A heavy cloud of mourning has descended upon the Torah world with the passing of HaGaon HaRav Meir Mazuz zt”l, Rosh Yeshivas Kisei Rachamim in Bnei Brak, a towering figure in the Sephardic Torah world and one of its most revered and uncompromising voices.
Rav Mazuz was hospitalized in recent days, and his condition deteriorated significantly just before his petirah on Shabbos, the seventh day of Pesach. He was 80 years old.
Born on the 13th of Nissan in 1945 in Tunisia, Rav Mazuz was the son of Rav Matzliach Mazuz zt”l, a leading figure in Tunisian Jewry and the founder of Yeshivas Kisei Rachamim.
From a young age, Rav Meir demonstrated brilliance in Torah and began teaching early on. After the tragic murder of his father, Rav Mazuz immigrated to Eretz Yisroel and, alongside his brothers, reestablished the yeshiva in Bnei Brak.
Under his leadership, Yeshivas Kisei Rachamim flourished into a powerhouse of Sephardic Torah learning, comprising a vast network of preschools, elementary and high schools, yeshivos ketanos and gedolos, and kollelim across Eretz Yisroel. Thousands of talmidim passed through its doors, imbibing his deep Torah knowledge, clarity in halachah, and commitment to mesorah.
Throughout the years, Rav Mazuz was never afraid to speak his mind. During the Gush Katif disengagement, he publicly protested and joined a letter supporting the ruling of the Rabbinical Council of Yesha, which called on soldiers to refuse orders that contradicted the Torah.
In 2015, ahead of the 20th Knesset elections, Rav Mazuz was recognized as the spiritual guide of the newly formed Yachad party led by Eli Yishai, though the party did not pass the electoral threshold. In subsequent elections, he continued to voice support for Otzma Yehudit, and more recently, expressed backing for both Shas and Otzma Yehudit.
The news of his passing elicited a wave of sorrow and hespeidim from across the Israeli rabbinic and political spectrum.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed deep sorrow, saying, “I begin the week with great pain over the passing of Maran HaRav Meir Mazuz zt”l. I merited to have a close connection with him, to receive his blessings, and to hear his sage advice. His powerful, unwavering voice, his psakim, and his spiritual legacy will continue to guide us for many years. I join in mourning with his family, his talmidim, and all of Klal Yisroel. Yehi zichro baruch.”
Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar described the loss as “a great tragedy for the Jewish people. Rav Mazuz – one of the leading Rabbanim of our generation – was a figure of Torah, humility, and Jewish pride. I was privileged to meet him, to be inspired by his character, and to receive his blessings. He was a clear voice of tradition and wisdom, conveying rare depth and sincerity. Yehi zichro baruch.”
Interior Minister Moshe Arbel also paid tribute: “With deep sorrow, I part from the great gaon, HaRav Meir Mazuz zt”l. In our final meeting just two weeks ago, he fondly recalled the days when I had the privilege of learning Torah in his home more than two decades ago. His towering spiritual presence will be deeply missed by the Torah world and all who cherished his teachings. Yehi zichro baruch.”
Finance Minister and leader of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich wrote: “Together with the entire House of Israel, I mourn the passing of the gaon HaRav Meir Mazuz zt”l. Rav Mazuz was a leader of Sephardic Jewry and one of the gedolei haTorah of our time. With his vast Torah knowledge and profound humility, he guided tens of thousands from across the spectrum of Klal Yisroel.”
The Chief Rabbi of Israel and President of the Chief Rabbinical Council, HaRav Kalman Meir Bar, shared a heartfelt hesped: “The Rosh Yeshiva zt”l was a symbol of diligence and love for Torah. Every moment of his time was devoted to deep Torah learning and halachic clarity. For decades, he raised thousands of talmidim in his holy yeshiva and in batei midrash across the country who remain loyal to his teachings and uphold his legacy.
“Rav Mazuz zt”l was a beacon of ahavas Yisroel, embracing every Jew regardless of background. He fiercely defended the sanctity and integrity of Eretz Yisroel, standing strong against any attempt to compromise its holiness or wholeness.
“His passing is a tremendous loss for the entire Jewish people, for the thousands of talmidim who followed his path, and for his illustrious family. His shiurim, halachic rulings, pure hashkafah, and meticulous approach to tefillah will remain an eternal testimony to his name until the coming of Moshiach.”
Yehi zichro baruch.
{Matzav.com}
