It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of the longtime spiritual leader of the Johannesburg, South Africa Sephardic kehillah, Rav Aviyahu Levy zt”l, at the age of 80, after a period of illness.
Rav Levy was born and raised in the Musrara neighborhood of Yerushalayim. A close disciple of Chacham Yehuda Tzadkah zt”l, the rosh yeshiva of Porat Yosef, Rabbi Levy received semichah at a young age and was also deeply connected to the Baba Sali zt”l.
Fifty years ago, he traveled to Johannesburg on a mission to strengthen Torah life and was appointed as the city’s Sephardic rabbi. At the time, Johannesburg’s Jewish landscape was primarily Ashkenazic, with one of the leading communities led by Rav Moshe Sternbuch.
There was no Sephardic beis haknesses in the city when Rabbi Levy arrived, so he founded the first Sephardic shul in South Africa. He would go on to serve the community for decades with immense dedication, drawing close many Jews who passed through the country and reconnecting them to Torah.
He was also known for assisting the Shuvu Banim community during their time in Johannesburg about a decade ago.
Rabbi Levy passed away without any children, and all are requested to learn Torah l’iluy nishmas Rav Aviyahu ben Yosef veChassiva.
The aron is scheduled to arrive in Eretz Yisroel tomorrow. The levayah will take place on Tuesday at 1:00 PM at the Sephardic eulogy hall at Har HaMenuchos in Yerushalayim, followed by kevurah.
Yehi zichro baruch.
{Matzav.com}