait for his car.


- 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 be seen in Zion") — a blessing expressing the hope that R' Yolles, a Kohen, would live to see the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem — and then added that since it was Yom Tov (a festival day), they should sing a joyful song. Those gathered broke into ''V'Samachta b'Chagecha'' ("And you shall rejoice on your festival"), with the Rebbe encouraging the singing with his hands, his face radiant as he looked at R' Yolles and those around him.


== Further Reading ==
The Rebbe remained there for several long minutes, until the car carrying R' Yolles had driven away.
- Shemen Sasson Meichaveirecha - pages 158-171


- B'Sod Siach - pages 189-191
==Works==
* ''Divrei Ephraim Eliezer''. Philadelphia, 5743 (1983).
* ''Kesavim Achiezer'' — halachic discussions, appended to the work of his brother Rabbi Yeshayah Asher Yolles, ''Shemen HaRosh''. Stry, 5693 (1933).


- Siach Sarfei Kodesh pages 194-197
==Notes==
<references/>


- Menachem Bronpman, The Mekubalim and the Rebbe, Kfar Chabad Weekly issue 1926 page 123
==Further Reading==
* ''Shemen Sasson Mechaveirecha'', pp. 158–171.
* ''B'Sod Siach'', pp. 189–191.
* ''Siach Sorfei Kodesh'', pp. 194–197.
* [https://drive.google.com/file/d/114GrnHxnMB9oGOnj_-2HCDPoJzr6ZW72/view "HaGaon HaAdir Rabbi Ephraim Eliezer HaKohen Yolles"], ''Kfar Chabad Weekly'', issue 356, p. 31ff.
* Menachem Bronfman, "HaMekubalim v'HaRebbe," ''Kfar Chabad Weekly'', issue 1926, p. 123ff.
* Mendy Kortes, "Achoz b'Gartel Sheli," supplement ''Orchim'', issue 2081, p. 4ff (Sukkos 5785).


- Mendy Kurtz, 'Hold onto my Gartel', Kfar Chabad Weekly, 'Orchim' supplement 2081 page 4 (Sukkos 5785)
==External Links==
* [https://col.org.il/news/130214 First publication: Recording from R' Yolles's yechidus on 18 Nissan 5746] — COL
* [https://col.org.il/news/133875 Admor and Chassid: The Gaon who merited the Rebbe reciting a maamar for him in yechidus] — COL
* [https://77012.blogspot.com/2023/04/blog-post_32.html How the Rebbe responded to R' Yolles's effort to participate in the Siyum HaRambam] — Lachluchis Geulasit


[[Category:Personalities in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Rabbonim]]
[[Category:Rabbonim]]
[[he:אפרים אליעזר ילס]]
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