The man who stood behind Yeshivat HaKotel for some three decades, HaGaon HaRav Yeshayahu Chaim Hadari ZT”L, was niftar in Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center at the age of 84. The levaya began on Wednesday, 10 Iyar, at 4:00PM.

YWN-ISRAEL reported on Tuesday that Tehillim were requested for the rav, who suffered internal cranial bleeding after falling in his home.

The yeshiva released the following message:

ניצחו אראלים את המצוקים ונשבה ארון האלוקים. מורנו ורבנו הרב חיים ישעיהו הדרי זצ”ל, ראש הישיבה, מייסדה ונשיאה נתעלה בסערה השמיימה. כולנו אבלים וכואבים ומבכים מרה

Rav Hadari served as Rosh Yeshiva for 30 years. .

Rav Hadari was born in Tel Aviv and studied in the Bilu School before attending the Yeshiva of the New Yishuv in the city. Later on, he was a student at the Hevron Yeshiva in Yerushalayim and eventually became a close follower of Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda HaCohen Kook.

He became the Mashgiach at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh after he got married. Three years after Jerusalem was liberated in 1967, Rabbi Hadari was invited to become the first Rosh Yeshiva of the new Yeshivat Hakotel. Rabbi Hadari retired some 20 years ago and has since devoted himself to learning Torah and writing fulltime. Following his tenure, Rabbi Chaim Katz took over before Rabbi Mordechai Elon succeeded him.

Following Rabbi Elon’s departure, Rabbi Hadari returned as the Rosh Yeshiva for two years until a new Rosh Yeshiva could be found in the personage of Rabbi Baruch Weider. Four years ago, Rabbi Hadari received an award of recognition of service from the city of Jerusalem.

Rabbi Hadari leaves behind him his wife, Naomi and their three daughters as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)