The Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim Cohen Perachia zt"l, 'The Milkman,' Has Passed Away

The Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim Cohen Perachia zt"l (of blessed memory), known as 'The Milkman,' passed away today at the age of 84, following a period of serious health issues. His funeral will be held tonight at 9:30 PM at the Sanhedria Cemetery in Jerusalem.

Two months ago, Rabbi Chaim Cohen zt"l was hospitalized in the intensive care unit of Sheba Hospital at Tel Hashomer after feeling unwell—and since then, he remained sedated and on a ventilator in serious condition. His students called upon the public to pray for his recovery and held special prayers at the graves of tzaddikim (righteous ones), including the graves of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron, Shmuel HaNavi (Samuel the Prophet) in Jerusalem, and the Baba Sali in Netivot.

Rabbi Cohen, who earned his nickname "The Milkman" after establishing the "Deshen" dairy in Tel Aviv with his family, was considered one of the most prominent Kabbalists in the field of Kabbalah since the 1960s, when he studied alongside a group of Kabbalists who were nicknamed after their professions.

At a Bris Milah (circumcision ceremony) held about three months ago at the synagogue of the Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim Cohen shlit"a (may he live long and good days), "The Milkman," in Givatayim for the great-grandson of our teacher, the holy Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Berland shlit"a—the son of Reb Zephaniah Sheinfeld, son-in-law of Reb Yehuda Goldblum shlit"a, who is the son-in-law of Rabbi Berland—Rabbi Berland shlit"a and "The Milkman" met for the first time, shook hands, and spoke together for several minutes.

The relationship between the two was warm and loving, appearing as if two old acquaintances had met. Our teacher, Rabbi Berland shlit"a, blessed "The Milkman" with long life and health, and that he should lead the People of Israel to see the face of Mashiach (the Messiah). "The Milkman," for his part, kissed the hand of Rabbi Berland shlit"a and, with holy excitement, returned the blessing to Rabbi Berland as well, saying, "Together [we will lead the People of Israel toward King Mashiach]."

At 7:30 PM, the casket of the Rav zt"l will pass by the "Beit Yosef" synagogue at 11 Gilboa Street, Givatayim. At 8:00 PM, a bus will depart from near the synagogue at 196 Ben Gurion Street, corner of HaEtzel, Givatayim, directly to Jerusalem, and at 9:30 PM, the funeral will be held in Jerusalem at the Sanhedria Cemetery (house of life).