The news of the petira of HaGaon HaRav Binyamin Batzri ZT”L, 57, spread quickly in southern Israel on Monday afternoon 13 Teves 5774. The rav leaves behind 12 children and thousands of talmidim.

The rav was stricken with excruciating pain in recent days and lost consciousness during the night. Doctors in Beersheva’s Soroka Medical Center did they best but they were unable to save him.

The niftar was Rosh Yeshivat Beit Yosef and Mora D’asra of the Kiryat Chareidis in Beersheva, Kiryat HaAvot. The niftar was a descendent of the Ben Ish Chai and related to Mekubal HaRav David Batzri Shlita.

The levaya began in the Kiryat Chareidis at 16:00 and kvura is in the Old Beersheva Beis HaChaim.

His rebitzen ob”m was niftar about a half year ago following a prolonged illness.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)