By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times

Finally, finally, we can learn and enjoy the remarkable shmuessim of Rav Elya Svei zatzal.

Rav Elya Svei zatzal (1924-2009) was not only the Rosh Yeshiva of the Philadelphia Yeshiva together with ylc”t Rav Shmuel Kamenetsky, and a leader on Moetzes Gedolei Torah – he was the recognized Talmid Muvhak of Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l. The illustrious Roshei of Lakewood would not move without him.

Sefer Ruach Eliyahu, written in Lashon HaKodesh, was just printed on Bereishis and Shmos. It was culled together from cassette tapes of shmuessim that he delivered in Yeshiva as well as those that he delivered in various venues wherever he spoke.

The Sefer is an incredible work. The heartfelt themes are clearly organized and Rav Elya’s very special koach haTziur is brought out beautifully. The Sefer is filled with precious nuggets of Rav Elya’s mussar thought.

NOT TO MAKE CALCULATIONS IN KIDDUSH HASHEM

In Parsha VaEirah (p. 351) Rav Elya discusses the Aveirah of Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen at the Mei Merivah. He cites the Baal HaTurim that they did not make a kal vachomer from the behavior of the frogs. Of course, this aveirah was in the form of Dakei Dakos – barely detectable and subtle, but Rav Elya explains that in terms of Kiddush hashem we do not make chesbonos – calculations. Rather, we should listen straight to the dvar Hashem. Rav Elya applies it to Bnei Yeshiva now. Often we make calculations that we can learn longer if we do “action X.” The fact is, however, the Torah forbids action X and we should not be making these calculations. This is an important lesson in modern times and underscores the tremendous loss we suffer in that the Rosh Yeshiva is not with us.

EMULATING HASHEM

In Parshas Ki Sisa (p. 496), Rav Elya cites the Tomer Devorah’s explanation of emulating Hashem. Thus when someone sins against you and apologizes try to become closer to him after his apology just like Hashem does to us when we do Teshuvah. The natural tendency would be, “things can never be the same” – but Rav Elya has us emulating Hashem in that regard. Truly, a remarkable thought.

HAKARAS HATOV

In Parshas Shmos (p. 320) Rav Elya asks how Moshe Rabbeinu could have agreed to a shidduch with Tzipporah, who had a father who imprisoned him for ten years and was so bent on Avodah Zarah. Rav Elya answers that it was on account of Moshe Rabbeinu’s remarkable feeling of Hakaras HaTov – that he had for Tzipporah who had fed him for those ten years. The message to us, of course, is the focus we must all have in developing this midah.

HONESTY AND GOOD MIDOS

In Parshas Tetzaveh, Rav Elya explains a verse in Malachi (2:7) regarding the Kohanim. He explains that now, Bnei Torah are carriers of the Mesorah to the next generation. Because of their role, they must develop good midos and develop unimpeccable honesty and yashrus. Otherwise, their message cannot be transferred.

SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR OUR CHILDREN

In Parshas Vayishlach (page 236), he explains how Aharon HaKohen’s performance of the Mitzvos in lighting the Menorah had an impact on the mesirus nefesh of his descendants the Chashmonayim. It was an influence in the zeal and performance of his Mitzvos. By the same token, Rav Elya zatzal points out, the zeal and the manner in which we perform Mitzvos has an effect and an impact on our children and grandchildren. They see how we daven, and our seriousness and kavana when we recite brachos. And, in turn, they daven beautifully and recite brachos with intensity. This lasts for many, many generations.

The sefer is filled with numerous foundational themes in Torah, in Chinuch, and in our Avodas Hashem. It has an excellent table of contents and has 511 pages of content. It does not have an index, but this will probably be found in the second volume of the work.

I was zocheh to have developed a relationship with the Rosh Yeshiva zatzal. I saw his remarkable passion for Torah, Mitzvos, and yosher – and his great sense of humor. He also had an unparalleled sense of achrayus and love for Klal Yisroel. Rav Elya was the founding force of Sinai Academy, that has done and continues to do remarkable work – bringing those who are entirely unaffiliated to Yiddishkeit and making them into true Bnei Torah.

This sefer, in my opinion, accurately conveys the Rosh Yeshiva’s insights and passion. I am very grateful to those who put the tremendous effort in putting this Sefer together. The general editor was Rav Kalman Avrohom Deutsch and the editor was Rav Yitzchok Menachem Gutman. The Sefer was dedicated by the family of Rav Avrohom Yitzchok Schwartzman in his memory. The Sefer is available at fine Seforim stores.

The reviewer can be reached at [email protected]