Renowned Kosher Slaughterer Rabbi Mordechai Galai Dies at 75
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Rabbi Mordechai Galai, a highly respected kosher slaughterer who served "the great rabbis of Israel," has died at age 75 in Bnei Brak after a prolonged illness. Known for his meticulousness and expertise, he was a senior supervisor for the Badatz 'She'erit Yisrael' kashrut authority. His passing is considered a significant loss to the rabbinate and the world of kosher slaughter. The funeral was held Sunday morning in Bnei Brak.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Mordechai Galai, a prominent kosher slaughterer, died at age 75 after a serious illness.
- He was known as the "slaughterer of the great rabbis of Israel" and was highly respected for his expertise.
- Rabbi Galai served for decades as a senior supervisor for the Badatz 'She'erit Israel' kashrut authority.
- He continued his work despite illness, even traveling for examinations shortly before his death.
- Chief Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar eulogized Rabbi Galai, calling his passing a great loss.
- Rabbi Galai experienced personal tragedies, losing a son and a brother in recent years.
Rabbi Mordechai Galai, a prominent kosher slaughterer known as the "slaughterer of the great rabbis of Israel," passed away at the age of 75 after a difficult illness. He died at Ma'ayanei Hayeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak. Despite his illness over the past year, Rabbi Galai continued his sacred work, with his condition deteriorating in recent days. Many leading rabbis visited him during his final days.
Born in Haifa in 1950, Rabbi Galai was the son of Rabbi Shalom Galai, a student of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky. He was a respected resident of Ramat Elchanan in Bnei Brak and was closely associated with Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein. Rabbi Galai was highly regarded for his expertise in kosher slaughter and knife inspection, with Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky himself relying heavily on his work. He served for decades as head of slaughtering systems and a senior supervisor for the Badatz 'She'erit Yisrael' kashrut authority.
Rabbi Galai experienced personal tragedy in recent years, losing his son Yechiel Yehoshua Galai last year after a prolonged illness, and his brother Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Galai in 2020 at the age of 73. The Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar, eulogized Rabbi Galai, praising his dedication to the highest standards of kashrut and his extensive knowledge of the laws of slaughter and inspection. Rabbi Bar noted that Rabbi Galai's commitment to training the next generation of slaughterers and inspectors was unwavering, even traveling to Haifa for an examination process just the week before his death, a feat doctors described as miraculous given his condition.
The funeral was scheduled for Sunday morning at 11:30 AM from his home in Bnei Brak to the cemetery. Rabbi Galai is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His brother, Rabbi Shimon Galai, also survives him.