Ashdod Community Celebrates Talmud Study Completion and Rabbi Meir Cohen's Teachings

Dozens of participants gathered in Ashdod's "Harivaz" synagogue and study hall in the Gimmel neighborhood to celebrate the completion of the Talmudic tractate "Rosh Hashanah" and the commemoration of Rabbi Yosef Haim, known as the "Ben Ish Hai," 117 years after his passing. The weekly Torah study session, led by Rabbi Meir Cohen, president of the Union of Community Rabbis in the city and author of "Otzar Sifrei Halacha," culminated in a celebratory meal.

Rabbi Cohen, who has been delivering daily and weekly classes for decades, explained the final laws of the tractate concerning prayer and the Kaddish prayer. The opportunity to recite Kaddish was auctioned off to raise funds for the synagogue, with the winning bidder honoring Rabbi Cohen. Rabbi Ovadia Dahan, chairman of the Religious Council, spoke at the event, conveying blessings from Rabbi Haim Shimon Pinto, who was unable to attend. Rabbi Pinto praised Rabbi Cohen as a wise and righteous scholar, noting his nearly 50 years of Torah dissemination in Ashdod.

Rabbi Dahan also commended the dedication of the study group participants, some of whom have been in the city for many years and are deeply committed to their Torah studies. He highlighted Rabbi Cohen's personal dedication to teaching, drawing parallels to his own commitment to daily study. Rabbi Dahan referenced a teaching from Rabbi Ovadia Yosef about prioritizing spiritual pursuits over material desires.

Rabbi Pinchas Ben Harush spoke about the "Harivaz" synagogue's role in hosting a significant kollel (post-graduate Torah study group) for married scholars, which has expanded significantly, with hundreds of scholars now studying there regularly. He emphasized Rabbi Cohen's consistent message over the past two decades: "Torah above all."

Rabbi Meir Banai discussed the importance of a rabbi embodying the qualities of an angel to be worthy of being followed, referencing Rabbi Cohen's dedication to his students' spiritual growth. He recalled Rabbi Cohen's weekly classes on the "Ben Ish Hai" book some 35 years prior and offered blessings for continued health and leadership.