Rabbi Yisrael Meir Yosef Padida, a senior Torah educator and spiritual supervisor at the Otzrot HaTorah yeshiva in Bnei Brak, died suddenly on Tuesday at approximately 50 years of age. He also served as one of the heads of the Or Gaon educational institutions.
Rabbi Padida, who had been battling a serious illness in recent years while continuing to teach, collapsed at his home in the predominantly ultra-Orthodox city east of Tel Aviv. Emergency medical teams from Hatzalah and other services arrived at the scene and performed extended resuscitation efforts. He was transported to Maayanei HaYeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak while CPR continued, but doctors were unable to save him and pronounced him dead at the hospital.
The rabbi was considered among the most distinguished students of Rabbi Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi, who headed the Ateret Yisrael yeshiva. Over decades of teaching, Rabbi Padida drew from his mentor's Torah scholarship and ethical teachings, guiding thousands of students in religious study and moral development. He was widely beloved and respected by his students and colleagues in the haredi community.
Details about funeral arrangements are expected to be announced.
Baruch Dayan HaEmes.
