It appears on street signs in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Netanya, Lod, and beyond. The fact thatso many streets are named for someone who passed away as recently as 2010 reflects thetremendous impact Rav Eliyahu had on Israeli society and on countless individuals.

Rav Mordechai Eliyahu was born in Jerusalem in 1929, the son of a leading kabbalist. At just 28,he became the youngest member ever to serve as a judge in the Israeli rabbinical courts, anearly recognition of his remarkable scholarship. He later served as the Sephardic Chief Rabbi ofIsrael from 1983 to 1993, becoming one of the most influential halachic authorities of hisgeneration. He authored numerous works on halacha, and his teachings and rulings have beenpublished in dozens of books.

Rav Eliyahu was respected across a wide spectrum of religious communities in Israel; he wasthe rare figure whose authority transcended internal divisions. He did not remain confined tothe Beit Midrash, though he spent countless hours there immersed in study. For Rav Eliyahu,Torah was not theoretical; it was meant to guide people in the practical realities of life.

He grappled with big-picture questions of public policy, security, and the challenges facingIsraeli society. At the same time, he made himself available to individuals seeking help withtheir own challenges.

He visited IDF bases regularly, speaking with soldiers and addressing the complexities ofobserving halacha in the context of military service. He also received a steady stream of peoplewho lined up outside his home each day with real-life questions involving medical decisions,financial dilemmas, and family challenges.

Rav Eliyahu was also known for his special sensitivity to widows and orphans, making time forpeople who might otherwise have been overlooked.

My business partner, Eliezer Goldberg, once shared an interaction that captures the essenceand humility of Rav Eliyahu. A client who deeply admired him hesitated to move forward withthe purchase of an apartment in Jerusalem’s Givat Mordechai neighborhood, where Rav Eliyahulived, without first receiving his guidance and blessing.

When asked whether it was a good deal, Rav Eliyahu refrained from offering a ruling. Instead,he directed the question to his wife, explaining that between the two of them, she had thebetter understanding of the real estate market. And yes, she gave her approval to the deal.

The streets named for Rav Mordechai Eliyahu honor a rabbi who applied Torah to address thepractical challenges of building and living in a Jewish state. His life reminds us that building aJewish state is one achievement; infusing it with Torah and holiness is another.I wish all my readers a year filled with Torah and holiness, and good health, too.

Gedaliah Borvick is the founder of My Israel Home (www.myisraelhome.com), a boutique agency thatguides overseas buyers through the complexities of purchasing and selling homes in Israel. To receive hismonthly market updates, contact him at [email protected].