At the relatively young age of 12, his parents sent him to the Lomza Yeshiva for an advanced Torah education.

At some point, Eliyahu switched to the Novardok Yeshiva where he grew significantly in his Torah studies.

[2] The couple later resettled in Montreux in the Swiss Alps after Rivka fell ill and the doctors suggested relocation to the mountains.

[3] In January 1956, the yeshiva organized an alumni reunion in the United States, with the participation of Rabbi Botchko.

En route to America, he stopped in Ireland where he suffered a sudden heart attack and died; his coffin was flown to Israel for burial, and his son, Rabbi Moshe Botchko, became rosh yeshiva.