Rav Elozor was born sometime after 5566/1806, the son of Rav Moshe Elyokim Beriya of Kozhnitz. He later became the son-in-law of Rav Yaakov Horowitz of Meilitz, a scion of the Ropshitzer dynasty.
He received the Chassidic tradition from his father, as well as from the Sabba Kadisha, Rav Yissochor Dov of Radoshitz and from his cousin Rav Meor Yechiel Shapira of Mogolinitza. He traveled to many Tzaddikim, including Rav Yeshaya of Pshedburzh, Rav Yisrael of Rizhin and Rav Naftoli of Ropshitz.
Rav Yisrael of Rizhin testified, “Elozor ben Chaya Sora shines very much indeed!”
In 5608, after Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel of Mogolinitza was niftar, Rav Elozor was crowned Rebbe. Most of the Chassidim of Kozhnitz who had been his father’s, accepted his authority as the new Rebbe. Some say that Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel himself crowned him Rebbe when Rav Elozor was there on Parshas Mikeitz and was called to the Torah. The Rebbe Rav Chaim Meir Yechiel read the pasuk (Bereishis 41:40): “You shall rule over my household and my people shall follow the orders you give with your mouth,” and he emphasized this pasuk, reciting and emphasizing it three times.
The Gutter Yid of Neustadt, Rav Yosef Boruch, testified, “Every Rebbe must have the ability to uplift the souls of the Jewish people, but to uplift up the entire world? – that is a chiddush that only this Rebbe, Rav Elozor of Kozhnitz, could achieve!”
Rav Elozor was niftar at a young age. His Divrei Torah were collected and published as Likkutei Mahar"a.
