Rav Avraham took out a paper covered with dozens — maybe hundreds — of names

Photo: AEGedolimphotos.com

Rav Avraham Erlanger ztz”l, rosh yeshivah of Kol Torah who passed away at age 90 at the beginning of this week, was revered for his Torah and his kedushah, grew talmidim and kept track of their development, was known for his popular Birchas Avraham seforim series opening up sugyos of Shas in the standard yeshivah masechtos and beyond, and is considered one of the greatest baalei mussar of the generation. One evening, I noticed the Rosh Yeshivah at the Kosel, deep in prayer. And as he finished saying Tehillim, Rav Avraham took out a paper covered with dozens — maybe hundreds — of names, leaning in close to recite each one, his face radiating concentration and heart as he blessed lists of hopeful people, knowing and unknowing, with their own “birchas Avraham.”

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 881)