UTJ chairman and Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf used his opportunity to speak from the Knesset plenum on Wednesday to be maspid HaGaon HaRav Shimon Badani, z’tl, who was niftar early Wednesday morning.

“At the beginning of my words, I would like to speak about the bitter news that arrived this morning, the departure of the Zakein Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah and the revered leader of Yahadus Teiman in Israel,” Goldknopf began.

“The Jewish people in Israel and the Diaspora mourn the departure of the pillar of horaah and anavah of our generation, HaGaon HaRav Shimon Badani, z’tl. Anyone who ever visited his home – and I also had the zechus of visiting a number of times over the years for his advice and bracha regarding Shemiras HaShabbos and chinuch – I would stand dumbfounded every time from the tznius and simplicity in which he lived despite the fact that he was the leader of tens of thousands, with thousands of people flocking to his door.”

“HaRav Badani, z’tl, one of the leaders of Yahadus Teiman in Eretz Yisrael, is a remnant of a generation of Rabbanim and tzaddikim who are disappearing – those who have nothing in this world except for the daled amos of halacha and concern for the tzibur.”

“It’s a great loss that has no compensation. We should hear good news.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)