ASHDOD, Israel — The community of Ashdod was plunged into mourning on Friday following the sudden passing of Rav Eliyahu Ezriel Greenwald z”l, a beloved Belzer chossid and one of the city’s foremost experts in the crafting of batim for tefillin. He was 55.

Rav Greenwald collapsed inside the Belzer Beis Pinchas beis medrash in Ashdod. His son, who happened to be in the building at the time, immediately began performing CPR, but despite the rescue efforts, Rav Greenwald was unable to be revived and returned his soul to his Creator.

Born on the 4th of Elul, 5731 (1971), Rav Greenwald was the son of Rav Chaim Greenwald, a distinguished Belzer talmid chochom renowned for his mastery of both the revealed and hidden dimensions of Torah, and Mrs. Sarah Greenwald, daughter of Rav Elazar Halevi Deitsch, one of the elder and respected Belzer chassidim in the United States and Yerushalayim.

His grandfather was Rav Yisrael Greenwald, the son of Rav Nachum Greenwald, brother of the Arugas HaBosem. Rav Chaim Greenwald also merited to spend time in the presence of his distinguished relative, the Pupa Rebbe, author of Vayaged Yaakov, during the Rebbe’s final days while studying in Serdahel.

In 1976, when he was just five years old, Rav Greenwald immigrated with his family to Eretz Yisroel. During his childhood, he received his early education directly from his father, who chose to teach his children personally rather than enroll them in a Talmud Torah.

As a bochur, he continued his studies in the Belzer yeshiva on Agripas Street in Yerushalayim. After marrying the daughter of Rav Berel Yakubovitz, he established his home in Ashdod, where he became a well-known and respected member of the Belzer community.

For many years, Rav Greenwald supported his family as a highly regarded batim-maker, producing tefillin batim that met the most exacting halachic standards. He earned a reputation as one of the leading craftsmen in the field, and his work was trusted by many seeking mehudar tefillin.

Friends and acquaintances remember him as a quiet, unassuming, and humble yungerman whose kindness matched his modesty. He was known for helping others whenever he could, performing countless acts of chesed without seeking recognition.

The levayah took place Friday afternoon, departing from his home on Yanai Street in Ashdod’s District 7 before passing through the Belzer Beis Pinchas beis medrash. He was laid to rest in the Kehillas Machzikei HaDas section of the Ashdod cemetery.

He is survived by his family, friends, and a grieving community that deeply valued his warmth, humility, and lifelong dedication to Torah and mitzvos.

Yehi zichro baruch.