The man from the Eideh • the rabbi of the Badatz: to perform kriah

Thousands accompanied today Rabbi Yaakov Blau zt"l, assistant of the Gab"d and a member of the Badatz Eideh Charedi, Rabbi of the kashruth board and Rabbi of the Pag"i neighborhood of Jerusalem, on his last journey to Har Hamenuchos in Jerusalem – where he was buried.


The funeral took place on foot, according to his will and request of Hgr"y, who ordered that his bed be carried to the grave and not using the vehicle of the Chevra Kedisha.


The funeral participated by many left from his home and his Beis Medrash in the Pag"i neighborhood in Jerusalem. From there it continued to Zupnik Square, where the Badatz and offices of the kashruth of the Eideh Charedi resides.


A long line of speakers bereft Hgr"y and eulogized his character. Although according to plan the funeral should have been completed before sunset as is custom in Jerusalem, the last honor many wanted to share by eulogizing him - extended the deadline.

Hgri"t Weiss Av Beit Din of the Eideh Charedi, asked all of the Badatz members to perform kriah on the breast of their clothes as a sign of mourning for an important deceased colleague. During the eulogy Hgab"d delivered he named Hgr"y's son, Rabbi Chaim Yosef, to fill his father's place as the neighborhood rabbi in the Pag"I neighborhood by the Eideh Charedi.

During the eulogy delivered by Hgry"ch, the son of the late Rabbi he said in tears that his father used to learn each day, after eight hours of work in a business as a young man, very diligently. "My father studied by the light of a pale illumination coming from the little lamp, every day, until three am in the morning. In these times, he authored the famous book series, "said Hgry"ch.

"My father was a man of truth," Hgry"ch continued, "Many years ago, when international calls were expensive, someone called him from abroad, and lengthened the conversation. My father wondered, these calls are expensive, and one should make it short as possible. The latter tried to put the mind of my father at ease, that he found a trick by which he lowers the calls to a minimum. My father realized that the way is illegal and he raised his voice and said: 'so you're a thief and cheat the people and I do not want to talk to you' and slammed down the phone".

Following the line of eulogies, the funeral procession continued towards the Rabbanim plot on Har Hamenuchos.

During Kaddish he overcame himself and stood on his feet

Hgr"y's condition was complicated in recent decades. He suffered severe back pain that did not give him rest.


A few months ago, he had complex back surgery that was supposed to ease the pains. Indeed, tests which were made later, showed no worrisome findings, and it seemed that he was going on a path of recovery. However, Hgr"y was exhausted and did not get better.

Acquaintances say that he used to daven Mincha every afternoon at the Kashruth board offices. During the last period of his life he was forced to sit in prayer, because of his weakness. Despite this, three weeks ago, on the yartzeit of a parent, while reciting Kaddish he raised to his feet; regardless of the strengths he had run out of.


Two weeks ago, while sitting in the last Badatz hearing, he suddenly felt ill. Secretary of Badatz asked for a doctor and Hgr"y had no objection, but instructed to continue the hearing until it arrives. When the doctor arrived, he ordered immediate hospitalization after checking him and noticed a number of physical parameters that do not respond. Signs pointed to a stroke. Upon arriving at hospital, he immediately conducted extensive preliminary testing showing that his body systems are not in working order.



Further examination confirmed the harsh reality. Hgr"y had a malignant disease which had spread through his body. Since his physical condition did not allow treatment, Hgr"y was hospital only three days, and then was transferred to a nursing home in Ramat Tamir in Jerusalem.

Until last night, Hgr"y still responded to those around him; in the evening he lost the power of speech and again did not respond. Doctors noticed that his condition is grave and deteriorating, but did not rush him back to the hospital, since they concluded that they could not help him. Before ten o'clock this morning, the final test results came from the hospital, but they were no longer relevant. At exactly these minutes, Hgr"y closed his eyes and returned his soul to its Creator.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!