Bnei Brak Rabbi Meir Tzadok Saleh Dies Suddenly Minutes Before Hospital Discharge

The religious community in Bnei Brak mourns the sudden passing of Rabbi Meir Tzadok Saleh, the 75-year-old rabbi of the Etz Chaim synagogue in the Shikun Hei neighborhood. Rabbi Saleh had been hospitalized at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer for a cardiac catheterization procedure, which was successful, and he was preparing for discharge when he unexpectedly collapsed and died peacefully just minutes before leaving the hospital.

Rabbi Saleh was a direct descendant of the renowned Maharitz, a leading figure in Yemenite Jewish scholarship. Throughout his life, he was deeply devoted to Torah study and preserving the ancient traditions of Yemenite Jewry. For decades, he served as the esteemed rabbi of the Etz Chaim synagogue on Levi Yitzchak Street, where he was known for his humility, noble character, and gentle leadership.

His influence extended beyond Israel, as he occasionally traveled abroad to provide spiritual guidance and Torah teachings to other Haredi communities. Rabbi Saleh's funeral took place on Monday afternoon, with a procession from Bnei Brak to Jerusalem, where he was buried on the Mount of Olives. He leaves behind a large grieving family and a community deeply saddened by the loss. The family is sitting shiva at the Etz Chaim synagogue in Bnei Brak.