Rabbi Yosef Eliyah has taught Hebrew and Jewish studies for more than 15 years. Having begun his own journey into the Hebrew language at age 15, in an environment devoid of Hebrew, Rabbi Yosef knows first hand what it is like to learn Hebrew to fluency as an adult with little to no background in the language.
At age 20, Rabbi Yosef moved to the Land of Israel. There he acquired citizenship and lived for nearly 15 years. While in Israel, Rabbi Yosef engaged in fulltime Judaic and Biblical studies for 8 years. During that time, Rabbi Yosef attended both American and Israeli yeshivot (Orthodox Jewish seminaries). Rabbi Yosef also forged lifelong friendships, both from ḥevrutoth (yeshiva study partners) as well as from the families he met at a Jerusalem Yemenite synagogue that was transplanted directly from Yemen -- families that adopted and embraced him as one of their own. These families, whom Rabbi Yosef encountered through glaring hashqafa peratith (divine providence), consisted of non-other than some of the closest students of the late beloved and renowned Rabbi Mori Yosef Qafiḥ of blessed memory (זצ"ל), alaw ha-shalom (ע"ה). The synagogue they attended, "Beth Yis'hag", was non-other than a synagogue founded in Yemen by an immediate student of Mori Yiḥya al-Gafiḥ (זצ"ל), grandfather of Mori Yosef Qafiḥ and the revolutionary and immensely important chief rabbi of Yemen just before the great ingathering of the exile of Yemen, peace be upon him (ע"ה). It was in the merit of these cherished families that Rabbi Yosef attained fluency in the Hebrew language, as well as merited first hand attestation of some of the oldest Jewish traditions still practiced, and most importantly -- found family in the Holy Land.
In the merit of those most cherished families, Rabbi Yosef was taken under the tutelage of a traditional Yemenite 'mori', a professional teacher of classical Hebrew pronunciation according to the ancient Yemenite Jewish tradition. That 'mori', Mori Me'ir Qafiḥ, peace be upon him (ע"ה), was himself born in Sana'a, Yemen, where in his childhood he too was taught under a traditional Yemenite 'mori', in a tradition thousands of years old. Mori Me'ir Qafiḥ invited Rabbi Yosef to attend his weekly class given to local Temani (Yemenite Jewish) children, which Rabbi Yosef attended for two years. Mori Me'ir Qafiḥ also dedicated his Shabbat afternoons, for several years, to providing Rabbi Yosef with one on one instruction in his home, free of charge.
Rabbi Yosef's most cherished years in yeshiva were spent at Yeshivat Torat ha-Ḥaiyim of Rabbi Shemu'el Ṭal and three years at Yeshiva "Midrash Sefaradi" in Old City Jerusalem, also known as "Shehebar Sephardic Center". While a fulltime student at "Midrash Sefaradi", Rabbi Yosef had the honor and privilege to attend lectures by the beloved Rabbi Ya'aqov Pereṣ, the Rosh Yeshiva of "Midrash Sefaradi", the highly esteemed mentor of the beloved Rabbi Yonatan haLevy. Rabbi Eliyah also attended classes given by the Rabbi Ezra Kassin, son of the beloved Rabbi "Sammy" Kassin. Fondest to Rabbi Yosef's heart, though, were the years spent attending the evening classes of our sorely missed Rabbi Reuven LevṬov (זצ"ל), of blessed memory, alaw ha-shalom (ע"ה).
Rabbi Reuven LevṬov left a lasting impression on Rabbi Yosef. Rabbi LevṬov's reverent humility coupled with equally reverent boldness of intellectual conviction, as well as Rabbi LevṬov's overall dedication to the neglected ancient methodology of talmudh Torah (Jewish education), continue to inspire Rabbi Yosef as a noble example to aspire to. Rabbi LevṬov's dedication to historically authentic Jewish pedagogy, likewise championed by the esteemed Rabbi Ya'aqov Pereṣ, continues to be a driving force in Rabbi Eliyah's vision and hope for the future of God's People.
Rabbi Eliyah also studied at Tel Aviv University and Bar Ilan University, where he was a fulltime student with a focus in Middle Eastern Jewry. In his 30s, Rabbi Yosef completed his secular degree with a BA in Arabic Language & Culture at CAL U, now known as PennWest California University.
Rabbi Yosef is also intimately acquainted with Aramaic and Arabic, two rich ancient languages closely related to Hebrew. Aramaic and Arabic are invaluable tools to Biblical scholarship and a fuller understanding of the history and cultural context of Israel and the Bible. Rabbi Yosef's appreciation for and familiarity with Aramaic and Arabic set him apart from most other Hebrew teachers.
We are grateful to have such a kind, knowledgeable, and easy to understand teacher as Rabbi Yosef Eliyah at the Mishnah Walk.