HaRav Chaim Yisroel Sofer zt"l, a prominent
avreich in Jerusalem, was laid to rest on Erev Shabbos
Parshas Vayeiro after succumbing to a difficult disease at
the age of 41, ending a life of mesirus nefesh for
Torah and avodas Hashem the day after his eldest son's
wedding.
HaRav Chaim Yisroel was born to HaRav Moshe Yosef Sofer, the
son of HaRav Simchah Bunim Dovid Sofer the grandson of the
Yalkut Eliezer, and his mother Soroh Golde, the
daughter of HaRav Meir Cohen. He was the son-in-law of HaRav
Osher Freiman, a dayan and moreh tzedek in
Jerusalem.
HaRav Chaim Yisroel studied at Yeshivas Ponovezh, where he
earned distinction among the leading talmidim.
During his final days, HaRav Sofer gathered together his
children and told them, "I am very sick and I don't know how
much time I have left in This World, but you should know that
when I go, our Father in Heaven will watch over you, and if
this has been decreed, we must accept it lovingly and serve
Him wholeheartedly and with joy."
At the levaya, the deceased's father delivered a
eulogy in a tremulous voice, saying his son passed away
during the week in which we read about Akeidas Yitzchok,
which gave him the strength to bear the pain of his loss.
Hespeidim were also given by HaRav Freiman; HaRav Tzvi
Shapira, rosh kollel of Kollel Tal Torah in Jerusalem
where the niftar had learned for many years; HaRav D.
Mintzer, a friend since childhood and one of the roshei
yeshiva of Yeshivas Knesses Beis Yitzchok; his friend
HaRav Tzvi Braverman, a dayan and moreh tzedek
in Beitar Illit; and his newlywed son, R' Aharon.
HaRav Chaim Yisroel Sofer is survived by his wife and their
13 children, ranging in age from his newlywed son and
recently engaged daughter to a nine-month-old baby girl.
Based on directives from rabbonim, the Vaad HaRabbonim
LeInyonei Tzedokoh Be'eretz Hakodesh has set up a fund for
the widow and orphans. The rabbonim recommend that donors
contribute $10 per month for a period of 40 months. Donations
can be made by calling 1-800-22-36-36 or by direct deposit to
Bank Pagi, Branch 185, Acct. No. 105-454516. Mailing address:
Fund for Widow and 13 Orphans, POB 50585, Jerusalem.
