Avraham Shapira

This article is about the rabbi. For the politician, see Avraham Yosef Shapira. For R' Avraham Shapiro, author of Devar Avraham, see Avraham Duber Kahana Shapiro.

Rabbi Avraham Shapira אברהם אלקנה כהנא שפירא‎
Rabbi Avraham Shapira
Title	Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel
Personal life
Born	c. 1910 Jerusalem, Ottoman Empire
Died	September 27, 2007(2007-09-27) (aged 97) Jerusalem, Israel
Nationality	Israeli
Spouse	Penina Shapira
Children	4 (including Rabbi Yaakov Eliezer Kahana Shapira)
Parent(s)	Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Kahana Shapira and Hanna Reizel Zaks
Alma mater	Etz Chaim Yeshiva, Hebron Yeshiva
Occupation	Rosh Yeshiva, Posek, Chief Rabbi
Religious life
Religion	Judaism
Denomination	Hardal (Religious Zionist)
Jewish leader
Predecessor	Shlomo Goren
Successor	Yisrael Meir Lau

Avraham Shapira (Hebrew: אברהם אלקנה כהנא שפירא; c. 1910, Jerusalem – 27 September 2007) was a prominent rabbi in the Religious Zionist world. He served as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1983 to 1993. Shapira was the head of the Rabbinical court of Jerusalem, and both a member and the head of the Supreme Rabbinic Court. He was the rosh yeshiva of Mercaz haRav in Jerusalem, a position he held after Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook died in 1982.

He was the founder and president of the Machon HaRav Tzvi Yehuda (Machon HaRatzia), a member of the founding presidency of the Union of Rabbis for the Land of Israel, and president of the Tzvia Ulpana network (after the passing of Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook) and Komemiyut movement.

Biography

Avraham Elkanah Shapira was born to a Jerusalemite family; his father was Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Shapira. As a child, he lived in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City.

In his youth, he studied at Etz Chaim Yeshiva in Jerusalem, later moving to the Hebron Yeshiva, where he studied under Rabbis Moshe Mordechai Epstein and Yechezkel Sarna. After his marriage, Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook invited him to join Mercaz HaRav yeshiva. He corresponded, in his youth, with the Chazon Ish, Rabbi Zvi Pesach Frank, Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik, and Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer.

In 1956, he was appointed as a member of the Jerusalem religious court by Chief Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog. In 1971, he was appointed Av Beit Din.

Shapira was elected Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel in 1983, serving alongside Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, who was elected Sefardi Chief Rabbi.

Rabbi Shapira with President George H. W. Bush in the Oval Office

Rabbi Shapira together with Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu at Yom Yerushalayim celebration at Mercaz HaRav

He died on the first day of Succot, 2007. Tens of thousands of people took part in his funeral procession on September 28, 2007. he was interred at the Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery.

Shapira and his wife Penina had four sons. As per his will, his son Rabbi Yaakov Shapira was appointed Rosh Yeshiva of Mercaz HaRav after him.

Rabbis Zvi Yehuda Kook (right) and Avraham Shapira at Merkaz Harav yeshiva

Together with Rabbi Moshe Feinstein during a visit of the Chief Rabbis to the United States

Meeting with U.S. President George Bush

In public leadership

Rabbi Shapira’s prominent public activities began with his opposition to the withdrawal from Sinai, a campaign he led at the request of Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook (the "Rav Tzvi Yehuda"), who was weakened. Later, as Chief Rabbi, he became known for his opposition to evacuating Jewish areas in Land of Israel in general. After completing his tenure, along with Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, he became a central rabbinic authority for the national-religious community, giving halachic rulings and public leadership. He was regarded as the senior rabbi of Religious Zionism, and its spiritual leader. Members of the National Union-Mafdal Party would regularly consult with him and Rabbi Eliyahu.

He also influenced various fields, including politics, education, Jewish law, and the authority of the Rabbinate, which he continued to defend even after his official term. His central influence stemmed partly from his position as the rabbi of thousands of alumni from Mercaz Harav Yeshiva who engaged in numerous fields. Many stayed connected to the yeshiva and Rabbi Shapira, so his opinions had a widespread impact.

Torah and education

Rabbi Shapira encouraged and assisted in establishing many yeshivas, both high and secondary, as well as seminaries and kollels led by his students. He sent yeshiva graduates for Torah and educational work abroad. He also guided and sent many students to roles in rabbinics, Jewish law, and education. He supported the establishment of small yeshivas (yeshivot ketanot). Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu once said of him:

"There are today, across the land, yeshivas led by heads of yeshivas – all from his school."

Views

With Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu at the Jerusalem Day ceremony at Merkaz Harav yeshiva

Halachic approach

Rabbi Shapira saw halacha as encompassing all areas of life. Unlike some rabbis from Religious Zionism, he placed minimal importance, if any, on meta-halakhic considerations in his rulings, viewing the study of Jewish thought and philosophy as a tool to strengthen observance of halacha, rather than as something that influences halachic rulings.

He allowed for the possibility of new legislation by the state based on communal regulations recognized by halacha, provided they did not contradict halacha, and for ordinances by the Rabbinate when necessary, especially for issues arising in modern times, particularly due to the existence of the State of Israel, which lacks historical precedent or direct halachic literature addressing it. However, Rabbi Shapira preferred a conservative approach to halachic interpretation, avoiding changes and innovations when he feared they could lead to overly broad rulings by others. For example, he stated that although it is necessary to long for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and the offering of sacrifices, one should not ascend the Temple Mount and let such desires dictate halachic rulings.

State of Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visiting Rabbi Shapira in his Sukkah

Rabbi Shapira expressed Zionist views and saw the State of Israel as the beginning of redemption (atchalta de'geulah). He viewed the establishment of the state as the end of the exile. Regarding the election to the 10th Knesset, he stated that people should vote for a religious party, not a party of both religious and secular individuals supporting the entirety of the land.

He praised the state for being a "supporter of Torah" and for the unprecedented growth of Torah study in the country, which he felt had not been seen since the Second Temple period. Each year on the eve of Yom Ha'atzmaut, he requested reports from the Ministry of Religious Affairs detailing the exact number of Torah students in the country: Talmudei Torah, yeshiva ketanot, yeshiva gedolot, kolelim, and so forth.

Despite his state-oriented perspective and his view of the State of Israel as the beginning of redemption, he opposed political decisions that, in his view, contradicted the Torah, especially territorial concessions. He did not see these oppositions as contradictory to "state loyalty." Conversely, he rejected arguments suggesting that any government's actions could alter the fundamentally positive stance toward the state.

He explained the complexity and provided evidence that the state is considered a form of redemption simply because it is Jewish governance, even while opposing actions that contradict the Torah by its leaders:

"The Kingdom of Israel during the First Temple period belonged to all of Israel, not to King Jeroboam and his associates. During the rule of wicked kings, there was no exile, quite the opposite, and only when the gentiles conquered the state and Israel became subject to foreign rule did exile emerge... The State of Israel does not belong to Ben-Gurion and his colleagues or the ministers up to this day, but to all of Israel. And thus, because the state is under the governance of the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and not under foreign rule, it cannot be called exile."

The Jewish People

Rabbi Shapira placed great importance on a sense of partnership and belonging with the entire Jewish people. He emphasized this yearly in his address on Rosh Hashanah before the shofar blowing, saying:

" 'I dwell among my people' – what will happen with all of Israel will happen with us."

In a letter to an ultra-Orthodox yeshiva student, he rebuked him, writing:

"The whole of Israel is not only yeshiva students, but the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all who are called by the name Israel."

The Chief Rabbinate

He opposed reductions in the authority of the Chief Rabbinate. He insisted on maintaining the status and dignity of the Chief Rabbinate as the highest rabbinic authority of the State of Israel and the Jewish people, which he believed must be preserved to uphold its authority over Jewish matters. In his view:

"Without the existence of the Chief Rabbinate, the rabbinate would be open to anyone who calls themselves a rabbi, like in the Diaspora, and half of the Land of Israel would be exposed and handed over to Reform and Conservative rabbis, as in the United States. Likewise, the system of rabbinic courts, the strongest Torah-based institution in the Land of Israel, would collapse, with all the serious consequences that would result from this."

Yeshivas and Torah Learning

In his later years, studying with the use of a magnifying glass

Rabbi Shapira believed that the goal of lectures in a yeshiva is to develop new perspectives, but that the primary learning should be done by each student independently in a way that suits their own nature. Therefore, he advocated reducing the number of lectures attended by students, both in Talmud and in emunah. Nevertheless, he valued the opportunity to hear different styles of lectures. This approach continues to be practiced at Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva.

He placed great importance on encouraging young people to study in yeshiva, seeing it as the future of the Jewish people. He worked hard to persuade young people who thought studying in a yeshiva was beyond their capability, emphasizing that above any other Torah study path available, yeshiva study holds a unique and irreplaceable value. Therefore, he strongly opposed the pre-military preparatory programs. In a conversation with preparatory students at his home, he remarked:

"One who does not study in a yeshiva loses not only the acquisition of a study method but also the mental and emotional experience that the yeshiva provides. For those who are capable, it is preferable to study even one year in yeshiva rather than two years in a preparatory program."

Rabbi Shapira placed special importance on the concepts of "rabbi and student," which embody the central aspect of the transmission of the Oral Torah. He emphasized that the proper way is for the rabbi to receive the Torah from his teacher to pass it on to his students, who will then transmit it to their own students. Thus, he saw the yeshiva as a crucial institution within the Jewish people, as it serves as the place of Torah transmission from generation to generation, considering it for this reason to be "a place where the Divine Presence rests." He would often say that a Jew needs three full years of yeshiva study to leave "the presumption of being unlearned in Torah." He maintained that although there is room for learning Kabbalah and other subjects, the traditional yeshiva curriculum should not be changed.

Public laws and leadership

Rabbi Shapira emphasized that in matters of "public laws" and significant rulings, only the opinions of prominent Torah scholars with established expertise should be considered. He strongly criticized young rabbis lacking experience and qualifications who involved themselves in weighty issues impacting the Jewish public. In this context, he coined the term "rebbalach" (a diminutive form, implying small or unqualified rabbis) as a dismissive label for rabbis who attempted to make rulings on issues beyond their competence. He remarked:

"One who does not have the authority to release an agunah should not take on matters concerning the entire people of Israel."

Tradition of the generations

He frequently emphasized the preservation of ancient customs and traditions and the sense of connection to the old Jewish world. His student, Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Meir, described Rabbi Shapira as a figure bridging the new generation and the ancient chain of tradition, merging continuity and creativity:

"He ensured that we... would be a continuation of the chain of Jewish tradition and the world of Torah scholarship from previous generations... It is precisely the generation of rebirth and redemption... that recognizes the centrality of the State of Israel in the redemption process, knowing how to integrate eternal treasures with the changing times and events."

The Judicial System

Concerning the secular court system, he wrote:

"When there are religious courts adhering to Torah law, going to secular courts contrary to Torah law is a severe matter. The Rashba wrote that it is akin to 'raising a hand against the Torah of Moses.'"

However, regarding involvement in the secular system, Rabbi Shapira struggled between advancing Jewish law and the concern that a judge might be forced to rule in a manner considered theft in halachic terms.

Opposition to the Oslo Accords

During the Oslo Accords, Rabbi Shapira led the rabbinic opposition, joined by Rabbis Shaul Yisraeli and Moshe-Zvi Neria. Together with Rabbi Nachum Eliezer Rabinovitch, they founded the "Union of Rabbis for the Land of Israel", which became the primary rabbinic body leading the opposition, issuing proclamations and public instructions, creating public pressure, organizing rabbinic gatherings, and more. The Union declared that relinquishing land under Israeli control to non-Jews, even in exchange for peace agreements, was against Halacha and that one should refuse such orders. This ruling stirred extensive debate. He continued to oppose the Hebron Agreement and was one of the firmest rabbinic voices against the transfer of land.

Opposition to the Disengagement Plan

Rabbi Shapira in Gush Katif

When the Disengagement Plan was announced, Rabbi Shapira, alongside Rabbi Eliyahu, led the rabbinic opposition, comparing its implementation to other biblical prohibitions where following orders is not permitted. He thus called for refusal of orders. One hundred and fifty rabbis joined him in calling for adherence to his ruling. He also participated in rallies supporting the communities and people of Gush Katif and in protests against the government. After the evacuation, he continued to maintain ties with the evacuees for years.

Ahead of the disengagement, a public interview was published with Chief Military Rabbi Yisrael Weiss, in which he opposed refusal of orders and claimed one should comply – after asserting he was a student of Rabbi Shapira and acted under his guidance. Following the interview, Rabbi Shapira sent Rabbi Weiss a letter emphasizing his stance that it was a Torah prohibition to comply with the evacuation orders, urging,

"If you claim to be my student, please heed my opinion and do not teach the opposite. If you are not, then do not use my name to fulfill your missions… do not become an accomplice to sin!"

His last letter, signed alongside Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu a few days before his death, also addressed the prohibition of evacuating areas of the Land of Israel.

Other religions

When asked about meetings with religious leaders of other faiths, Rabbi Shapira responded:

"We do not go to them to engage in polemics, but if they come to us, it is appropriate to receive them respectfully, and it is permissible to allow them into a synagogue or Beit Midrash for the sake of peaceful relations, as has traditionally been done, though the non-Jew should also be respectful and avoid entering with a cross."

Family

Rabbi Shapira's father was Rabbi Tzvi Asher Kahana Shapira, one of the heads of the Yeshivat HaMekubalim Sha'ar HaShamayim. Rabbi Shapira was the 27th generation descendant of Rashi and the great-grandson of Rabbi Moshe Maggid Rivlin, a disciple of the Vilna Gaon who immigrated to Israel during the Aliyah of the Disciples of the Vilna Gaon, making him a sixth-generation Jerusalemite. The Shapira family is a priestly family with a lineage tracing back to Ezra the Scribe. On his mother's side, he was the great-grandson of Rabbi Avraham Elkana Zacks, son of Rabbi Moshe Zacks, one of the early disciples of the Chasam Sofer who immigrated to Israel (his father-in-law was Rabbi Tzadok HaLevi Kroiz). His cousins were Rabbi Menahem Ben-Zion Zacks, a rabbi in Chicago, and Rabbi Yehoshua Fishel Zacks. Rabbi Shapira expressed a desire for a book to be published about his family history. His sons are Dr. Moshe Chaim Zacks and Dr. Yitzchak Zacks.

The Shapira family was known for its dayanim (rabbinical judges). Among them was Rabbi Shapira's grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Leib Levy (brother of Rabbi Nahum of Shadik), who served as Av Beit Din in the rabbinical court of Rabbi Shmuel Salant and the Maharil Diskin in Jerusalem. Rabbi Shapira himself served as a member of the Great Rabbinical Court and later as its president. His brother, Rabbi Shmuel Kahana Shapira, was Av Beit Din in Jerusalem, and his nephew, Rabbi Eliezer Shapira, also served as a dayan in the Great Rabbinical Court. Rabbi Eliezer's son, Rabbi Shlomo Shapira, continues this role today.

Rabbi Shapira was married to Penina, daughter of Rabbi Yaakov Eliezer Hirschowitz, sister of Rabbi Shalom Natan Ra'anan, who was the director of Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav and son-in-law of Rabbi Kook (she died in 2019). The couple had four sons: Shlomo Zalman, Rabbi Ben-Zion (author of the book "Pnei Avraham" and head of the Merkaz HaRav Institute), and the twins Rabbi Yaakov Elazar Kahana Shapira (who succeeded his father as the head of the yeshiva, according to Rabbi Shapira's will) and Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi (who was designated in his father's will as the yeshiva's director).

Notable students

• Rabbi Yaakov Elazar Kahana Shapira – Head of Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav
• Rabbi Chaim Avihu Schwartz – Ram at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav and Beit El
• Rabbi Avraham Zacks - Researcher of the teachings of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook
• Rabbi Aharon Eisental – Rabbi of Chispin and Ram at Yeshivat HaGolan
• Rabbi Itamar Orbach – Rabbi of Hashmonaim and Ram at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav
• Rabbi Eitan Eiseman – Head of the "Noam" educational institutions, formerly head of his office at the Chief Rabbinate
• Rabbi Aharon Trop – Former head of the high school yeshiva "Bnei Tzvi"
• Rabbi Eliezer Shenwald – Head of the Hesder Yeshiva "Meir Harel" in Modi'in and Ofakim
• Rabbi Elyakim Levanon – Head of Yeshivat Birkas Yosef and Rabbi of the Shomron Regional Council
• Rabbi Aryeh Stern – Head of the Halakha Brurah and Birur Halakha Institute and Rabbi of Jerusalem
• Rabbi Gideon Perl – Rabbi of Alon Shvut and former head of his office at the Chief Rabbinate of Israel
• Rabbi Dov Lior – Former Rabbi of Hebron-Kiryat Arba and Head of Yeshivat Nir Kiryat Arba
• Rabbi David Hai HaCohen – Head of Yeshivat Netivot Yisrael and Rabbi of a neighborhood in Bat Yam
• Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed – Head of Beit El Yeshiva
• Rabbi Chaim Steiner – Ram at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav and senior rabbi of the Tkuma Party
• Rabbi Yigal Lerer – Av Beit Din in Petah Tikva and Ram at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav
• Prof. Rabbi Yigal Shafran – Head of "Merkhavim" and expert in Medicine and Halacha
• Rabbi Yehoshua Magnes – Ram at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav, formerly head of the Ulpana in Tel Aviv
• Rabbi Yehuda Zoldan – Chief supervisor of Talmud education
• Rabbi Yehuda Amichai – Head of Torah and the Land Institute and head of the Conversion Administration
• Rabbi Yosef Alankwa – Rabbi of the Gaza Strip settlements
• Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Meir – Former head of Yeshivat Shevut Yisrael in Efrat
• Rabbi Yoel Manovich – Head of Yeshivat HaGolan
• Rabbi Yehezkel Daum – Rabbi of Tnuva and the village of Ramat Magshimim
• Rabbi Yaakov Ariel – Former Rabbi of Ramat Gan and President of Yeshivat Ramat Gan
• Rabbi Yitzhak Ben Shahar – Head of Yeshivat Kedumim
• Rabbi Yitzhak Yaakobovitz – Rabbi of the Southern Sharon Regional Council
• Rabbi Yerachmiel Weiss – Former head of Yeshivat Yerushalayim LeTzeirim
• Rabbi Micha HaLevi – Rabbi of Petah Tikva and Head of Yeshivat Ateret Nechemiah
• Rabbi Meir Freeman – Rabbinical court judge in Tel Aviv
• Rabbi Michael Hershkowitz – Rabbi of the village of Neria and Ram at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav
• Rabbi Eliezer Melamed – Rabbi of Har Bracha and head of the Har Bracha Yeshiva
• Rabbi Menahem Burstein – Head of Puah Institute
• Rabbi Moshe Bigel – Rabbi of Meitar and member of the Tzohar organization
• Rabbi Moshe Dimantman – Senior lecturer at Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh
• Rabbi Moshe Harari – Author of the "Mikraei Kodesh" series
• Rabbi Moshe Klein – Rabbi of the Hadassah Medical Center and Rabbi of the Kfar Ganim neighborhood
• Prof. Rabbi Neria Guttel – Former head of Orot Israel College
• Rabbi Zvi Kostiner – Head of Yeshivat Midbara KeEden in Mitzpe Ramon
• Rabbi Shlomo Ben Hamo – Rabbi of Kiryat Gat
• Rabbi Shlomo Korach – Rabbi of Bnei Brak
• Rabbi Shlomo Shapira – Member of the Great Rabbinical Court in Jerusalem and grandson of his uncle

Books

Together with Rabbi Moshe Zvi Neria on Jerusalem Day at Merkaz Harav yeshiva

Talmud and Halacha

• Shiurei Maran HaGra Shapira – A series of books containing Rabbi Shapira’s general lectures on the Talmud delivered at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav, edited by Rabbi Binyamin Rakover in six volumes on eleven tractates: Bava Batra, Shabbat-Pesachim, Ketubot-Kiddushin, Yevamot-Gittin, Bava Kamma-Nedarim, and Bava Metzia-Sanhedrin. This series won the Jerusalem Prize for Torah Literature and the Shapira Prize.
• Ma'amak Avraham – Selected teachings on the Talmud. Edited by Rabbi Chaim Avihu Schwartz.
• Shu"t Minchat Avraham – Four volumes containing Rabbi Shapira's responsa, rulings, and halachic essays.
• Zecher Yitzchak – A book by Rabbi Yitzchak Yaakov Rabinowitz of Ponevezh, edited by Rabbi Shapira in his youth (republished by the Jerusalem Institute with additional parts edited by his student and nephew, Rabbi Shlomo Shapira).

Faith and Thought

• Morasha – Shichot LeMo'adim – A collection of Rabbi Shapira’s talks for Jewish holidays, gathering his lectures delivered at the yeshiva. An additional part, a booklet called HaYoshevet BaGanim, was added, featuring brief words of Torah. Edited by Rabbi Shamir Shintov and Rabbi Yonatan Aviv.
• Morasha – A compilation of sermons and essays on Torah, Eretz Yisrael, education, public leadership, modesty, Torah study for women, refusal of orders, the laws of the state, and tributes to former yeshiva heads—Abraham Isaac Kook, his son Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, and Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli. Edited by Rabbi Shamir Shintov and Rabbi Yonatan Aviv.
• Haggadah Shel Pesach HaYoshevet BaGanim – A Passover Haggadah with insights and pearls of wisdom on Hazal. Edited by Rabbi Shamir Shintov and Rabbi Yonatan Aviv.
• Kuntres HaYoshevet BaGanim – On the High Holy Days and topics of repentance.
• Yemei HaPurim – Reflections on Purim.
• Ahavti Toratecha – Chapters on the ways of acquiring Torah, based on the teachings of Rabbi Avraham Elkana Kahana Shapira. Edited by Elad Avraham Carmon, 2018.

Booklets of Sermons

• Yoma Drigla – Talks delivered at the annual memorial service for Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, held on Ta'anit Esther.
• Et LeKol Chefetz – A collection of sermons for various Jewish holidays.
• Chag HaSukkot – A collection of sermons on the holiday of Sukkot.

Memorials and honors

• A street in Jerusalem, connecting Herzl Boulevard and Yitzhak Rabin Boulevard, is named after him.
• The central square in the town of Mevo Horon is named after him.
• A street in the city of Beit Shemesh carries his name.
• A street in the settlement of Beit El is named in his honor.
• Beit Hora’ah Beit Avraham – A halachic guidance center led by Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, Rabbi Eitan Eizman, and Rabbi Yehoshua Magnes, established in 2019. It provides answers to halachic questions by students of the yeshiva who are ordained rabbis under the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
• A Torah community and kollel, Torat Avraham, in Nazareth Illit is named in his memory.
• A mikveh in the Givat Shaul neighborhood is dedicated to his memory.
• The Torat Avraham Beit Midrash in the Yeshivat Mevakshi Hashem is named after him.
• Previously, there was a high school yeshiva named "Beit Avraham" led by Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Schreiber.

Further reading

• Rabbi Binyamin Rakover and Rabbi Yitzhak Dadon (editors), Imrei Shefer – Insights on the Torah, anecdotes, and guidance in Rabbi Shapira’s teachings.
• Rabbi Yitzhak Dadon, Rosh Davar – Facts and stories Rabbi Shapira told, organized according to the weekly Torah portions, with an appendix titled Merosh Amana – some of his practices, published in Adar 2010.
• Rabbi Yitzhak Dadon and Dvir Amar, Av BaTorah Av BeChachma – Hundreds of stories around Pirkei Avot, 2019.
• Rabbi Chaim Avihu Schwartz, Me'amak Avraham – Summaries of lectures given at the yeshiva. Be'ohel Avraham - Biography and stories about him.
• Rabbi Ben-Zion Kahana Shapira and Rabbi Yehoshua Weisinger (editors), "Echad Haya Avraham": Articles, letters, and memories in commemoration of ten years since the passing of Rabbi Avraham Elkana Kahana Shapira, Jerusalem 2018, published by Merkaz Harav.
• Rabbi Avraham Israel Silbetzki, Shlosha Ktarmim, in the memorial book Eshel Avraham.