Zohar reveals: "Arik Einstein did not repent because of Hapoel Tel Aviv""

In a special meeting of ultra-Orthodox Nahal soldiers held today (Tuesday) at the Lev Institute in Jerusalem with former actor Rabbi Uri Zohar, Zohar was asked: Why did his good friend and son-in-law, Arik Einstein, z"l, not follow in his footsteps on the path of repentance?

After a long pause, Zohar said in response: "There are people with greatness of soul... He was righteous, innocent and honest, and in terms of his nobility of soul - he was rare. His decency, his goodness, but he couldn't leave Hapoel Tel Aviv - he couldn't leave.".

During the meeting, Zohar recounted his life story, and explained the reasons that led him to recognize the Creator and repent.

He also said that the brass band of his time was shocked to hear the news of his conversion, as he was from the pioneering generation of artists who converted, alongside rabbi and painter Ika Israeli, and actor Mordechai "Popik" Arnon.

Zohar strengthened the soldiers, whom he called "the leaders of the next generation," in preparation for the High Holy Days and emphasized to them the privilege they had of being Jews. It should be noted that Zohar's own son served in the ultra-Orthodox Nahal Battalion in recent years.

Zohar and Einstein teamed up with several other artists and bohemians in the late 1960s to form the "Haburat Halul," which greatly influenced Israeli culture. This group produced films, Israeli songs that became classics, television programs, and music albums. The two, who were connected in heart and soul, also forged family ties, as Zohar's two sons married Einstein's daughters.

Upon Einstein's passing ten months ago, Zohar's eulogy said: "You lived only the good, you could not understand the bad. I say goodbye to you, you have overtaken us, I cannot leave you... They say a giant has gone, what a giant. You were one small candle of oil. Look how the entire people of Israel are crying over you, how they loved you. We know that you did good to many people - not because you are a singer or an actor, but because you are a person. When the Messiah comes, I will not look at him - I will look at you.".

The meeting with the ultra-Orthodox Nahal soldiers was organized by the Nahal Haredi Association, which accompanies the soldiers throughout their service. This is the second of two meetings with Nahal soldiers, with the first meeting being held on Sunday. The two meetings were attended by approximately 200 ultra-Orthodox soldiers from the battalion, who are in their mission year – in which they are completing their studies and preparing for their departure into life.