HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita made a shiva visit to the aveilim mourning the loss of Rabbi Rafael Halperin z”l. The aveilim are sitting shiva in Bnei Brak, the home of the late rav z”l. The rav was niftar on Shabbos, in his home, at the age of 87.
He was born in Vienna, and arrived in Palestine at a young age with his parents. During his early years, he focused on sports, weightlifting and martial arts, becoming a champion, earning the title Mr. Israel. He moved to the United States for a number of years, working as a professional wrestler in the US during the 1950s. He ultimately returned home, and after the 1973 Yom Kippur War, he strengthened his observance in Torah and mitzvos, becoming an outspoken voice towards persuading people to close their shops on Shabbos. At one point, he worked on developing a chip that would be incorporated into credit cards, rendering them inoperable on Shabbos.
He became a most successful businessman in Israel in his own right, launching Halperin Optical, offering quality eyeglasses and related services at a sharply reduced price, ultimately spreading out to 120 branches nationwide.
In addition to his encyclopedia Beis Yisrael, he was well published in other areas, including kashrus. Many viewed him as a leading authority on matters pertaining to Torah and technology.
The rabbi is survived by his wife and seven children, as well as over 50 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
Rav Halperin had 12 children.
I remember him from the years when he wrestled in the US 1952-1955.He was a hero to all of the yeshiva kids.He even spoke at some of the yeshivas on the subject of physical fitness.
Rightfully or wrongfully, he represented Israel among the millions of wrestling fans.His clean scientific tactics in some strange way was actually a kiddush hashem.
Realize this was almost 60 years ago.American yiddishkeit was very different.
I have to make one more comment so that people will know who this man was.
He was offered the very top position in wrestling.Headlining Madison Square Garden and all other venues in the US.
He turned it down immediately because of Shabbos.
The Halperin family is well known, respected family of the early Yishuv in Bnei Brak. Not at all unusual for Reb Chaim shlit”a to pay a shiva call, the families were connected and friendly for years.
Reb Halprein z”l was married twice and their are additional children from the first marriage. Yehi zichron baruch!