The levaya for HaGaon HaRav Mordechai Shmuel Ashkenazi ZT”L will begin on Thursday morning 24 Teves at 10:00AM from the mora d’asra’s home in Kfar Chabad. The levaya will pass the shul, Beis Knesses Heichal Hatorah and then head to the Old Beis Hakvaros in Tiveria where the rav’s mother and father are buried.

The gabbai of the community has already signed to appoint the niftar’s eldest son to assume his role, Rabbi Meir Ashkenazi of Tzfas. The Chabad Beis Din in Eretz Yisrael met to determine who would assume the niftar’s role and their decision was made. An official announcement will be made during the levaya.

The rav was traveling to the Old Beis Hakvaros in Tiveria on Wednesday 23 Teves when he pulled over because he was not feeling well. He called for assistance and then went into cardiac arrest. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate him but the rav was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Tel Hashomer Hospital.

The rav was heading to the Beis Hakvaros for the Yarhzeit of his father. He was niftar on the same day, at the age of 70. Today, on the day of his kvura, the rav was to mark his 40th anniversary as mora d’asra of Kfar Chabad.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)