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Rabbi Eliyahu Chaim Meisel | |
|---|---|
הרב אליהו חיים מייזל | |
 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | June 9, 1821 |
| Died | May 1, 1912 |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Spouse | Minah Meisel |
| Children | Chana Musha Segal, Natan Note Meisels |
| Parent(s) | Moshe Meizel (father), Chaya Meizlish (mother) |
| Denomination | Orthodox Judaism |
| Yeshiva | Volozhin Yeshiva |
| Buried | Łódź, Poland |
| Semikhah | Yitzhak of Volozhin |
Eliyahu Chaim Meisel (June 9, 1821 – May 1, 1912) was an Orthodox rabbi who served as the Chief Rabbi of Łódź from 1873 until his death. Renowned for his scholarship, humility, and dedication to his community, Rabbi Meisel was instrumental in expanding the Jewish community in Łódź, Poland, during a period of significant growth and industrialization.
Early life and education
[edit]Eliyahu Chaim Meisel was born in Horodok, Vilna Guberniya, in the Russian Empire (now Horodok, Ukraine) on June 9, 1821.[1] His father, Moshe Meizel, was a successful businessman and a Rabbi, who was well-regarded by both Jewish and non-Jewish leaders, including the Emperor.[2] Eliyahu Chaim showed early promise in his studies and attended the prestigious Volozhin Yeshiva, where he studied alongside prominent future rabbinic leaders, including Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (Beis Halevi) of Brisk and Yitzchak Elchanan Spektor.[2] At the young age of 13, he received his rabbinic ordination from Yitzhak of Volozhin.[3] Shortly thereafter, he married the daughter of Rabbi Yaakov of Karlin.[4]
Career
[edit]Rabbi Meisel began his rabbinic career at the age of 17 as the rabbi of his hometown, Horodok.[1] He subsequently served as the rabbi of several other communities, including Drazin (1843–1861), where he showed heroic dedication during a deadly epidemic, and Prozan (1861–1867), where he successfully reduced the number of young Jewish men conscripted into the Russian Army by 500 per year.[5] His tenure in Łomża (1867–1879) was marked by his efforts to protect his community from the oppressive policies of the Russian government.[5]
In 1873, Rabbi Meisel was elected as the Chief Rabbi of Łódź, a position he held until his death.[4] His leadership coincided with a period of rapid growth in Łódź, as the Jewish population increased from approximately 10,000 to about 160,000, making up over a third of the city's population.[1] Rabbi Meisel worked tirelessly to meet the religious and social needs of this expanding community. He was instrumental in the establishment of several key institutions, including the Poznański Hospital, the vocational Talmud Torah school for boys, and an orphanage.[4]
Advocacy and social work
[edit]Although Rabbi Meisel was a product of the Litvak tradition, he earned the respect and affection of the Hasidic community in Łódź.[1] He was deeply committed to social justice and often intervened on behalf of the poor and downtrodden. For example, during a particularly harsh winter, Rabbi Meisel visited a wealthy banker, Reb Isaac, to request firewood for 50 impoverished families. He insisted on standing outside in the freezing cold until the banker agreed to his request, emphasizing the importance of understanding the suffering of others.[2]
Rabbi Meisel also took practical steps to support Jewish workers who were being replaced by non-Jewish laborers in Łódź. He financed his own factory, where he employed only Jews, and even proposed the establishment of an agricultural ranch to train Jews for immigration to Palestine, though this plan was met with opposition.[5]
His advocacy extended beyond Łódź. Fluent in Russian, Rabbi Meisel often represented the Jewish community in delegations to the Tsarist authorities. His ability to navigate the complex political landscape of the time earned him respect from both Jewish and non-Jewish leaders.[1] He was also a member of the rabbinic delegation sent to Saint Petersburg in 1894, alongside Rabbi Shmuel Mohilever, Rabbi Hillel Slanter, and Rabbi Zvi Hirsch Rabinowitz, to discuss issues affecting the Jewish community.[5]
Death and legacy
[edit]Rav Meisel is remembered for his unwavering dedication to his community and his tireless efforts on behalf of the Jewish people. He is credited with preventing pogroms in Łódź and protecting Jewish interests in the city and beyond.[1][4] Despite his deep involvement in public affairs, Rabbi Meisel was known for his humility and simplicity. When he was invited to assume the position of Chief Rabbi of Łódź, he refused the elaborate welcome arranged for him, choosing instead to arrive quietly and focus on his work.[2]
He passed away on May 1, 1912, in Łódź. His funeral was attended by thousands, and he was mourned as a father to the poor and a leader of his people.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f YIVO Encyclopedia of Jews in Eastern Europe, "Meisel, Eliyahu Ḥayim"
- ^ a b c d "Rav Eliyahu Chaim Maizel", The Jewish Press
- ^ "Rabbi Eliyahu Chaim Meisel", Geni
- ^ a b c d e "Living Legacy: Rav Eliyohu Chaim Meisel, Zt'l, Upon His 110th Yohrtzeit", Rockland Daily
- ^ a b c d Eilat Gordin Levitan, "Rabbi Eliyahu Chaim Meisel"