Torah Jewry was saddened by the petirah of the well-
known askan and man of chessed, R' Yosef
Vahabah, who returned his pure soul to its Maker on
Wednesday, the 13th of Kislev. Although R' Yosef lived to a
ripe old age, he was in possession of his full capacities and
energies until his very end. One of the most prominent and
venerable askonim of Ashdod, he devoted his entire
life to kiruv rechokim and extensive Torah
activity.
R' Yosef was born 85 years ago in Egypt. When he was still
young, he began to devote himself to strengthening religion.
Seeing the deteriorating situation of the youth of Egypt, he
founded a Jewish school so that the younger generation could
study within their own tradition.
Throughout his life, he displayed remarkable mesiras
nefesh for Torah, and with ardor and fervor he strove to
fulfill his lifelong goal of spreading Torah and Yiddishkeit,
especially among those who were distant from Torah.
Even as a youth, he remained staunch as a rock in his
safekeeping of the halocho, even if this meant
battling the wealthy and powerful magnates of the Jewish
community of Egypt. When he arrived in Eretz Yisroel, he also
became deeply involved in extensive Torah and chessed
activities.
Thirty years ago, in Ashdod, he founded the Ahava Ve'achva
organization whose name symbolized R' Yosef's entire essence.
Throughout his life he was troubled by strife between the
various sects of Jewry and he called to all who fear Hashem
to maintain harmony, regardless of their origin. He himself
embodied the concept of achdus by means of his
kindness toward others and the genial manner in which he
related to everyone, without checking their affiliation or
roots.
A number of years later, he began to publish the Torah
leaflet, Hameir, which was distributed every Shabbos
in hundreds of synagogues, and which contained explanations
on the parsha and other words of Torah. He made
certain that this leaflet was published and distributed on a
steady basis, and was the spearhead of the concept of the
Torah leaflet, which has become so popular in our day.
Last week, he underwent a heart operation, However, to the
dismay of his many admirers and acquaintances, he did not
arise from operation. At the end of the shiva week, a
hiso'rerus rally was held in his memory the Ramchal
synagogue in Ashdod. Hespedim were delivered by the
Chief Rabbi of Ashdod, R' Yosef Sheinin, and as well as by
the Admor of Melitz, and other rabbonim.
