The Sephardic Torah world was struck hard with the passing on 6 Adar of the Gaon Rabbi Shlomo Ben Shimon ztvk”l, member of the Torah Sages Council and Av Beit Din of “Neve Tzion.”

On Monday afternoon of last week, Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a came to the home of Rabbi Shlomo Ben Shimon’s brother, the great Gaon Chacham Nissim Ben Shimon, who was sitting Shiva on Rechov Elisha 9.   Moreinu HaRav shlit”a consoled Rav Nissim on the passing of his great brother.

The Rav shlit”a explained that when Tzaddikim pass away, they carry on themselves the sins of the generation, and this is mamash like Jews being killed for Kiddush Hashem (the sanctification of Hashem’s Name), and it is considered like an elevation offering of the community.  After about twenty minutes of Nechum Avelim (consoling mourners), Moreinu HaRav shlit”a rose from his place with the words “May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may you know no more sorrow.”