Rav Eliezer Brish zt"l
הרב אליעזר בן משה יעקב בריש זצ"ל
Tishrei 5 , 5592
Known As: Rav of Kutna
Father's Name: Moshe Yaakov Brish
Rav Eliezer Brish zt"l
Rav Eliezer Brish was born in approximately the year 5534/1774 in Lisa. His father was Rav Moshe Yaakov.
The city of Lisa was known in those years as a fortress of Torah. It was renowned for its Geonim, who became Rabbonim and Dayonim in many kehillos.
The Rav and Rosh Yeshiva at that time was Rav Teveli, who taught thousands of bochurim in his Yeshiva. Among them was Rav Eliezer.
In 5552/1792, Rav Eliezer married the daughter of Rav Yehuda from Lisa. After his marriage, Rav Eliezer founded his own Yeshiva, and in a short time he was asked to become the Maggid and Darshan of the kehilla.
Many kehillos asked him to serve as their Rav. Rav Eliezer, out of humility and love for his hometown, ignored these tempting offers.
Years later, in 5579/1819, when the kehilla of Kutna was seeking a new Rav, they agreed to support him and his family and to fully support a Yeshiva as well. It was difficult for Rav Eliezer to leave his hometown for good; it was also difficult for the members of the kehilla, who felt very close to him. But he made the decision to move on.
In Kutna, Rav Eliezer was a strong leader. He also headed a large Yeshiva, where he delivered deep shiurim on many sugyos. His derech halimud was to write down all the difficulties he found with the sugya and then delve into its depths, answering all the questions.
After serving as Rav there for nearly twelve years, Rav Eliezer was niftar in Kutna on the fifth of Tishrei 5592/1831.
Some of his derashos and hespedim were published under the name Pe’ulas Tzaddik.
His son-in-law was Rav Shmuel Brish – a nephew – who was Rav in Iniava.
Zecher tzaddik livrachah.
www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-5-tishreiseptember-29/