A Pillar of Sephardic Torah
The Sephardic world is mourning the loss of Rabbi Meir Mazuz zt”l who passed away at the age of 80. Revered for his unwavering devotion to Torah (Jewish learning), his steadfast preservation of tradition, and his profound humility, Rab Mazuz was far more than a scholar—he was a spiritual anchor for generations.
Born in Tunis in 1945, Rabbi Mazuz was raised in a home steeped in Torah and leadership. His father, the distinguished Rabbi Mazliah Mazuz zt”l, was a towering figure in Tunisian Jewish life. The path to leadership, however, was shaped by heartbreak. In 1971, the elder Rabbi Mazuz was assassinated in a hate-fueled attack. That same year, the family immigrated to Israel, carrying their Torah legacy with them. Together, the Mazuz brothers established Yeshivat Kisse Rachamim in Bnei Brak, reviving their father’s vision and planting seeds that would flourish into one of the most vibrant Sephardic Torah institutions in the country.
Under Rabbi Meir Mazuz’s leadership, Kisse Rachamim became more than a yeshiva—it grew into a network of Torah life. Schools, kollelim, and educational centers were founded across Israel. The system now serves over 1,500 students, each touched by the warmth, rigor, and authenticity that defined the rabbi’s approach.
Rabbi Mazuz was particularly devoted to preserving the unique customs and Torah style of Tunisian Jewry. He championed their method of iyun (deep, analytical study of Talmud) and insisted on precise Sephardic pronunciation in tefillah and Torah reading. He emphasized the beauty and importance of mastering Tanach, piyyut (liturgical poetry), and Hebrew grammar, weaving together tradition and scholarship with rare elegance. His teachings reflected not only intellectual brilliance but also a deep spiritual sensitivity that inspired awe and devotion.
In halachic (Jewish legal) matters, Rabbi Mazuz followed a path of balance and clarity. While respecting the rulings of great sages like Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt”l and Rabbi Shalom Mashash zt”l, he often charted his own middle course—grounded in sources, yet sensitive to the customs and needs of the Sephardic community. As the head of the Mishpat Tzedek rabbinical court, he guided many with thoughtful and compassionate rulings, always rooted in Torah truth.
While he participated in public affairs and offered guidance on political matters, his true calling and greatest passion remained Torah education and spiritual leadership. Even as his voice resonated in the national conversation, his focus never wavered from the sacred mission of transmitting Torah and strengthening the Sephardic tradition. In 2014, he became the spiritual leader of the Yachad – Ha’am Itanu party, and he later offered support to Shas, Otzma Yehudit and Likud candidates. Throughout, he remained devoted to preserving the values of Sephardic Judaism and defending its voice within Israeli society.
The Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Maran HaRab David Yosef Shlit”a, delivered an emotional eulogy at the funeral of HaRab Meir Mazuz zt”l. In tears, he stated, “Rab Mazuz commanded us not to eulogize him, but he didn’t command us not to cry for him… and so we will cry. How can we not cry?”
Tributes poured in from across the religious and political spectrum. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him “one of the greatest Torah scholars of our generation” and “a pillar of Jewish law and Sephardic tradition.” Rabbi Eli Yishai described him as a “pillar of fire” and “a faithful shepherd” who taught Torah to tens of thousands. Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar reflected on his humility and courage, while Interior Minister Moshe Arbel spoke of the honor of studying Torah in his home and the lasting impression of his noble presence.
The following paragraphs were written by Rabbi Joseph Dweck, Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community of the United Kingdom. He offered a powerful tribute that resonated deeply with those who knew Rabbi Mazuz or were shaped by his teachings:
“How great a loss! Those who are gone—and the likes of them are no longer found. We say this often when someone passes, for every soul is unique. But there are rare individuals whose entire world, outlook and life are so singular, so deeply impact the fabric of Torah and tradition, that with their passing, an entire way of being disappears with them.
Today Kelal Yisrael lost a giant—HaGa’on HaRav Meir Mazouz ztz”l Rosh Yeshiva of Kiseh Rahamim.
He was a bastion of Sepharadi Torah—embodying the nobility of the Hakhamim of Tunisia, whose Torah he carried with pride, clarity, and unwavering strength. He never bent to the winds of influence around him. He remained firm in the way of his father Rav Masliyah Mazouz zt”l and the entire holy world of Torah in which he was raised.
Rav Mazouz was legendary for his insistence on accuracy in speaking Leshon HaKodesh and for the need to be meticulous in language in all its facets—pronunciation, grammar, and structure. And from his care in these things, his Torah gained its power and splendour. His Torah knowledge was immense—not only in breadth, but in the surgical precision with which he learned and taught. With a single word in Mishnah, Talmud, a phrase in Rashi or Onkelos, a nuance in Rambam and Rishonim—he would uncover layers of meaning that few would notice.
He boldly and fearlessly defended the sacred customs of Sepharadi Jewry. I often quote what he said about our responsibility to pass down Torah and our traditions: ‘Those who have children and do not pass on the Torah and customs of their ancestors are thieves! One day their children or grandchildren will come to ask for them, and they will no longer be there. It belongs to them—it is their inheritance!’
He also referenced thinkers and ideas from outside the Beit Midrash incorporating them into his shiurim to illuminate truth wherever it could be found—despite criticism from some. To him, it was all an endeavour to know HaKadosh Barukh Hu. I remember reading the introduction to Arim Nissi (his Talmudic commentary) on Masekhet Gittin. There he wrote pages upon pages detailing the greatness of Rambam and Rashi—not through stories or folklore, but by uncovering the brilliance and depth of their Torah with powerful and elegant examples that only he could present.
Today, the Jewish people have lost a towering luminary. The Torah world has suffered a devastating blow. We have taken yet another step away from a world of Torah that was—impeccable in its toil and study, driven by its dedication to truth and connection with HKBH, and fearless in its integrity. Rav Mazouz lived and breathed it, and we are at a terrible loss without him. May his merit stand for his people and bring us to peace and salvation.”
Rabbi Meir Mazuz zt”l leaves behind children, grandchildren, and thousands of students whose lives he shaped. His teachings, his writings, and the institutions he built will continue to illuminate paths of Torah and emunah (faith) for generations. His legacy stands as a testament to the power of holding fast to one’s roots while elevating the future.
May his memory be a blessing, and may his teachings continue to inspire the Jewish people with strength, pride, and purpose.
