prominent deaths - BDH

Today 2 prominent people passed away.

One was Yisroel Segel. He died at the age of 63. He was a journalist and broadcaster. He headed the Israel Broadcasting Authority for a number of years as well. He was an accomplished author. He is the brother of HaRav Dan Segel of Yerushalayim who is one of the leading "Mashgichim" of this generation. The two brothers had a falling out many years ago when Yisroel chose to be not religious. They broke ties and never made nice. Yisroel over the years became not just secular, but virulently anti-religious.

YS recently suffered a coronary while driving on the Ayalon Highway and ended up in the hospital (both for the coronary and the subsequent accident). After being released, he recently went back in due to his deteriorating situation.

After he was released from the hospital the first time (from the coronary) he related that while in his coma he had gone up to heaven and met his father. He says they made peace with each other at this meeting..

The second death was of Rav Avraham Shapira at the age of 96. He had served as Chief Rabbi of Israel. Rav Shapiro was also head of Yeshivas Merkaz HaRav, the most prestigious yeshiva of the National Religious community, and was one of Religious Zionism's leaders. He was, by all accounts - even among the haredi public - a prestigious Rosh Yeshiva and a brilliant mind. He had corresponded extensively in halacha with the Chazon Ish.

Baruch Dayan Ha'emes.