Maran Ovadia Yosef Shlita made a trip to Massiyahu Prison on Monday to visit with Shlomo Benizri before Rosh Hashanah. Accompanying the Rav was Rav Shimon Badani Shlita, a member of the Ravs Torah Council, Minister Eli Yishai, R Refael Pinchasi, the Torah Council secretary and the Ravs personal assistant, R Tzvi Chakak.
The visit took place in the wardens office, and Benizri was wearing a prison uniform as is required of inmates.
According to a Kikar report, the Rav told prisoners to take advantage of the time, and to take advantage of Benizris presence to use it to the maximum.
Other reports indicate Benizris is not in a good state, perhaps even depressed, with Badani explaining the visit was a showing of support for Benizri and all that he has accomplished. Rav Badani added that thousands will be missing R Benizris torah lectures and if not for him, many who have since undertaken to live a torah life might have become murderers instead.
One of Benizris sons, Netanel, confirms prison officials are permitting a family visit on Tuesday, but the number of people is limited and all of the children will not be permitted to see their father before Rosh Hashanah.
(Yechiel Spira YWN Israel)
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One Response
i think that author yechiel spira should start calling good yids by their names or proper title. I think that Rabbi Benizri or simply ex minister benizri or even Mr. Benizri would have been more halachically proper to use than PRISONER benizri.