President Reuven Rivlin on Monday, 10 Nissan, made a trip to Bnei Brak to visit HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita. Mr. Rivlin was escorted by Betar Illit Deputy Mayor Yitzchak Ravitz, who also happens to be the son of his long time close confidant and bureau chief Mrs. Rivka Ravitz.

According to statements released to the media, the president wished to receive a bracha from Rav Chaim before yomtov. The president explained his lineage to Rav Kanievsky, and how he is a descendant of Rav Hillel of Vilna, brother of the Vilna Gaon. Rivlin asked Rav Chaim if he is familiar, to which Rav Chaim stated he is.

President Rivlin explained he came to receive a bracha from “the most significant leader of chareidi Jewry in Israel and the world, asking for a bracha for achdus among Am Yisrael”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)