Memories at Abuhatzeira Shiva

By COLlive and news wires
Photos by Meir Alfasi

The murder of Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira, the “Baba Elazar,” on Thursday night saved the people of Israel from other tragedies, leading rabbis said Friday.

“Harsh punishments were decreed on the people of Israel, and he wanted to nullify them,” said the slain rabbi’s uncle, Rabbi Baruch Abuhatzeira, also known as the Baba Baruch, speaking at the funeral.

He added, “As he nullified many harsh decrees for us…We ask you, Rabbi Elazar: go before the Throne of Glory and pray there for the people of Israel. Pray for the entire family. Pray for your sons, your daughters, your grandchildren and wife,” Rabbi Baruch continued.

Another uncle of the Kabbalist, Rabbi Yashar Edrey, Chabad Rabbi in the city of Netivot, told COLlive: “This was a decree from heaven which is not understood. We used to discussed Chassidus together.”

Rabbi Edrey is the youngest son-in-law of the great Kabbalist Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira (1890–1984), known as the Baba Sali, a grandfather of the slain Baba Elazar.

Among the many who traveled to Beer Sheva to console the grieving family was a delegation from the Chassidic village of Kfar Chabad.

Rabbi Eliyahu Landa and Rabbi Meir Tzvi Gruzman, heads of the Central Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in Israel, came along with board member Menachem Lehrer.

Also present at the time was Rabbi Moshe Landa, Chief Rabbi of Bnei Brak and a Chabad chossid.

While conversing in Torah, Rabbi Dovid Abuhatzeira of Nahariya mentioned the close friendship and admiration between the Rebbe and the Baba Sali.

“Only because of the Rebbe did he remain in Israel,” the Kabbalist’s grandson noted. “The spiritual state of Israel was at a low point and he wanted to leave. The Rebbe’s instruction made him remain.”