Maran Ovadia Yosef Shlita made a trip to Massiyahu Prison on Monday to visit with Shlomo Benizri before Rosh Hashanah. Accompanying the Rav was Rav Shimon Badani Shlita, a member of the Rav’s Torah Council, Minister Eli Yishai, R’ Refael Pinchasi, the Torah Council secretary and the Rav’s personal assistant, R’ Tzvi Chakak.
The visit took place in the warden’s office, and Benizri was wearing a prison uniform as is required of inmates.
According to a Kikar report, the Rav told prisoners to “take advantage of the time, and to take advantage of Benizri’s presence” to use it to the maximum.
Other reports indicate Benizri’s is not in a good state, perhaps even depressed, with Badani explaining the visit was a showing of support for Benizri and all that he has accomplished. Rav Badani added that thousands will be missing R’ Benizri’s torah lectures and if not for him, many who have since undertaken to live a torah life might have become murderers instead.
One of Benizri’s sons, Netanel, confirms prison officials are permitting a family visit on Tuesday, but the number of people is limited and all of the children will not be permitted to see their father before Rosh Hashanah.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
i think that author yechiel spira should start calling good yids by their names or proper title. I think that Rabbi Benizri or simply ex minister benizri or even Mr. Benizri would have been more halachically proper to use than PRISONER benizri.