On erev Shabbos Nachamu, a large crowd accompanied the
well known tzaddik HaRav Shimon Ziat, zt"l, on
his last earthly journey. He was one of the venerable and
esteemed rabbonim of the Aram Tzova (Aleppo) community in
Eretz Israel, he was 95 at the time of his petirah.
HaRav Shimon, son of Reb Shaul and Salcha Ziat, was born on
the 23rd of Teves, 5665 in Aram Tzova. When he was very
young, his father passed away and, at the age of 14, he fled
to Mexico due to the hunger which prevailed in Syria after
the First World War. In his twenties he married Chana, of the
illustrious Katzin family. Together they founded a home which
was a model of Torah observance.
For scores of years they lived in Mexico City, where he
played an active role in the city's Torah affairs. Along with
his mentor the mekubal HaRav Mordechai Attias,
zt"l, he worked to disseminate Torah, build a synagogue
and a mikveh, and to draw the community closer mitzvos.
He also supported Torah institutions in Eretz Hakodesh
by establishing a network of donors in Mexico. All emissaries
who came to Mexico on behalf of yeshivos and Torah
institutions were familiar with the address of Chacham Shimon
Ziat, whose home was open to lomdei Torah.. The moment
they appeared at the threshold of his store, he would close
his business and accompany them to homes of the local
philanthropists. Many yeshivos and institutions are deeply
indebted to him for his chessed.
He was unique in his shemiras einayim. All of his sons
and grandchildren knew that when they passed him on the
street, he would not recognize them. They had to cry out,
"Saba, Saba," so that he would raise his eyes a bit in order
to greet them. When he was young, he adopted a bent posture,
and even non-Jews were amazed why so tall a person walked
about in that manner.
His son later Shlomo asked him why he held himself that way.
He replied with amazing simplicity and temimus: "When I
was young, my mentor HaRav Mordechai Attias told me: `Shimon,
since you have a special chein and special eyes, you
should always keep your eyes downward when you are in the
street,' and I did as commanded."
He maintained this practice throughout his life, and all of
his acquaintances described him with two words: "eved
Hashem."
His meticulous observance of halocho was well known, and
he taught others to be equally meticulous. It was well known
that in the synagogue of Chacham Shimon Ziat no one dared to
speak during the prayer service or the Torah reading. He
would also arouse others to be meticulous in the Torah
reading, and to pronounce every single word properly. He
spoke at length about tsnius and the obligation to
safeguard the modesty of our daughters.
In 5721 he moved to Eretz Yisroel with his entire family,
settling in Bnei Brak where his sons founded Torah
institutions and taught Torah. During the past five years he
suffered greatly, accepting his pain with love. He never
displayed signs of pain or distress, but would suffer in
silence in order not to burden others. He spent the Seder
night a few years ago at the home of his oldest son, Reb
Shaul, and happily sang with his grandchildren. The following
morning, the family learned that he had broken his ribs prior
to the Seder after having fallen in the synagogue, but
had not told anyone about the mishap in order not to ruin the
holiday simcha.
On Friday the 10th of Av, he returned his pure soul to his
Maker, while his sons, who surrounded his bed, recited Shema
Yisroel. His bed was taken to the Shetilei Zeisim Talmud
Torah where hespedim were delivered by HaRav Yehuda
Yosefi, by his mechutan, HaRav Rachamim Buchris, and by
HaRav David Adas and HaRav Maimon Sabach.
HaRav Ziat's son, HaRav Yehuda, director of the Shtilei
Zeitim institutions, related that his father had once won an
apartment in a lottery in Mexico, but willingly waived the
rights. When one of his sons asked him why he did so, he said
that he didn't want to be tempted to remain in Mexico instead
of moving to Eretz Hakodesh.
Because of the late hour, the levaya proceeded quickly
to Har Hamenuchos, where HaRav Yehuda Ades, the rosh
yeshiva of Kol Yaakov delivered a hesped. HaRav Ades
knew the niftar, who had helped him found his yeshiva.
HaRav Ades spoke of the niftar's rare character traits.
HaRav Shimon Ziat was buried Har Hamenuchos before Shabbos.
He is survived by his sons, Reb Shaul, Reb Yehuda (the head
of the Shtilei Zeitim institutions); Reb Yosef, the menahel
ruchani of Ahavat Shalom; HaRav David, the head of the
Torah Vechessed institutions; HaRav Shlomo and HaRav Avraham,
roshei kollel; HaRav Yitzhak, a well known educator and
HaRav Yaakov, one of the prominent avreichim and mezakei
horabim in Bnei Brak, as well as by sons-in-law who are
prominent rabbonim, and grandchildren and great
grandchildren, all of whom are following in his footsteps.
