Rabbi Eliezer Melamed
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, shlita, was born in the Jewish year 5721 (1961) to his father, Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed, shlita, and his mother, Shulamit. His father was one of the closest students of Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah HaKohen Kook, zt”l. Rabbi Melamed studied in Yashlatz (Yeshiva Katana of Merkaz HaRav) and in the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva, under Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah HaKohen Kook, zt”l, and Rabbi Avraham Shapira, zt”l.
A special bond formed between Rabbi Eliezer and Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah HaKohen Kook, zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Merkaz HaRav, from Rabbi Eliezer’s early childhood. This unique connection was emphasized by a dream Rabbi Kook had upon Rabbi Eliezer’s birth, which led to Rabbi Melamed receiving his first name. Rabbi Eliezer attended Rabbi Kook’s classes for five years, from the age of fifteen until he was twenty, and like his own father, considers Rabbi Kook to be his most significant teacher and mentor.
Rabbi Melamed began his teaching career instructing Talmud and halakha for half a year at Rabbi Deutsch’s Kollel in Mea Shearim, headed by Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg. During this period, he had the merit of studying as a chavrusa (study partner) with Rabbi Ginsburg and attending many of his classes. Subsequently, Rabbi Melamed dedicated approximately twenty years to teaching Talmud and emunah (faith) at the Beit El Yeshiva, and four years at the Kedumim Yeshiva.
In addition to teaching, he took on significant editorial projects, including a new edition of the book Shnei Luchot HaBrit (the Shelah) and the first two volumes of a new edition of the works of Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin, assisting in the completion of the entire series.
In the Jewish month of Av 5748 (August 1988), Rabbi Melamed was elected as the Rabbi of the Har Bracha community.
In the month of Elul 5752 (September 1992), Rabbi Melamed established the Yeshiva in Har Bracha, which he continues to head today. In the Yeshiva, the Rabbi delivers a daily class in halakha, gives classes in emunah and Jewish thought, and provides guidance in both public and private matters.
Vision
In his vision, Rabbi Melamed seeks to establish halakha within the Jewish nation as a bridge between Divine morality and daily life, as a path to tikun olam (repairing the world) under Divine sovereignty. With this objective in mind, the Rabbi works to familiarize the religious community, in all its diversity, with halakha, making it beloved by those who study it. This is accomplished through his short halakha broadcasts on Arutz 7 and his writing of the Peninei Halakha series, which clearly and comprehensively covers various subjects in halakha, interwoven with thoughts of emunah, in a language accessible to all.
The various undertakings of Rabbi Melamed, especially his tenure as the Rabbi of the community and the Rosh Yeshiva, create a unique unification between the Beit Midrash and daily life. This combination allows for the development and perfection of the path of Torah and avodah (practical work), establishing Har Bracha as an example of a Torah-based, idealistic community. It is a community meticulous in its Torah study and fulfillment of mitzvot, while maintaining a leading involvement in the national, social, economic, security, and educational fields.
The mutual inspiration generated between the community of Har Bracha and the Yeshiva creates a unique synergy between commitment to Torah and mitzvot and engagement in practical life. The Yeshiva serves as a focal point for deepening this vision and developing ideas, cultivating Torah scholars who actively engage with modern challenges. The community, the graduates, and the wider circle of disciples studying Peninei Halakha implement these ideals practically, paving the way to reveal the light of the Torah in everyday life.
Public Activities
Although the absolute majority of Rabbi Melamed’s time is dedicated to teaching and writing, he has also been highly active in the public arena. Among his many activities are:
The Ariel Youth Movement: The establishment of the Ariel youth organization and its first branch in Kiryat Moshe, Jerusalem.
Yesha Rabbinical Council: The establishment of the Rabbinical Council of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. Rabbi Melamed was the first secretary of the Council. He published 35 editions of the Council’s newsletters, which focused on clarifying crucial public and national issues.
Arutz 7 Radio Station: He was a founding partner in the establishment of the Arutz 7 radio station. His daily halakha broadcasts achieved high listener ratings and brought the teachings of the Torah to tens of thousands of homes across Israel, reaching a broad and diverse audience. Crucially, these broadcasts served as the cornerstone for the initial volumes of his influential series, Peninei Halakha.
Besheva Newspaper: Rabbi Melamed took part in the establishment of the Besheva newspaper. From the beginning, he has served as the newspaper’s spiritual driving force, writing a regular weekly column, Revivim, which enjoys wide exposure and impact. The columns have been compiled into three books:
- Volume 1: Deals with issues concerning marriage, society, family, and career.
- Volume 2: Deals with matters of the nation, the Land, and the army.
- Volume 3: A collection of columns focusing on the lifestyles and works of the great sages of Israel.