Through Fire and Water – By the Side of the Tzaddik

"I told them: Be careful for your own sakes, this is a holy tzaddik! If you only merit to receive a blessing from him – your lives will be different!"

A man of chesed (kindness), Torah, and nobility – a pillar of Torah and fear of Heaven in the exile: Parting from Rabbi Avihu Levi zt"l

Today, Tuesday, the 29th of Iyar, one of the prominent spiritual figures who grew from the Musrara neighborhood and became a pillar of the Jewish community overseas will be laid to rest in Jerusalem – Rabbi Avihu Levi zt"l (of blessed memory), the Rabbi of the Sephardic community in Johannesburg for nearly five decades. With his quiet yet determined personality, his sincerity, and the love for humanity that radiated from him – he succeeded in connecting hearts, bringing those far away closer to Judaism, and building a living and vibrant community under the challenging conditions of the golah (exile).

The public in Israel and the Diaspora bows its head with the histalkus (passing away) of the Gaon (genius) Rabbi Avihu Levi zt"l, one of the greatest students of Chacham Yehuda Tzadka zt"l and a true ben aliya (spiritually ascending soul), who dedicated his life to spreading Torah, strengthening Judaism, and bringing hearts closer – out of a level of mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice) that is unsurpassed.

Hundreds and thousands knew him not only as a Rabbi and Posek (halakhic decisor), but as a merciful father, a guide, and a man of truth, whose every path was peace and whose every conversation stemmed from pure yiras shamayim (fear of Heaven). In his humble yet firm way, he succeeded in building a magnificent community, preserving the tradition of the ancestors, and raising continuing students – even in a place where many find it difficult to maintain a life of Torah.

With characteristic modesty, he served in every role that required his heart and energy – shochet (ritual slaughterer), mohel (circumciser), chazzan (cantor), Moreh Hora'ah (halakhic authority), and community Rabbi – but above all, he was a spiritual father to dozens and hundreds, for whom he was the only light in a foreign land. Now, with his passing to his eternal home, his students, friends, and community members are left brokenhearted, yet full of gratitude for the merit they had to walk by his side.

One of the pillars of Johannesburg Jewry – and among the first to support the persecuted Tzaddik, even when everyone else was silent

However, the figure of Rabbi Avihu Levi zt"l was not summarized only by extensive public activity – but also by a rare spiritual courage. During a period when many were confused by a wave of rumors and false slanders, Rabbi Avihu stood in the breach and remained faithful with all his might to the Gaon and Tzaddik, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a. When the Tzaddik was persecuted and forced into exile from his land, Johannesburg was one of his stations – and there, he found a warm home and a listening ear in the figure of Rabbi Avihu, who did not heed the words of falsehood and placed himself as a fortified wall around the holy man of G-d.

In a special interview conducted with him and published in the "Knishta Chada" newsletter (Issue 34), Rabbi Avihu spoke with rare candor:

"When the Rav (Rabbi Berland) arrived for the last time, we were in a private house here, and it was like a pulling fire... everyone gave him a note, a kvittel (prayer request note), and also a pidyon (redemption of the soul) and a pidyon... they started to pray Maariv (evening prayer), and what a prayer – truly like Yom Kippur... everyone looked at the Rav and expected something from him – and it was enough just to see and enjoy the Ziv HaShechinah (radiance of the Divine Presence) of the Tzaddik..."

He described how in moments of truth, even in front of the immigration authorities, he stood with pride to protect the honor of the Tzaddik:

"I told them: Be careful for your own sakes, this is a holy tzaddik! If you only merit to receive a blessing from him – your lives will be different!"

A Rabbi who worked for years to preserve the Sephardic tradition, established institutions, and strengthened the masses, also knew how to identify clear truth and fight for it with devotion. Even in surprising events, such as a wedding that was arranged through wondrous Hashgacha Pratis (Divine Providence), Rabbi Avihu was there – to support, to strengthen, and to see miracles with his very own eyes.

A Legacy that Remains Engraved in Hearts

Rabbi Avihu Levi zt"l did not leave behind biological sons, but his passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of all who were privileged to know him – the members of the local community, his many students, families who still tell with excitement about key moments of blessing, prayer, or a good word from him – and of course, also among the community of Breslov Chassidim, who do not forget his steadfast standing at the right hand of the Tzaddik in times of trouble.

Rabbi Avihu's generation is diminishing – a generation that knew what true loyalty, mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice), and a pure gaze without interests meant. But his work remains. The homes he built, the souls he strengthened, the tradition he instilled, and his great love for the Torah, for the People of Israel, and for the Tzaddikim – continue to beat even after him.

May his memory be a blessing – and may his soul be bound in the bond of life with all the true Tzaddikim, Amen.