R’ Meir Gavriel Elbaz

Type of wearer: Doesn't want to be an influence, Maggid, Posek, Rabbi, Rosh Yeshiva

Affiliation: Charedi, Sepharadi, Yeshivish

There are rabbanim who teach, and then there are those who carry entire communities through the daily grind of halacha with quiet strength. Rabbi Meir Gavriel Elbaz is one of those rare few doing both—and doing it with grace.

As the Rav of Ohel Simcha Sephardic Congregation in Kew Garden Hills, Rabbi Elbaz is a name you’ll hear not just in Sephardic homes, but also in Ashkenazic circles looking for clear, grounded halachic guidance. He’s a Posek in the true sense—accessible, precise, and steeped in both Torah tradition and real-world nuance. Whether it’s hilchot Shabbat, kashrut, or day-to-day shailos, people seek him out not just for his answers, but for the calm clarity behind them.

Now, here’s something he doesn’t broadcast—but those who know him, know: he wears Techeiles. Not because it’s trendy, not to make a statement. It’s something he does quietly, in line with the customs of the Ben Ish Hai, who strongly supported using Techeiles with specific kabbalistic ties. For Rabbi Elbaz, it’s just another layer of avodas Hashem—done without fanfare, just like everything else he does.

During the week, you’ll also find him teaching at Lander College for Men, where his shiurim cut through the fog and help students connect halacha with life. Whether he’s delivering mussar or dissecting halachic cases, he brings the fire of Sephardic heritage into the depth of Talmudic analysis—and students respond. His shiurim on YUTorah and TorahAnytime pull in a wide crowd because they’re not just informative—they’re real.

Born into a distinguished Moroccan family from Sefrou, a city once brimming with talmidei chachamim, Rabbi Elbaz has that rare ability to stay rooted while reaching wide. His Thursday night learning program at Ohel Simcha has become a kind of mini beis midrash for the neighborhood—Ashkenazim, Sephardim, FFBs, and baalei teshuva all come through the doors, looking for something deeper.

He doesn’t chase attention. He doesn’t need to. His leadership shows in the people he uplifts and the Torah he gives over—firm, thoughtful, and with that quiet string of blue hidden in his tzitzis.