Deeply pained throngs of Bnei Brak residents, headed by
rabbonim, roshei yeshiva and a large group of
avreichim, accompanied HaRav Gavriel Raudi,
zt"l,on his last earthly journey last week.
HaRav Gavriel Raudi z"l, was one of the prominent
members of the Slonim Kollel in Ramat Gan. 52 years old at
the time of his petirah, he was niftar after a
brief illness. He left nine orphans, only three of whom are
married.
R' Gavriel was born in Pardes Chana. His father, Rav
Yeshaya,z"l, passed away when he was young. His mother
raised him with great mesiras nefesh to Torah and
mitzvah observance. As a youth he yearned to study Torah,
which he did with tremendous diligence. He was a role model
for his friends in the Or Torah and the Beis Meir yeshivos
where he studied: one of their finest students, who excelled
in humility and histapkus; and was destined for
greatness. Although he was a certified shochet, he did
not engage in this profession, but preferred to pore over his
Torah studies throughout his entire life.
Immediately after his marriage, he joined the Slonim Kollel
in Ramat Gan and established an outstanding Torah home. His
friends cite his outstanding conduct and exceptional
seder. They say that his good midos could
constitute a mussar work. He was a genuine oved
Hashem, as reflected in his integrity, his modest
lifestyle, and his meticulous observance of the laws of
shemiras loshon hora and generally being very careful
about the laws of proper speech.
Six months ago he learned that he was suffering from a
devastating illness. He accepted his suffering with love, and
justified Shomayim's decree. During that period, he
prepared for his passage into Olam Haboh, giving his
sons guidance and instruction. On 4 Shevat he returned his
pure soul, which had been refined by much suffering, to its
Maker.
The levaya was attended by masses of Bnei Brak's
residents. The main maspid pointed to the many
difficult tragedies which have occurred recently, and aroused
the public to do teshuvah. He said that even the
gentiles on the boat with the novi Yonah understood
that a storm at sea is not in vain. "Storms, which leave
homes without fathers and result in many orphans and widows,
obligate us to do intense teshuvah," the maspid
said. He noted that the niftar, who excelled in the
trait of shetika, studied Torah out of poverty. When
his pain intensified, in recent months, he did not complain,
but accepted his situation in silence.
Stirring words of parting were delivered by his son, Rav
Amir, who described the salient points of his father's unique
character, dwelling on the manner in which he accepted his
suffering with love. He also noted his dedication to his
children's chinuch, his shemiras haloshon and
shemiras ho'einayim.
Following the hesped, the levaya set out for
the Yarkon cemetery for burial.
A fund to support the family has been established. Donations
may be made by credit card to the Vaad HaRabbonim for the
Raudi Family Fund at 1-800-22-36-36. Donations may also be
mailed to POB 3110, Bnei Brak.
