Baruch Dayan HaEmes (Blessed is the True Judge): The Kabbalist Rabbi David Batzri zt"l Passed Away on Erev Succos

With great sorrow and an aching heart: The gaon (Torah genius) and Kabbalist Rabbi David Shalom Batzri zt"l (of blessed memory), the elder of the Kabbalists of our generation and Rosh Yeshiva of the "HaShalom" Yeshiva for Kabbalists in Jerusalem, returned his soul to his Creator on Friday, the 14th of Tishrei 5787, Erev Succos (the eve of the Succos festival), at the age of 85.

Rabbi Batzri collapsed suddenly at his home on Rabbi Landau Street in Bnei Brak. Rescue teams performed prolonged resuscitation efforts, and he was rushed to the Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer, where he returned his pure soul to his Creator.

Who Was Rabbi David Batzri

Rabbi David Shalom Batzri was born in Jerusalem on the 14th of Av 5701 (1941) to his father Rabbi Yosef Batzri and his mother Rebbetzin Victoria. He was the scion of a magnificent dynasty of Babylonian Torah scholars, and on his mother's side, he was a descendant of Rabbi Yosef Chaim, the author of the "Ben Ish Chai," and the Kabbalist Rabbi Yehuda Fatiyah.

In his youth, he studied at the "Porat Yosef" Yeshiva in the Old City, where he merited to learn from the greatest sages of the generation, including Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, who later served as the Chief Rabbis of Israel. He received the teachings of Kabbalah from his father-in-law, the great Kabbalist Rabbi Salman Mutzafi.

Together with his son, the Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Batzri, he founded the "HaShalom" Yeshiva for Kabbalists in the Makor Baruch neighborhood of Jerusalem, named after Rabbi Shalom Sharabi, the Rashash. The yeshiva became one of the most important centers for the study of Kabbalah in Jerusalem, and prayers there are conducted according to the Kabbalistic meditations (kavanos) of the Rashash.

For decades, Rabbi David Batzri stood in the breach for the sake of the Jewish people. He convened prayer gatherings throughout the year, delivered classes of spiritual strengthening across the country on Shabbos observance, modesty, and family purity, and thousands visited his home seeking a blessing, counsel, and spiritual rectifications (tikkunim). Rabbi David Yosef, the son of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l (of blessed memory), testified that a "special and deep connection" existed between Rabbi David Batzri and his father.

His wife, Rebbetzin Tziporah a"h (peace be upon her), passed away on Erev Pesach 5780. He is survived by sons who continue his path, led by the Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Batzri.

Together with Morinu HaRav Berland and Maran Rabbi Ovadia at Yad Eliyahu

One of the most memorable moments in the connection between Rabbi David Batzri zt"l (of blessed memory) and Morinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days) occurred on Erev Shavuos 5760 (June 2000). A historic gathering took place at the Yad Eliyahu Stadium in Tel Aviv, attended by thousands, led by Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l and Morinu HaRav Berland.

Rabbi David Batzri opened the event with introductory remarks. Following him, Morinu HaRav Berland ascended and delivered his address, during which he made the famous declaration, "There are no wicked people in Israel!" Afterward, Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef delivered words of Torah. The gathering reached its climax with the recitation of "Shema Yisrael" and the collective acceptance of the yoke of Heaven by the entire audience.

The full event, including the opening remarks of Rabbi David Batzri, can be watched here: Yad Eliyahu Stadium, Erev Shavuos 5760: A Historic Gathering with Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l and Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a.

"I Personally Know His Righteousness and His Holiness"

In the year 5774, during a period when many false rumors were spreading, it was published on the internet that Rabbi David Batzri had supposedly spoken against Morinu HaRav Berland. When an avreich (Torah scholar) from the yeshiva asked him about this during the Vatikin (sunrise) prayer on Friday, the 28th of Adar I 5774, Erev Shabbos Parshas Shekalim, the Rav stepped out of the Beis Midrash (study hall) and responded with great pain:

"I have never spoken against Rabbi Berland!! I personally know his righteousness and his holiness... Every day I am in sorrow and I cry over what they are doing to him!! How could I speak about him?! ... This is a terrible desecration of Hashem's Name!! It is a disgrace to the Torah that they say such things in my name!!"

According to the testimony of the avreich, which was published in the "Kenishta Chada" newsletter (Issue 29, Purim 5774), the entire congregation followed him out in the middle of the prayer. On Motzaei Shabbos (Saturday night), the Rav personally approached the avreich and asked if he had ensured that the false statements were deleted and that the truth was publicized.

In the years that followed, Rabbi David Batzri repeated his words. An avreich from his kollel, who is close to his household, related that when he asked him again about the statements attributed to him, the Rav replied: "They say such things in my name? ... Heaven forbid." The full remarks were published here on the site: Rabbi David Shalom Batzri: "I Do Not Forgive Them".

Baruch Dayan HaEmes (Blessed is the True Judge)

The passing of Rabbi David Batzri zt"l on the eve of the holiday of Sukkos, just hours before the "Time of our Rejoicing," is a great loss to the world of Torah and Kabbalah, and to the entire Jewish people. He was a Kabbalist who spent all his days engaged in prayer for the collective and the individual, and who knew how to recognize and cherish the tzaddikim of the generation.

May his memory be blessed, and may his merit protect us and all of Israel. May his soul be bound in the bond of life.

Read more

• Yad Eliyahu Stadium, Erev Shavuos 5760: A historic gathering with Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and Rabbi Eliezer Berland
• Rabbi David Shalom Batzri: "I do not forgive them"