''He was a righteous man': Beloved writer Simcha Raz dies at age 93

December 4, 2024   

Baruch Dayan, the truth teller: The late writer Simcha Raz passed away today (Tuesday) at the age of 93. Wheelchair-accessible intercity buses: How will it work? In addition to writing dozens of books, Raz hosted programs for many years on the Israel Broadcasting Authority, on Galei Tzahal, and on Channel 7. The late Zalman was born as Simcha Zalman in 1931 in Jerusalem to his father, Rabbi Chaim Rakover, and his mother, Hannah Malka, and was named after his grandfather, Rabbi Simcha Mandelbaum, after whom the Mandelbaum Passage is named. Already in his childhood, his literary talents and love for the sources of Judaism were evident. He studied at the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva and was close to many great men of his generation. He was especially known for his books that presented the wisdom of Hasidism and Jewish thought in an inspiring way. One of his most notable books is 'He Was a Righteous Man' - the biography of the 'Tsaddik of Jerusalem' Rabbi Aryeh Levin zt"l - the bestseller on which generations of children and teenagers from all walks of life grew up. Many of Raz's writings were characterized by bringing stories, proverbs and words of wisdom that touched on everyday life, alongside conceptual analyses that expanded the cultural horizons of readers. Beyond his writing, Simcha Raz was a popular figure in lecture and discussion circles on Judaism, Hasidism and thought. In December 2020, Minister of Higher and Supplementary Education Ze'ev Elkin announced that Raz was one of the winners of the 'Minister of Higher and Supplementary Education Award for Jewish Culture for Lifetime Achievement' and for a significant contribution to the field of Jewish culture in Israel in 2018. His niece, the writer Hila Wollberstein, paid tribute to him: "We were informed with great sorrow that our great, dear and beloved cousin, David Simcha Raz, née Rakover, returned his pure soul to his Creator and he was 93 years old. David Simcha was named after his grandfather, Rabbi Simcha Mendelbaum, after whom the Mendelbaum Bridge in Jerusalem is named." She added, "David Simcha wrote dozens of books, and edited dozens of books, in rich and fluent language that goes straight to the heart." Books on Shabbat and the holiday, on the 313 commandments, on the great men of Israel throughout the generations, and more. These books have earned him the status of a first in the Jewish bookcase. Thanks to his touching writing, he has managed to make the values ​​of Judaism accessible to readers, and to bring them closer to great spiritual figures and inspire deep identification with their values. In his writings, he brings proverbial stories and words of wisdom that relate to everyday life. David Simcha had regular radio programs every week for decades. And with his warm and pleasant voice, he conveyed inspiring content to thousands of listeners, thanks to which the listeners arrived prepared to welcome Shabbat HaMalcha. He has also been invited to thousands of lectures all over the country and the world. "David Simcha was always welcoming, and had a very good eye for reality. In every phone call we spoke, even on days when he was not feeling well, he always thanked God for all the good He had done for him. When we asked how he was doing, he would say, like his master, Rabbi Aryeh, 'God is good, and with God's help it will be even better...' He left behind a wife, children, grandchildren, and many loving nephews who mourn his passing, and hundreds of thousands of readers who were inspired by his books, and built their moral and ethical worldview from his books and talks. Simcha Raz left behind a wife, children, and grandchildren, his brothers are Rabbi Baruch and Professor Nachum Rakover. His sisters: Naomi, married to Rabbi Yeshayahu Hadari; and Bayla and Rachel, married to Professor Moshe Yamer.