Baruch Dayan, the true judge: At the 'Laniado' hospital in Kiryat Sanz in Netanya, the leader of the people of mercy, Rabbi Yaakov Shalom Fisher, z"l, one of the most prominent Arlui Hasidim, passed away this morning (Thursday), at the age of 65, after battling a serious illness for the past two years.
The late Rabbi was born on the 13th of Iyar 5717, to his father, the late Rabbi Shimshon Fisher, an Arlui Hasid, and his son was educated in Hasidic institutions.
He was orphaned by his father - who died on his way to his older brother's wedding in a train carriage in London - when he was 7 years old, and later, when he saw a blessing in his business, he donated his fortune to the world of Torah and Hasidism - but mainly devoted his time and fortune to orphans. He gave dowries to orphans and had dozens of orphans and widows who dined at his table.
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He was connected in heart and soul to the Rebbe of the Arlui Court, the author of the 'Imri Sofer' of Arlui, the late Rebbe, and the current Rebbe, and was even blessed to be married to the Rebbe's family, after his eldest daughter married the Rebbe's grandson.
He had a special connection with all the great men of Israel, including the "milkman" Rabbi Chaim Cohen of Givatayim, and a synagogue in one of the IKEA branches was named after him.
His vacation home in the city of Safed hosted great rabbis and rebbes, as well as orphans and widows.
According to Calcalist, his fortune is estimated at more than a billion shekels.
He began his business career by operating a restaurant in Tel Aviv, and later as an industrialist at the 'Ner Zion' candle factory and then at the 'Palace Industries' company for disposable utensils and similar products. When he entered the big business world, which he stormed into, he was still an unknown figure.
According to Calcalist, it was when he met businessman Matthew Bronfman in the early 2000s and the two teamed up to acquire control of Blue Square and the Mega chain along with Dudi Weissman and Shraga Biran. The partnership did not last long, and Fisher and Bronfman sold their shares in Blue Square in January 2007.
Two months later, the two purchased 19.81% of the shares of Shufersal and the ultra-Orthodox Yesh chain, and held control of the retail chain alongside Nochi Dankner. They sold the shares after about a decade - at a large profit.
Bronfman and Fisher purchased IKEA Israel from the Co-op chain in 2005 for $38 million. The company then included one branch in Netanya and has since expanded to six branches, with a seventh to be established in Ashdod. The company's revenue is estimated at NIS 1.7 billion per year.
The two had less success with the real estate company Israelum, which operated in Eastern Europe, in which they acquired control in 2010 for 170 million shekels and sold it a year later for 25 million.
Quietly and modestly, he helped thousands with acts of kindness.
Over two years ago, he fell seriously ill, and in recent weeks his condition has deteriorated.
Last week he was hospitalized in intensive care at Laniado, where he was sedated and ventilated. Today, to the dismay of his family, acquaintances, and fans, he passed away.
He left behind nine children and many descendants who continue his path in acts of charity and kindness.
His brother is the leader, Rabbi David Fischer, one of the most prominent Chabad Hasidim.
His funeral will leave at 12:00 from the Laniado Medical Center, at 14:00 from his home at 3 Rozovsky Street in Bnei Brak, and at 16:00 from the Great Arlui Seminary in Katamon - on its way to Mount Hamunehot.
