July 29, 2011

Thousands mourn murdered kabbalist

Follow JewishJournal.com on

Mount of Olives (Har Hazeiythim) taken from the East Gate of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Israel. Photo by Neilwiththedeal/Wikipedia

Thousands of Israelis gathered for the funeral of Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira, a prominent kabbalist murdered by an apparently disgruntled advice-seeker.

The 70-year-old Abuhatzeira was buried Friday on Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives, the day after he was killed at a Beersheva yeshiva, where he was receiving visitors.

Asher Dahan, 42, reportedly confessed to stabbing Abuhatzeira to death. The alleged killer had reportedly received advice from Abuhatzeira in the past and told police that he was disappointed that the rabbi had failed to solve his marital problems.

Abuchatzeira was eulogized by Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, and his funeral was attended by both of Israel’s chief rabbis.

Abuhatzeira was a grandson of the famed Moroccan-born kabbalist Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, better known as the Baba Sali.

“The Jewish people have lost one of their supporting pillars,” said Beersheva City Council Member Yaakov Ohayon, according to Haaretz. The rabbi was murdered while he was giving advice and guidance to people in need of his help. He has thousands of followers and he is one of the greatest rabbis in the world.”