Rabbi Avraham Kitov Dead at 63

The death at the age of 63 of Rabbi Avraham Eliyahu Kitov, a prominent Israeli writer, educator and religious mentor, was reported here by Dr. Joseph Kaminetsky, head of Torah Umesorah, the National Society of Hebrew Day Schools of which the late Rabbi Kitov was a close friend and guide. He died in Jerusalem on Feb. 7 and was buried the same day at the Sanhedrai cemetery, Dr. Kaminetsky reported.

During the past 30 years, Rabbi Kitov wrote on educational subjects under the pen name Eliyahu Kitov and was an essayist and contributor to Israeli newspapers as well as the author of books of commentary and other religious works.

Rabbi Kitov was born in Warsaw, surnamed Mokotowsky, and came to Palestine about 40 years ago. He was active for a time in political affairs. He also served as secretary to the former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Itzhak Nissim and used his influence to resolve the differences between Rabbi Nissim and former Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Issar Yehuda Unterman, Dr. Kaminetsky reported.

Rabbi Kitov’s major books included, “Sefer Ha Todoah, “the book of Jewish consciousness, translated into English by Rabbi Nathan Bulman. That work was written when the new Israeli educational system was instituted and the government wanted a book portraying the essence of Judaism for the younger generation. It is widely used in most Jewish day schools in America, Dr. Kaminetsky said.

Rabbi Kitov was also the author of “Ish U’vaiso” (A Man and His Home), also translated by Rabbi Bulman, which is a composite of the laws of marriage and the concept of the Jewish home. Another major work by Rabbi Kitov was “Sefer Ha Parshios,” a commentary on the Pentateuch. Rabbi Kitov made frequent visits to the United States and addressed conferences and conventions of Torah Umesorah on the principles of education and methodology.