Rabbanit Simcha Simon Barkatz, Moroccan Rabbinic Descendant and Wife of Rabbi Yehoshua Barkatz, Passes Away

Rabbanit Simcha Simon Barkatz, wife of the esteemed Rabbi Yehoshua Barkatz and a prominent figure in the French-Israeli rabbinic community, passed away recently. She was the daughter of Rabbi Rafael Birdugo, the last rabbi of Meknes, Morocco, and granddaughter of Rabbi Yehoshua Birdugo, the former chief rabbi of Morocco, descending from the distinguished Birdugo rabbinic dynasty. Raised with a deep love of Torah and piety, she married Rabbi Yehoshua Barkatz and supported him throughout his leadership of thousands of French Jewish communities in Israel and abroad.

Known for her humility, kindness, and dedication to educating future generations in the traditional path, Rabbanit Barkatz was revered by family and community alike. In recent days, her health declined, and she passed away surrounded by her family. She leaves behind a blessed lineage of children and grandchildren devoted to Torah and mitzvot.

Her funeral took place on Sunday evening in Bnei Brak, starting from her home on Rav Sorotzkin Street and proceeding to the cemetery near the Ponovezh Yeshiva, where she was laid to rest. The community mourns the loss of a righteous woman who stood steadfastly beside one of the leading halachic authorities of our time.