Former Rishon LeZion Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron died at the age of 79 of coronavirus on Sunday night. The rabbi’s medical status deteriorated while he was being treated in Shaare Sedek. “Rabbi Bakshi-Doron was an important link in the chain of Torah scholarship of the Sages of Spain,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in light of the rabbi’s passing. He “served as a guide to all Israeli communities, in Israel and in the world.” He was hospitalized a few days ago after testing positive for the coronavirus. The rabbi suffered from previous illnesses and so his condition deteriorated gradually throughout the day. His last hours involved numerous attempts to resuscitate him, but doctors were forced to pronounce him dead, according to the Shaare Sedek spokesperson. The rabbi, who was born in Jerusalem and began his career in Bat Yam, was known for promoting dialogue between faiths and rejecting violence. He was inducted to be the Rishon LeZion in 1993, the first non-Iraqi Rishon LeZion since Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel in 1954. Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef said that “the rabbinal world, the Torah world and the halacha world lost one of its first pillars” in the wake of the rabbi’s death. Chief Rabbi David Lau said that “along with the entire House of Israel, I am mourning this difficult evening the departure of the deceased Genzi of the Rishon LeZion, the chief rabbi of Israel and the Chief Justice of the Grand Court Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron. His death “leaves a great void in the Jewish world,” he concluded. “It hurts us that we could not say goodbye properly,” said the rabbi’s son-in-law, Rabbi Alon Navon. “The funeral campaign has yet to be decided.” “The rabbi was a man of kindness and giving who worked to bring the hearts of the people of Israel closer together,” said Defense Minister Naftali Bennett in light of the rabbi’s passing. “In my name and in the name of the security systems, I would like to send condolences to the family at this difficult time.” “I had the privilege to be closely acquainted with him, enjoy his advice and be blessed by his holy mouth many times,” said Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon. “The city of Jerusalem where he worked, studied and raised his family will commemmorate his create memory in the near future.” “The heart is saddened” by the rabbi’s passing, Education Minister Rafi Peretz said on Sunday night. “Rabbi Bakshi was one of the greatest Torah leaders in the last generations, a teacher for rabbis, dedicated to the Torah and to the nation of Israel in an outstanding way.” Transport Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that the rabbi had “connected to all parts of the nation and led in his duties a firm standing on the dignity of the Torah.” Interior Minister Aryeh Deri wrote on his Twitter page that he is “bitterly mourning” the passing of Rabbi Bakshi-Doron. “Rabbi Bakshi-Doron was a great wise disciple, a guide to many among the people of Israel and his passing is a great blow,” he continued. “A very greay pain, a very great loss for the people of Israel.” Yamina MK and former justice minister Ayelet Shaked said that the rabbi was “a man of great giving to the people of Israel.” “I send my condolences to the Bakshi-Doron family, and am hurting with the entire nation of Israel over the death of the former chief rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron from the coronavirus,” said Likud MK Nir Barkat.Source
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