Peres menachem Hgr"o: "rose among thorns"

The great friendship that exists between Hgr"o Yosef and President Shimon Peres has been going on for years. As mentioned, Hgr"o Yosef also told the representatives of Shas in the Knesset to support his candidacy for president, when he was candidate against MK Reuven Rivlin nine years ago.

Since then, the two maintain a warm relationship of friendship.

Last night Peres called to console the Rav on the death of his son Rabbi Yaakov Yosef zt"l, but he was not satisfied with a phone call and arrived today (Sunday) afternoon to console him personally.

"I came to take part in your sorrow – there is no consolation to your distress. The Rav was a person to himself, with a phenomenal memory and knowledgeable in Torah – he went from place to place and taught Torah, a remarkable man. Yaakov solved a lot of problems and people have to thank him for that," said the president.

Hgr"o told Peres that at the time his late son served as MK of Shas - Peres was defense minister. According to him, his son told him how Peres helps and assists the yeshiva students. "Like a rose among thorns, so my son spoke of you," said Hgr"o to the president.

Later on Hgr"o Yosef spoke with Shimon Peres regarding the recruit of Yeshiva students, while expressing his pain and concern.

Hgr"o also said that when he moved from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv he asked his son to replace him in giving lessons. Over time, the learners liked the lessons so that he asked him to continue to deliver the lessons even when he returned to the city. "30 years ago I had a fixed shiur, and people would come once a week to hear me. Then I offered Yaakov to fill my place and give one shiur in Torah – since then everyone listened to him and followed him. "

The President expressed deep sorrow and sincere participation in the grief of the family and said: "It's good to have such a family, which radiates Torah. The Jewish people is not by force but with spirit – "min hashamayim tenuchamu. (you shall be comforted from Heaven)"

During the nichum aveilim visit of HaGaon R' Shmuel Auerbach the recruit issue came up as well. Hgr"o asked of Hagr"s "Tell your representatives, Litzman, that they should not give up on the subject, it is the most important issue for us," said the Rav.

In the coming days, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, plans to arrive and console the Rav.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!