When Tzaddikim Pass Away

Last week, the Sephardic Torah world was struck with shock upon the histalkus (passing away) to the heavenly realms of the Gaon (Torah genius) Rabbi Shlomo Ben Shimon zt"l (of blessed memory), a member of the Council of Torah Sages and the Ga'avad (Head of the Rabbinical Court) of "Neve Tzion."

This week, on Monday, the 10th of Adar, in the afternoon hours, our teacher Rabbi Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days) arrived at the home of his brother, the great Gaon Chacham Nissim Ben Shimon yibadel lechaim tovim (may he be distinguished for a long life), who is sitting shiva (the seven-day mourning period) at 9 Elisha Street. The Rav shlit"a comforted Rabbi Nissim on the passing of his elder brother. During the conversation, the Rav shlit"a explained that when tzaddikim (righteous ones) pass away, they bear the sin of the entire generation, and it is exactly like Jews being killed for Kiddush Hashem (the Sanctification of Hashem's Name), who are considered like a burnt offering for the entire public. After about twenty minutes of nichum avelim (comforting the mourners), the Rav shlit"a rose from his place while saying, "May the Omnipresent comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may you know no more sorrow."

Before you is documentation from the condolence visit: