On Monday morning, HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita visited the kever of his rebitzen, Batsheva Esther A”H, in the Zichron Meir Beis HaChaim on the outskirts of Bnei Brak. Today marks the shloshim for the rebitzen. The Rav was joined by family members and the tefilos were concluded with Kaddish, which the Gadol HaDor recited in a tone that reflected the pain in his heart over the great loss.

According to Kikar Shabbat, despite pleas from askanim since the rebitzen was nifteres, to construct an ohel around the kever, the Rav would not agree. Efforts to persuade him that such a move was to benefit the tens of thousands that will visit the kever, but Rav Kanievsky remained adamant in his refusal.

It is reported that during the past month, thousands have visited the kever and mosdos have placed tzedaka boxes in the area.

The Rav explained he basis his decision on the ruling of the Chazon Ish ZY”A, who was not comfortable with the establishment of an ohel on a kever.

Today after mincha, the Rav will return to his regular seat in shul, the seat that he has been occupying for the past 60 years in the Lederman Shul near his home. A special place was made to accommodate the Rav during the shloshim.

Kikar adds that during the past month the rav was sandek in an average of four brissim daily, and he would recite the Kaddish after the bris l’ilui nishmas the rebitzen. With the end of shloshim, the Rav will stop reciting Kaddish.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)