BDE: Haga’on Rav Eliyahu Fisher, zt”l, Longtime Gerer Rosh Hakolel, Renowned Posek

From Eretz Yisroel comes the sad news of the passing of Haga’on Rav Eliyahu Fisher, zt”l, a legend in the Gerer community in America, and in the Gerer Chassidus in general.

The sad news comes on selichos night—a time when he would bring in the Days of Awe with the first selichos, in his extremely powerful and emotion-laden voice. He had just surpassed his eightieth birthday.

Rav Elya was born in Bnei Brak in the year 1941 to his father Reb Shlomo Zalman Halevi Fisher. He learned in the Gerer yeshivos, where he became known as a masmid and talmid chochom.

In the 1970’s, he was send by the Lev Simcha, the father of the current Rebbe shlit”a, to establish the Gerer kollel in Boro Park. Under his dedicated leadership, the Gerer kollel produced countless talmidei chachomim. It was his example of extreme hasmodoh, not wasting a moment, and never coming even a moment late to the sedorim in all the years, that served as the primary motivator to the yungeleit. He guided them with love and dedication.

In the 1990’s, the Pnei Menachem of Ger appointed him a member of the Gerer Beis Din in America—and throughout this time he was looked upon with awe as a central pillar of the community here.

Rav Elya was a tremendous ba’al darshan, and would frequently headline major events—within Ger and without—where his booming voice would espouse Torah brilliance and fierce mussar.

Approximately a decade ago, he became very unwell, and moved to Chatzor, in northern Eretz Yisroel, where he was cared for by admirers. These years were challenging ones for him.

Although he did not leave behind biological children—the Gerer kehillah in America, and its many talmidei chachomim are in large part his personal legacy, as he concludes a lifetime completely dedicated to learning and teaching Torah, and producing countless talmidim who will continue to uphold his legacy.

Yehi Zichro Baruch.