What My Students Say

Hear directly from students, rabbis, friends and others who have learned, grown and connected through Torah study, spiritual guidance and the work of Rabbi Eliyahu Shear and Chessed Ve’Emet.

Every person’s journey in Torah is different. Some of the people below have studied with Rabbi Eliyahu for years, while others have encountered his teaching, guidance or the wider work of Chessed Ve’Emet in different ways. We are grateful to each person who has taken the time to share their experience.

🎥 Video Testimonials & Endorsements

Watch students and others share their experiences personally.

🌿 More Student & Community Reflections

Further personal reflections from people who have connected with our teaching and work.

Have We Learned or Worked Together?

If you have benefited from learning Torah with Rabbi Eliyahu, received guidance, participated in our work, or been helped through Chessed Ve’Emet, we would be deeply grateful if you would consider sharing your experience in a short video or written testimonial.

📝 Written Testimonials

Reflections from students and others who have experienced our teaching, guidance and work.

It is with great appreciation and gratitude that I recommend Rabbi Eliyahu Shear as an outstanding teacher of Talmud.

I began studying tractate Berachot with Rabbi Shear in 2022 as a complete beginner in Talmud study. Over the past four years of studying remotely with him, I have experienced firsthand his exceptional abilities as an educator, mentor and guide.

Rabbi Shear possesses a remarkable gift for making the complexities of the Talmud accessible and understandable. He not only teaches the text itself, but he also imparts the proper methodology and analytical skills necessary to study Talmud correctly and independently. Through his patient instruction and clear explanations, what initially seemed overwhelming became both manageable and deeply rewarding.

One of Rabbi Shear’s greatest strengths is his dedication to his students. Despite teaching remotely, he has always been readily available to communicate by email, answer questions and engage in thoughtful discussions. His willingness to provide guidance outside of formal study sessions reflects his genuine commitment to his students’ intellectual and spiritual growth.

Studying with Rav Shear has been one of the most enriching educational experiences of my life. His scholarship, patience, clarity and encouragement have enabled me to develop both confidence and competence in Talmud study. I recommend Rabbi Shear without reservation to anyone seeking a knowledgeable, compassionate and inspiring teacher of Torah and Talmud.

Rabbi Eliyahu Shear’s website offers a vast range of Torah topics, spiritual content, articles and videos. He also gives live online Shiurim which are most interesting, stimulating and enjoyable. They are given in a precise way where each word of the text is read, translated and explained. Rabbi Shear also uses great examples and analogies to clarify the ideas and meaning of the teachings of the Sages. Various Torah subjects are offered including Talmud, Tanya and Missilat Yesharim or any topic of one’s choice from the convenience of any internet location. It is highly recommended for others to join, contribute and support Chessed Ve’Emet as both the website and Shiurim offer great benefits and valuable lessons to all who seek life fulfilment, through learning and growing in Torah.

Nearly 15 years ago I started learning with Rabbi Shear at Ohr Somayach, Glenhazel, South Africa. I recall the humble beginnings of several Chaburahs (group shiurim), especially in the works of the Chofetz Chaim. One of the most stunning observations I have made is that he seamlessly combines his love for Torah with his passion for computers having given “birth” to his teachings via his web and blog pages. I find him to be “the genuine article.” He has a passion and love for teaching Torah, and an ability to counsel a wide spectrum of life issues and challenges, especially through Chassidus.

May he continue to go from strength to strength!

💚 Chessed Ve’Emet & Community Experiences

Our work has always extended beyond formal Torah study. These reflections speak about kindness, assistance, community projects and personal support offered through Chessed Ve’Emet.

What an amazing opportunity to increase one’s daily dose of kindness. Individuals can partake in countless good deeds to help others is a very special way, increase their learning, engage in a variety of services offered and receive valuable assistance. Truly, a unique one-stop shop for all your spiritual needs.

Chessed Ve’Emet has helped us to connect with our families and friends living in Israel by creating and delivering beautiful gift baskets for holidays and simchas with a personal touch. Their Bayit Chadash store is filled with the perfect gifts for all occasions at exceptional prices. We are always delighted to hear of the progress of the many kindnesses and upcoming projects Chessed Ve’Emet devotes their time and efforts to. In fulfilling the very essence of, “the world stands on three things – Torah, divine service, and acts of human kindness” (Avot 1:2).

Thank you for all you do. With endless blessings for everything positive and good.

Rabbi Shear,

Thank you very much for the opportunity to participate in the Mikvah Funding Project. B”H, I was able to contribute the equivalent of “x” shekels a month you had suggested were necessary for the 6 months which I undertook in the merit of my sisters and nieces finding their zivvug. Although my contributions will be more sporadic and less significant so that I can contribute to other causes in Eretz Yisrael, I will, bli neder, link into your site from time to time.

I would like at this time to thank you for your responses to each of my donations. I cannot tell you how many times, answering the needs of individuals from …, I did not receive an acknowledgement that my cheque was received, let alone an update as to whether the surgery took place, the fate of the business, the electricity bill that was paid…. Thank you so much for each and every one of the brachas your sent me. I read them many times over the course of days before deleting them.

I wish you hatzlacha rabba in all your endeavors.

With blessings,

Dear Rabbi Shear,

Our Batmitzvah girls had their ceremony on the 16 August and presented the message of the Blessings of the Sun. It was a wonderful celebration enjoyed by all and I know you would have been very proud of them had you been present. We all thank you once again and wish you and your family a Shana Tova and may you know only happiness and blessings and continue to enlighten everyone around you.

Asking for help has never been easy. It’s even more difficult when you live far away from other Jews. I was opening the package containing the Shofar literally with tears in my eyes. I’ve been grateful to Hashem Yitbarach for His blessing of friends who had come forward when their help was needed most. There are no words to express my gratitude to all the people who helped me and my family to obtain a Shofar. I am especially grateful to Rabbi and Rebbetzin Shear whose generous support, encouragement and active intervention have been instrumental to success of the cause. Their warmth and concern for less fortunate fellow Jews but also their infectious zeal for help made me feel again that somewhere in the world there are people who care.

I have found this site and the Rabbi to be wonderful resources. Even though I have not been blessed with meeting my Bashert yet.

Rabbi Shear has been absolutely wonderful in assistance. At times when I found this to be extremely frustrating and thinking this is futile and to just give up on the entire process, the Rabbi has (only through emails) helped me to realize that this is normal for many and sadly for too many it takes much work, effort and emotions.

Rabbi Shear and I have had several email discussions on why we think/feel this is such a difficult process in modern times. Possible things to help fix what appears to be broken in some ways. I give R’ Shear a lot of credit in his determination in trying to overcome and resolve some of these issues in modern day matchmaking.

My wife and I recently visited Israel for the very first time in our lives. We were extremely fortunate to have Eliyahu and Shoshanah available as our extremely well-informed guides in Jerusalem. Shoshanah is my cousin, and this was our first meeting with her husband, who is extremely easy to get along with and down-to-earth. When it comes to explaining the amazing artifacts in Jerusalem his knowledge of history and of Jewish customs and religious information is second to none.

The great advantages having these two show us around became very apparent in our travels around Jerusalem. It would have been totally impossible for us to negotiate the city buses without them. With minimal or no knowledge of Hebrew we would not have been able to see any of the historic sites without going on commercial tours or employing an expensive tour guide.

Traveling on the city buses not only was a very inexpensive way to travel but gave us the opportunity to see the local people firsthand. We were able to visit a private Jewish home in the middle of the Muslim quarter, which was a fascinating experience. Visiting the Jewish holy places, with Eliyahu was an amazing educational experience, and I feel that both my wife and I were very blessed.

Begin Your Own Torah Journey

Whether you are beginning from scratch, looking for serious one-on-one Torah learning, or seeking thoughtful spiritual guidance, you are warmly invited to get in touch and explore how we can learn and grow together.