Thousands of Ofakim and area residents and bnei torah were on hand on erev shabbos to attend the levaya of HaGaon HaRav Dov Solomon zt”l, head of the Ateret Shlomo kollel network, who succumbed to his difficult illness a the young age of 52.
He was born to Rav Gavriel Solomon zt”l, a most prominent Beersheva askan and a key player in the establishment of the area’s chareidi community and Chinuch Atzmai system. He learned in a local talmud torah but after his bar mitzvah learned with Rav Yaakov Edelstein Shlita of Ramat HaSharon. He continued there until achieving a level of notability in the torah community.
From there he moved to Ponovitz, and he became close to HaGaon Rav Eliezer Menachem Mann Shach zt”l, and others who quickly realized his abilities and devotion.
He married a daughter of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kamil zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Ofakim, as well as a leading force in the southern area chareidi community. For years he served as a rebbi in Kiryat Malachi, and then head of the Ofakim kollel network.
After the petira of his father z”l he established Beis Medresh Beis Gavriel, a mossad that attracted many new immigrants, bringing them into the fold of shmiras torah u’mitzvos. After the petira of his father-in-law he assumed the leadership of the Ateret Shlomo institutes, overseeing the spiritual development of hundreds of avreichim.
Despite the illness which inflicted him two years ago, the pain and suffering did not prevent him from continuing to spread torah, continuing for as long as physically possible.
He was niftar during the early hours of erev shabbos, in Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva. Thousands were on hand for the beginning of the levaya in the south, and thousands were also on hand when the aron arrived in Bnei Brak, led by Maran HaGaon Rav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita. Following the hespedim the procession continued to Kiryat Shaul, where the kvura was held, alongside his parents. He is survived by his wife and seven children, the youngest of which is 6.
Rabbonim Shlita have established a keren tzedaka on behalf of the widow and children, with the Vaad Rabbonim Le’Inyanei Tzedaka announcing the number of the keren is 2803.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
What a great loss of such a special person. He lived his life for others. He was a great “ba’al t’zddaka” even though he himself lived in poverty. His home was open to all – especially for those who were so – let’s call them repugnant for lack of a better word – that no one else would open their doors for. Even in the most difficult of times he always had a smile and a good word for others. By the way, I believe he is survived by 9 children (2 married). The special & outstanding kehila of Ofakim has now lost another of its great leaders; Rav Pinkus, Rav Kamil, and now Rav Solomon. Hashem, please cure all the broken of heart and spirit and send us Mashiach soon!