Rabbi Shalom Cohen, the chief rabbi of the ultra-Orthodox Sephardic community, passed away today, at the age of 91. Rabbi Cohen was hospitalized last week at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem after an infection developed in his leg, and tests revealed several other health problems in his body.
Rabbi Cohen, head of the Purat Yosef yeshiva in Jerusalem, served in recent years as the president of the Shas' Council of Torah Sages, and since the death of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef has been one of the leaders of the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel. He was born in 1930 in Jerusalem to Malka and Rabbi Ephraim Cohen, head of the Kabbalistic yeshiva. "Oz and Hadar", which was located in the Purat Yosef Yeshiva in the Old City. When he grew up he studied at the Purat Yeshiva in Jerusalem, he served as a rabbi (educator rabbi) and established another branch of the Yeshiva in the Katmon neighborhood.
Deri (right) and Rabbi Cohen, photo: Yaakov Cohen
In 1983, he was the first Sephardi rabbi to support the Shas party, then a municipal party in Jerusalem, and was added to the party's council of Torah sages a year later. After the death of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef in 2013, he was appointed to the position of president of the council, a position he held until his death.
Over the years The rabbi spoke out sharply on various issues on the agenda. Among other things, he came out against academic studies for ultra-Orthodox female students and spoke out against the playing of the national anthem. On two different occasions he explicitly or alludingly called religious Zionism Amalek. The chair is complete as long as there is Amalek, what is 'as long as, and the chair is not complete'?
A throne is a knitted cap, do you hear? As long as there is a knitted cap, the chair is not complete, it is Amalek, when will the chair be complete?
When there is no knitted cap," he said in the past.
Rabbi Cohen, archive, photo: Noam Rivkin Fenton
Last week, Rabbi Shalom Cohen was hospitalized at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem due to an infection in his leg.
The tests that were done revealed a number of other problems that dramatically affected his health.
On Thursday his condition worsened and he was admitted to the intensive care unit in order to monitor his condition.
On Saturday, his condition worsened further, and this was defined by his office as very serious.
Following his difficult situation, many public figures posted wishes for his recovery.
Prime Minister Yair Lapid wrote that "in my name and in the name of all the people of Israel, I wish a speedy recovery to the President of the Council of Torah Sages Hacham Shalom Cohen."
Opposition Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu wrote, "Praying together with all the people of Israel for the complete recovery of the President of the Council of Torah Sages, Rabbi Hacham Shalom Cohen." Shas Party Chairman Aryeh Deri wrote, "Out of anxiety for the well-being of our father, our teacher and our leader, Gadol Hador Maran Hacham Shalom Cohen, President of the Council of Torah Sages, prays in supplication along with all of Klal Yisrael for his complete and speedy recovery." A special prayer for healing was held on Shabbat night at the Yazidi Synagogue, with the participation of recognized rabbis. The prayer was broadcast on social media, satellite and ultra-Orthodox radio stations.
Despite attempts to stabilize his condition , the doctors had to determine the death of Rabbi Shalom Cohen at the age of 91. Crowds are expected to attend his funeral in Jerusalem
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