Eliyahu Kitov
Encyclopedia
Avraham Eliyahu Mokotow better known as Eliyahu Kitov, was a Rabbi
, educator, and community activist. He was born in Warsaw
, Poland
in 1912 as Abraham Eliyahu Mokotowski.
At the age of 17, he left Opole Lubelski and moved back to Warsaw. There he studied in a beis midrash, worked at backbreaking jobs, while also doing public work for Agudath Israel
of Poland. In his capacity as an educator, he gave lectures in Talmud
, Tanach and Jewish thought
. At that time, he also worked on a volunteer basis in secular Jewish schools for abandoned children, until his Aliya [immigration] to Israel in 1936.
Upon his immigration to Israel
, he worked in construction. As a Chareidi Jew, he was extremely dissatisfied with the terrible conditions the Chareidi workers experienced, and helped establish the Union of Agudath Israel workers (Poalei Agudat Yisrael). In addition to its concern for finding steady work for its members, this group eventually established cooperative factories of its own, in the fields of construction and industry. Rav Kitov engaged in this endeavor on a volunteer basis, alongside his own work in construction.
In 1941 he established a school for Chareidi children, where he served as principal for about eight years. At the same time, he became very involved with public affairs, editing the Poalei Agudat Yisrael newspaper, HaKol [The Voice]. In this journal he published hundreds of articles, under various names, on a wide variety of subjects. In these writings one can discern the budding of his writing capabilities that were to follow in his many books later on.
In 1954, eighteen years after he immigrated to Israel, he left politics and public works and began to write full time. Despite a lack of funds, he established a small publishing house called Aleph Institute Publications (now Yad Eliyahu Kitov), through which he published his various books.
From then until the end of his life, some twenty years, his main activity was writing and editing. However, at times he would get involved in education: giving guidance to teachers, lectures and publishing articles, mostly in the United States.
He was born on March 22, 1912, most likely in Opole Lubelski, Poland, one of at least ten children, the majority born in Josefow nad Wisla, Poland. The sibling, who was just older than he was, was born in Zaklikow, Poland, and the sibling just younger than he was, was born in Opole Lubelski. All these towns are near each other and some distance from Warsaw. If he was born in Warsaw, his parents most likely were visiting there at the time.
He was the son of Michel Mokotow and Rachel Samburski. His father was born on November 22, 1871 in Polaniec, Poland. This town is in the vicinity of the three previously named towns. Michel’s parents were Chaim Tuvia Mokotow (born about 1842) and Malka Wajnberger (born about 1845). Chaim Tuvia's parents were Icek Mokotow (born June 10, 1809 in Warka, Poland) and Esther Holszkiner (born about 1807). Icek's parents were Tuvia David Mokotow (born about 1774, died 18 Jan 1842 in Warsaw) and Tauba Moskowicz (born about 1770). Tuvia's father’s name was Moszek Aronowicz (Moshe ben Aron) who died on July 25, 1810 in Warka, Poland, at the age of 83.
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
, educator, and community activist. He was born in Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
in 1912 as Abraham Eliyahu Mokotowski.
Biography
His younger years were spent in the town of Opole Lubelski, where he learned in a cheder and a beis midrash. Most of his education was from his father, R. Michel, who was a Chassid and had a great influence in forming his personality.At the age of 17, he left Opole Lubelski and moved back to Warsaw. There he studied in a beis midrash, worked at backbreaking jobs, while also doing public work for Agudath Israel
Agudath Israel
Agudath Israel can refer to any of several related organizations, including:*World Agudath Israel, an international movement*Agudath Israel of America, an American organization*Agudat Yisrael, an Israeli political party...
of Poland. In his capacity as an educator, he gave lectures in Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
, Tanach and Jewish thought
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
. At that time, he also worked on a volunteer basis in secular Jewish schools for abandoned children, until his Aliya [immigration] to Israel in 1936.
Upon his immigration to Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, he worked in construction. As a Chareidi Jew, he was extremely dissatisfied with the terrible conditions the Chareidi workers experienced, and helped establish the Union of Agudath Israel workers (Poalei Agudat Yisrael). In addition to its concern for finding steady work for its members, this group eventually established cooperative factories of its own, in the fields of construction and industry. Rav Kitov engaged in this endeavor on a volunteer basis, alongside his own work in construction.
In 1941 he established a school for Chareidi children, where he served as principal for about eight years. At the same time, he became very involved with public affairs, editing the Poalei Agudat Yisrael newspaper, HaKol [The Voice]. In this journal he published hundreds of articles, under various names, on a wide variety of subjects. In these writings one can discern the budding of his writing capabilities that were to follow in his many books later on.
In 1954, eighteen years after he immigrated to Israel, he left politics and public works and began to write full time. Despite a lack of funds, he established a small publishing house called Aleph Institute Publications (now Yad Eliyahu Kitov), through which he published his various books.
From then until the end of his life, some twenty years, his main activity was writing and editing. However, at times he would get involved in education: giving guidance to teachers, lectures and publishing articles, mostly in the United States.
Works
- Chassidim v’Anshei Ma’aseh – 5 volumes of Chassidic stories, 1956-1957, 1966. Two of these have been translated by M. Zakon and published in English as "In the Lion's Den," and "Sharp as a Needle."
- Ish U'Veito, 1957 - translated into English by Rabbi Nachman BulmanNachman BulmanNachman Bulman was an American rabbi associated with Orthodox Judaism. He was born to Rabbi Meir and Etil Bulman after a blessing from the Rebbe of Ger, Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Alter...
as "A Jew and his Home." - Sefer HaToda'ah - His most famous work, translated into EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
by Rabbi Nachman Bulman as "The Book of Our Heritage." Also translated into Spanish by Rabbi Natan Grunblatt, Ed. Kehot Lubavitch Sudamericana, as "Nosotros en el Tiempo." - Sefer HaParshiyot 1961-76 – a rich, comprehensive set on the weekly Torah portions. Although it is mainly based on Midrash and Talmud, early Biblical commentaries, and Chassidic texts, the imprint of the author is noticeable, and many of his own insights are blended into the text.
Descendants
Rabbi Kitov had four sons, Oded, Shalom Zvi z"l, Yehoshua and Zurishadai z"l, whose families live in Jerusalem; and three daughters, Rachel (Kitzes) and Ruth (Ben Arza), who also live in Jerusalem; and Na'ama (Nothman), who lives in South Africa. Many of them and/or their spouses continue to inspire the next generation with his teachings.Family History
There is much misinformation about the family history of Eliyahu Kitov. Literature states he was born Abraham Eliyahu Mokotovsky in Warsaw. In fact, he was born Abraham Eliyahu Mokotow and used the surname Mokotow as late as 1953 when he made a trip to the United States. His Polish passport, which he surrendered upon immigrating to Palestine, shows his name as Mokotow.He was born on March 22, 1912, most likely in Opole Lubelski, Poland, one of at least ten children, the majority born in Josefow nad Wisla, Poland. The sibling, who was just older than he was, was born in Zaklikow, Poland, and the sibling just younger than he was, was born in Opole Lubelski. All these towns are near each other and some distance from Warsaw. If he was born in Warsaw, his parents most likely were visiting there at the time.
He was the son of Michel Mokotow and Rachel Samburski. His father was born on November 22, 1871 in Polaniec, Poland. This town is in the vicinity of the three previously named towns. Michel’s parents were Chaim Tuvia Mokotow (born about 1842) and Malka Wajnberger (born about 1845). Chaim Tuvia's parents were Icek Mokotow (born June 10, 1809 in Warka, Poland) and Esther Holszkiner (born about 1807). Icek's parents were Tuvia David Mokotow (born about 1774, died 18 Jan 1842 in Warsaw) and Tauba Moskowicz (born about 1770). Tuvia's father’s name was Moszek Aronowicz (Moshe ben Aron) who died on July 25, 1810 in Warka, Poland, at the age of 83.