They each raise thousands of talmidim in Torah and mussar, each in his own way. Ahead of Zman Matan Toraseinu 5785, B’chadrei Chareidim’s Moshe Weisberg offered a special profile in Hebrew of the noble family known as the Kaplans, headed by the elder mashgiach Rav Naftali and his sons, the roshei yeshiva of the “Old” and “New” Kaplan yeshivas. Matzav.com offers a synopsis of Weisberg’s fascinating report.
The Kaplans: Torah Nobility by Merit
Known throughout the Torah world is the Kaplan family, at its head is the elder tzaddik, Rav Naftali Kaplan, known as the “elder mashgiach of our generation.” His sons — Rav Chaim Yitzchok (mashgiach of Yeshivas Chevron), Rav Nissan (rosh yeshiva of Daas Aharon, known as “Kaplan HaChadasha”), and Rav Avraham (rosh yeshiva of Netiv HaDaas in Ramot, widely referred to as “Yeshivas Kaplan”) — each lead yeshivos that are pillars of Torah and mussar.
Together, these four giants extend their reach across the broad spectrum of the Litvishe Torah world. From intense mussar to deep Torah learning, from more conservative student bodies to those with modern influences, almost every Torah family can envision a place for their children under the guidance of the Kaplan dynasty.
Rav Naftali also has several sons-in-law who serve as marbitzei Torah in major yeshivos, forming additional links in the family chain. But for the purpose of this Yom Tov feature, we focus on the sons, those who carry the prestigious Kaplan name.
The Mashgiach, Rav Naftali Kaplan
The gaon and tzaddik, Rav Naftali Kaplan, the elder of the mashgichim, was born in Chicago over ninety years ago, and he is considered today the most senior mashgiach of our generation.

He acquired most of his Torah under the guidance of Rav Dovid Kronglass, the mashgiach of Yeshivas Ner Yisrael in Baltimore, from whom he absorbed the foundational principles of mussar.
When he immigrated to Eretz Yisrael at a relatively advanced age, he was already a married man and was known as a talmid chacham with an exceptionally refined ethical sensitivity. He formed a deep bond with Rav Shlomo Wolbe, with whom he studied extensively in the field of mussar. The two became close companions, united in their mission to bring the world of mussar to the talmidim of Eretz Yisrael.
With mutual encouragement, they jointly established the first batei mussar in Eretz Yisrael. Rav Naftali described the effort to establish mussar in the Land as an outright war. There were times when Rav Shlomo felt discouraged, believing that mussar was a withered tree that bore no fruit, especially compared to the flourishing world of lomdus and Talmud study. In those moments, Rav Naftali would summon great strength and determination. As he himself later testified, he would “go out to battle” — and eventually merited to see great success in that very campaign.
Later, he was invited by Rav Baruch Weisbecker to serve as mashgiach of Yeshivas Beis Mattisyahu, and subsequently held similar positions at Yeshivas Beis Shmuel alongside the rosh yeshiva, Rav Yitzchok Ehrenfeld. After many years, he was appointed mashgiach at Yeshivas Chevron in Geula. Throughout his years of service — a role he viewed as a full-fledged vocation — he established kolelim devoted to the study of mussar, aimed at strengthening avodas hamiddos among young Torah scholars. Yet he never neglected his work in the yeshiva, constantly analyzing how to enhance the ethical development of his talmidim, especially in areas he believed required a comprehensive, systemic boost. In this he was considered a true expert.
“In the Mussar kollelim, they studied mussar seriously, with great depth, and with lips aflame — just as the baalei mussar of past generations instructed,” recalls a long-time student.
“Rav Naftali functioned like a rosh kollel of kollelim — a sort of president and guide. He appointed a unique rosh kollel to each one, who would set the learning path and oversee the program. There were at least three such kollelim.”
He instituted systems of vaadim, exams on mussar seforim, weekly summaries, and various tools to motivate the avreichim to study mussar in a deep and consistent way. In order to sustain the high scholarship amounts these kolelim offered, major philanthropists from both Israel and abroad stepped in.
“Rav Naftali has talmidim from earlier years who went on to succeed in business and still view him as their primary rebbi,” a confidant notes.
“They don’t make a move without consulting him, and they cover a significant portion of his mussar programs.”
Among the key donors behind Rav Naftali’s vast network of spiritual initiatives — which has since been carried forward by his sons — is the American magnate R’ Avraham Yitzchok Bodner, known for his support of leading baalei mussar in our generation. He is also close to the mashgiach, Rav Don Segal, and other spiritual mentors. Another major supporter is the philanthropist R’ Dan Gertler, who over the years has generously contributed massive sums toward Rav Naftali’s spiritual endeavors.
A fascinating aspect of Rav Naftali’s persona is his ability to connect not only with Torah-observant individuals, but even with those whose religious levels are far from ideal. Among his followers overseas are traditional Jews who nevertheless feel deeply connected to him.
“This is an extraordinary phenomenon, unparalleled in the world of mashgichim,” says one observer.
“People usually picture a mashgiach as someone with a long beard and a stern face. But when you see the warmth and radiance of Rav Naftali’s expression, you’re exposed to an entirely new world. That’s what draws so many to him.”
Over a decade ago, Rav Naftali suffered a severe infection and hovered between life and death. Ultimately, the heavenly tzaddikim prevailed over the angels, and he returned to life with what seemed like renewed strength from higher realms.
Rav Naftali currently serves as mashgiach of the Kaplan yeshivos. His sons affectionately refer to him before talmidim as “Zaide,” reminiscent of the title given to the Alter of Slabodka or Novardok. This title is particularly fitting, as his wife is the granddaughter of the Alter of Novardok.
Today, Rav Naftali channels most of his energy into his sons’ yeshivos. In the early years, he fully funded Rav Avraham’s Yeshivas Nesiv HaDaas, bearing the financial burden alone. For Rav Nissan’s yeshiva — the newer one — he insisted his son carry the financial responsibilities himself, so as not to burden his father, who had only recently recovered from illness.
In fact, it was after Rav Naftali’s recovery that the new yeshiva was founded. Upon awakening from his critical illness, he told those around him that he felt HaKadosh Baruch Hu had returned his soul to him so that he could add more soldiers to the ranks of Torah and mussar. This prophetic aspiration aligned with Rav Nissan’s own dream of establishing a new Torah empire. Together, they joined forces and implemented the model that had already proven so successful in Rav Avraham’s leadership.
It is a heartwarming sight to witness Rav Naftali — the Zeide — entering the beis midrash of one of the yeshivos he oversees with a thick binder in hand. Inside the carefully organized pages are the names of every student, meticulously recorded with notes on their spiritual progress. Despite his advanced age, he does not suffice with giving shmuessen. He closely tracks the individual growth of his talmidim, a move virtually unheard of among elder mashgichim.
In addition to his brilliance in mussar, talmidim repeatedly emphasize another dimension:
“His Talmudic brilliance is equal to his mussar genius — and vice versa,” says one.
“He is deeply respected by his talmidim not only as a mussar authority but as a Torah giant. That’s why his revolution succeeded. You can’t lead this kind of transformation unless your talmidim see you as a gaon in Torah as much as in mussar. I don’t know if that’s his secret — or maybe it’s his self-sacrifice. Probably both.”
Even in recent years, despite his weakness, Rav Naftali traveled to the United States due to the financial struggles of his yeshiva.
Rav Chaim Yitzchok Kaplan
Mashgiach of Yeshivas Chevron – Givat Mordechai | Rosh Mesivta at Yeshivas Pachad Yitzchok

Rav Chaim Yitzchok Kaplan is widely regarded as one of the leading baalei mussar of our generation.
“You don’t need to hear him speak or attend a shmuess,” says one talmid.“It’s enough just to see him — his very appearance exudes yiras Shamayim.”
At Yeshivas Chevron, they say that even a mere glance from him can awaken a sense of ruchniyus in one’s heart.
After years in which Torah analysis took center stage—sometimes at the expense of mussar and character development—Rav Chaim Yitzchok succeeded in restoring mussar to its rightful place at the forefront of the Chevron yeshiva. He rebranded mussar discourses as being no less important than Talmudic lectures, both in ceremony and in intrinsic value.
He was born in 1959. As a youth, he learned in Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi, which was like a feeder school for Chevron. He merited to study under Rav Dovid Kronglass, mashgiach of Ner Yisrael in Baltimore, and later learned in Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin under the leadership of Rav Yitzchok Hutner.
He stood out as an exceptional talmid, and Rav Hutner regularly engaged him in deep discussions in learning. After his marriage, he was appointed as a ram at Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yaakov Yosef in Edison, New Jersey.
After moving to Israel, he attached himself wholeheartedly to Rav Yonasan David, son-in-law of Rav Hutner and rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Pachad Yitzchok. Rav David placed his trust in him completely and appointed him as a ram in the yeshiva.
In Elul 5771 (2011), he was appointed mashgiach of Yeshivas Chevron in Givat Mordechai, due to the declining health of the previous mashgiach, Rav Avraham Salomon.
It was an extraordinary appointment. Chevron had a long-standing tradition of only appointing its own alumni to such senior roles. The rationale was that only someone trained in Chevron’s specific approach could properly guide its talmidim. Rav Chaim Yitzchok, though he had attended Tiferes Tzvi (a feeder yeshiva to Chevron), was not a Chevron alumnus, and his appointment was considered unprecedented — a testament to his extraordinary stature.
Upon taking the position, Rav Chaim Yitzchok revived a long-lost Chevron tradition: delivering mussar shmuessen in the main beis midrash. This custom had lapsed following the passing of Rav Meir Chodosh. Thanks to the new mashgiach, mussar regained its rightful place in the spiritual core of the yeshiva.
His mussar talk is delivered every other Wednesday. In addition, he gives vaadim at least three times a week. These sessions are divided by student profiles — older bochurim, younger bochurim, me’oresim (those engaged to be married), and more — so that each vaad is precisely tailored to the unique needs of its group.
He also serves as a ram at Yeshivas Pachad Yitzchok, where he delivers a daily shiur after Shacharis, which he davens together with his Chevron talmidim.
Since arriving at Chevron, he has drawn talmidim to him like a magnet. Many consult with him regularly and benefit from his unique perspectives. He delves into every topic with original depth and a mind that breaks free from conventional boundaries.
His shmuessen are filled with ideas rich in thought, closely aligned with the path of his teacher and mentor, Rav Yitzchok Hutner. Talmidim note that his insights in mussar are no less powerful than his sharp Talmudic analyses.
Many of his talmidim report on his incredible genius in learning. Beyond his mussar greatness, Rav Chaim Yitzchok is a phenomenal Torah scholar. He serves as a model for integrating Torah and mussar, demonstrating how true Torah study must be rooted in purity, character development, and genuine yiras Shamayim.
He is known for his broad knowledge in all areas of Torah. One former talmid, now at a different yeshiva, once visited him for Shabbos. At the Shabbos seudah, Rav Chaim Yitzchok asked which masechta his current yeshiva was studying. The student replied casually, mentioning the masechta and daf. Rav Chaim Yitzchok immediately paused the meal and began analyzing the sugya in depth. The student was astonished at the Rav’s total command of every line of Tosafos — despite the fact that this sugya was not being learned in either of the yeshivos where Rav Chaim Yitzchok currently taught.
In the past, Rav Chaim Yitzchok was a regular participant in an elite chaburah that included Rav Shmuel Yaakov Borenstein (rosh yeshiva of Kiryas Melech), Rav Eliyahu Baruch Finkel, and Rav Dovid Cohen (rosh yeshiva of Chevron). The group would meet for long sessions of intense learning.
That friendship bore fruit in joint scholarly works. Before publishing any of his seforim, Rav Borenstein would send them to Rav Chaim Yitzchok for review — and vice versa.
Rav Nissan Kaplan
Rosh Yeshiva of Daas Aharon – “Kaplan HaChadasha” | Rav of the Givat HaMivtar Neighborhood

Rav Nissan Kaplan, the second son of Rav Naftali, was recognized as one of the leading marbitzei Torah in the Torah stronghold of Yeshivas Mir before he left. His shiurim, primarily given to bochurim from abroad, attracted hundreds of talmidim. His was considered the second-largest shiur in the yeshiva, following only the renowned shiur of Rav Asher Arieli.
In addition to his brilliance in learning, Rav Nissan was known as a father figure to his talmidim. Throughout approximately twenty years of teaching at the Mir, he was deeply involved in their lives, even down to the smallest personal details.
He lives in the Har Nof neighborhood of Yerushalayim, where he also established his yeshiva. His entire day is devoted to Torah learning and communal involvement. Not long ago, he oversaw the construction of one of the most beautiful mikvaos in Yerushalayim—a project that required significant time and energy from his schedule.
He never hesitates to go the extra mile for his talmidim.
“Recently, someone from the community asked him for a recommendation letter so his son could be accepted into a cheder,” recounts a student.

“He made the request at 12:30 at night, thinking it would be addressed in the next day or two. But Rav Nissan told him to come to his home right away. ‘At one in the morning?’ the father asked in surprise. ‘Yes,’ Rav Nissan replied.”
The man left that very night with the letter in hand. But Rav Nissan didn’t stop there. For the next few days, he followed up with the father to find out whether the child had been accepted. Only once he heard that the boy had been accepted to the desired school did he rest.
These stories repeat themselves often. Most notably, his talmidim seem eager to publicize his extraordinary dedication, as if wanting to share a miracle.
“There isn’t a taxi driver in Yerushalayim who doesn’t know Rav Nissan,” says a close student.“Every one of them will tell you that the Rav is like a second father to them. When they run into trouble in their personal lives, he’s the first person they call. And he, in turn, looks after every person in Hashem’s world.”
After many years of giving shiur at Mir, Rav Nissan felt the time had come to establish a yeshiva of his own—another tier in the growing Kaplan empire. He often tells those close to him that the Torah world is expanding, and that soon there will be a need for a new institution on the scale of Mir. To that end, he took the first step. His hope is that the yeshiva he has founded will eventually grow into a Torah empire in its own right.
Currently, the yeshiva includes about forty bochurim in Shiur Alef, another forty in the kibbutz level (post-high school division), and about twenty avreichim in the kollel.
A few years ago, the residents of Givat HaMivtar asked Rav Nissan to become the official rav of their neighborhood.
“When Rav Nissan comes for Shabbos,” says one resident, “you literally can’t get into the shul—it’s so packed. Masses come to hear his Friday night drasha.”
Rav Nissan himself often greets people warmly at the entrance to the shul at the start of davening, offering a wide smile and an open heart to every mispallel and guest.
Despite being fully immersed in the urgent matters of his yeshiva, he never misses his regular weekly shiur, which he delivers every Monday night at the neighborhood beis midrash. The topic varies according to current events and relevant themes.
When Rav Nissan first launched the yeshiva a few years ago, he was naturally preoccupied with its development and rarely left the beis midrash. Members of the community assumed that this meant his weekly shiur would be temporarily suspended. But when Rav Nissan heard about this assumption, he was deeply hurt.
“How could anyone think I would cancel the shiur?” he asked, visibly pained.
On the final Shabbos of the year, the community made a kiddush, during which Rav Nissan shared a moving story: out of concern for the health and well-being of the bochurim before the tekios on Rosh Hashanah, one of the local baalei batim arranged fresh pastries for every student. It was, he said, an act of pure fatherly care.
All this is in addition to his vast Torah knowledge and legal proficiency. Rav Nissan is known as a brilliant scholar and a respected posek whose mastery of Shulchan Aruch is vast. Many leading Torah sages rely on his psak and hold his halachic authority in high esteem.
He is regularly presented with complex halachic questions—ones that demand both encyclopedic Torah knowledge and a deep understanding of human psychology and the communal landscape.
“That combination,” says one student, “that’s Rav Nissan.”
Rav Avraham Kaplan
Rosh Yeshiva of Netiv HaDaas – Yeshivas Kaplan

Rav Avraham Kaplan, the youngest son of Rav Naftali, made a powerful impression on the Torah world at a young age with the yeshiva he founded. Officially called Netiv HaDaas, it is more widely known by its colloquial name: Yeshivas Kaplan.
Rav Avraham established the yeshiva 15 years ago—before he had even turned 40. That alone magnifies the remarkable nature of his success, which is considered virtually unprecedented in the history of the modern yeshiva world in Eretz Yisrael.
He was born in the Beis Vagan neighborhood and was extremely close to his esteemed father from a young age, clinging to his father’s every word and step. In every stage of both his spiritual and practical life, he consulted with his father and never acted independently without his direction.
As a teenager, he learned at Yeshivas Tiferes HaTalmud and later at Yeshivas Beis Mattisyahu, where he became a leading talmid of the rosh yeshiva, Rav Baruch Weisbecker, who often praised him publicly.
By the time he reached marriageable age, he was already considered one of the outstanding iluyim of the yeshiva world, and shadchanim vied for the opportunity to arrange a match. He married Rebbetzin Tziporah from the Berlin family, and immediately after his wedding entered a new stage in his spiritual development.
He settled in Yerushalayim and joined the kollel affiliated with the yeshiva of Rav Chizkiyahu Yosef Schreiber. Rav Yossel, as he was known, had established a unique yeshiva for deep, intellectually intense learners. Those who couldn’t find fulfillment in standard sederim of the yeshiva world gravitated toward Rav Yossel’s penetrating approach. There, they analyzed every word and debated Torah topics with astonishing intensity.
Rav Avraham was part of this elite group and quickly earned a reputation as a brilliant lamdan, with an extraordinary mind and uncommon insight. Even in mundane matters, people preferred to consult him, due to his ability to view the entire picture and offer brilliant, out-of-the-box solutions.
“While others are still deciding where to begin dissecting the problem,” says one student,“Rav Avraham has already polished the solution.”
He soon became one of Rav Yossel’s most outstanding talmidim and was appointed a sho’el u’meishiv in the yeshiva. Simultaneously, he was appointed rosh kollel in Yerushalayim, where he continued to spread Torah with increasing intensity.
In 2009, with the close support of his father, he founded Yeshivas Netiv HaDaas in the Ramot neighborhood of Yerushalayim. Almost immediately, the Kaplan name became associated with the yeshiva, and to this day, in the wider yeshiva world, it is known as “Kaplan.”
Acting on the advice of Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, who guided the early stages of the yeshiva’s development, Rav Avraham appointed Rav Yisrael Binyamin Schreiber, the brother of his rebbi Rav Yossel Schreiber, to serve alongside him in heading the yeshiva.
Even though Rav Avraham had built the yeshiva from the ground up and was involved in every step of its establishment and development, he faithfully followed Rav Shteinman’s recommendation to share the leadership.
To this day, the main shiur in the yeshiva alternates weekly—one week Rav Avraham, the next week Rav Binyamin.
“The meteoric growth of the yeshiva will one day be studied by historians of the yeshiva world,” said one senior observer.

“It is no small thing for a young man with no prior experience in heading a yeshiva to launch an institution and, within a matter of months, have it recognized across the Torah world. Today, it is well known that Kaplan attracts the elite of the Torah world—the best of the best.”
Talmidim attribute the yeshiva’s success to the powerful combination of Rav Avraham’s personality and his brilliant scholarship.
“He poured his entire being into building the yeshiva,” says one of his close talmidim.“During the early years, he barely slept or ate—he lived and breathed the yeshiva. He didn’t say, ‘I opened a yeshiva, now let’s see what happens.’ He invested with total dedication.”
Today, the yeshiva boasts hundreds of talmidim, kein yirbu. Yet Rav Avraham insists on keeping each shiur limited in size. Initially, he capped each class at 40 talmidim. Due to overwhelming demand, the limit was increased to 70—but no more. He remains adamant that this cap will not be exceeded.
Rav Avraham’s reasoning is simple: in smaller shiurim, the ram and mashgiach can more effectively monitor each student’s development—both in learning and in character—and offer individualized guidance.
“You can’t help 180 bochurim in one shiur,” he says.“But you can help 70. It’s simple math. That’s how he produces one lamdan after another.”
The yeshiva’s staff is widely regarded as a dream team, complemented by the overflowing Torah energy that radiates from Rav Avraham’s dynamic leadership. Everything in the yeshiva is top-tier. Until recently, the institution was fully funded by donors closely connected to Rav Naftali.
{Matzav.com}