Aaron Lopiansky

Rabbi Aaron Lopiansky, also known as Rav Ahron, is an Orthodox Jewish scholar, author, and educator who currently serves as the Rosh HaYeshiva of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington – Tiferes Gedaliah. Known as one of the world's foremost experts in Jewish philosophy, he is renowned for his extensive contributions to Jewish thought and Torah education. He has written more than 20 works on Torah thought, liturgy, and philosophy.

He is a son-in-law of Rav Beinish Finkel, longtime Rosh HaYeshiva of the Mir Yeshiva (Jerusalem).

Early life and education
Rav Aharon was born and raised in New York's Lower East Side, where his parents, both Holocaust survivors, settled after the war. His father had lost a wife and children in Europe.

His upbringing was deeply influenced by his parents' experiences and their strong commitment to Jewish education and values. Growing up, he was immersed in a world of Torah learning and was encouraged to pursue a path of scholarship and spiritual growth. His father, a noted scholar, played a significant role in his early education, instilling in him the values of perseverance and dedication to Torah study.

He attended the local Rabbi Jacob Joseph School (RJJ), where he was taught by Rav Zeidel Epstein in the 11th grade. During his time at RJJ, Rav Aharon excelled in both his religious and secular studies, achieving high scores on statewide tests. However, towards the end of his high school years, he was influenced by several individuals to pursue full-time Torah learning.

His formal rabbinic training began at the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, one of the most prestigious yeshivas in the world. Under the guidance of renowned scholars such as Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz and Rav Nachum Partzovitz, Rabbi Lopiansky developed a deep understanding and appreciation for Torah learning. He was also greatly influenced by his father-in-law, Rav Beinish Finkel, the late Rosh Hayeshiva of the Mir, and by his close association as a talmid (student) of Harav Moshe Shapiro.

Career
Rabbi Lopiansky began his teaching career at Aish HaTorah in Israel, where he taught from 1983 to 1990. He then taught at his alma mater, the Mir Yeshiva, for five years, delivering the most advanced Gemarah shiur at the Yeshiva. During his time in Israel, he was extremely active in the cause of Soviet Jewry, traveling to the Soviet Union on numerous occasions and serving on resettlement organizations in Israel that assisted Soviet refuseniks in acclimating to Israeli life.

In 1994, the mechanech (headmaster) of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington reached out to Rav Aharon, who was then serving as a maggid shiur at Mir Yerushalayim, with an offer to become the Rosh HaYeshiva of the Yeshiva Gedolah in Kemp Mill, Maryland. After spending most of the 1980s delivering advanced Gemara shiurim at Aish HaTorah's Jerusalem campus, Rav Aharon was intrigued by the opportunity, despite the significant challenge it posed, including uprooting his family for an uncertain future in a young institution.

Rav Aharon initially moved to America alone, enduring a demanding cross-continental commute for six years, ensuring he was never away from home for more than three consecutive Shabbosim.

In August 2001, his wife, Rebbetzin Yaffa Lopiansky, daughter of Rav Beinish Finkel, along with their four children, joined him in Kemp Mill.

Activities and contributions
Rabbi Lopiansky is recognized for his extensive work in Jewish outreach and education. He played a significant role in teaching and aiding Soviet Jewry, being one of the teachers who traveled to the Soviet Union to disseminate Torah knowledge. He was also involved in helping their physical and spiritual relocation to Israel. In addition to his work with Soviet Jewry, Rabbi Lopiansky taught in the Israeli Army's Hishtalmut program, which aims to broaden the perspective of the army's officer corps by exposing them to the diverse facets of Israeli society. He is a founding editorial board member of Klal Perspectives and an editorial board member of Dialogue.

Publications and lectures
Rabbi Lopiansky is a prolific author, having written more than 20 works on Torah thought, liturgy, and philosophy. His writings contribute to the Encyclopedia Talmudit and various journals.

He has received worldwide acclaim for his sefer, "Orchos Chaim: A Ben Torah for Life." During a speech at the 2019 Aguda convention, Rav Elya Brudny notably remarked, "Every family that has made that transition [from kollel to the workplace] should own the book."

He also sits on several editorial boards, including the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture. Among his English-language works is "Time Pieces," a collection of essays on the Jewish holidays. Rabbi Lopiansky lectures widely both nationally and internationally, sharing his insights on Torah and Jewish philosophy.

Teaching and influence
Rabbi Lopiansky continues the mesorah (tradition) of his mentors, Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz, Rav Nachum Partzovitz, and his father-in-law, Rav Beinish Finkel. His ultimate goal is to inspire every student toward leading a life of Torah learning, instilling passion and dedication into the Bnei Torah under his care. His approach to learning and teaching is also deeply influenced by his long association as a close student of Harav Moshe Shapiro.