A spiritual leader, prominent halachic authority, and the bearer of a rare tradition of Tunisian Jewry passed away at the age of 80, after weeks of prayers for his recovery. Rabbi Meir Mazuz was the son of the late Kabbalist Rabbi Masliah Mazuz, who was murdered in Tunisia, and was regarded as one of the pillars of the Sephardic Torah world in recent generations. For decades, he led Torah institutions, taught countless students, and carefully preserved the traditions of his community—in pronunciation, study methods, liturgical poetry, and halachic (Jewish Law) rulings.
Netanyahu: Rabbi Mazuz carried the heritage of Tunisian Jewry with pride
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said:
“Together with so many others in the nation, I deeply mourn the passing of Rabbi Meir Mazuz zt”l—one of the greatest Torah sages of our time, head of the Kisse Rahamim Yeshiva, and a pillar of halachic leadership and the rich tradition of Sephardic Jewry.
I had the privilege of meeting and speaking with him, and was always impressed by his wisdom, insight, and humility. Rabbi Mazuz carried the heritage of Tunisian Jewry with pride, raising generations of students who continue his path. I am confident that his unique spirit will be remembered for generations, and the light of his Torah will not be extinguished.”
Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef: Sephardic Jewry has lost an exceptional voice
Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef wrote:
“The great gaon (genius) zt”l was one of the faithful transmitters of our tradition, preserving the customs of his ancient community and the glorious heritage of Sephardic Jewry. He taught Torah to students for decades and brought merit to the public by spreading Torah widely.
Sephardic Jewry has lost an exceptional voice. May the Almighty comfort his distinguished family and bring consolation to his many students and followers among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. “May death be swallowed up forever, and may God wipe the tears from every face”. [(Isaiah 25:8)]Amen.”
Minister Moshe Arbel: “He will be deeply missed”
Minister of Interior Moshe Arbel wrote:
“With deep sorrow, I part today from our teacher and rabbi, the great gaon Rabbi Meir Mazuz zt”l, head of the Kisse Rahamim Yeshiva.
In our last meeting just two weeks ago, he fondly recalled the days I was privileged to study Torah in his home more than 20 years ago. His noble presence will be deeply missed by Torah scholars and all who learned from his teachings. May his memory be a blessing.”
Minister Ben Tzur: A builder of the Sephardic Torah world
Minister Yoav Ben Tzur added:
“At the close of the holiday, I received with great sorrow the bitter news of the passing of the great gaon Rabbi Meir Mazuz zt”l, head of the Kisse Rahamim Yeshiva.
He was one of the founders of the Sephardic Torah world, raising tens of thousands of students, upholding the crown of Torah, spreading light amid spiritual darkness in Israel and beyond.
He leaves behind students and family members grieving his loss. I share in their pain. May you be comforted from Heaven, and may you know no more sorrow.”
Shas: A remnant of a generation of wisdom, builder of Torah life
The Shas movement released a statement:
“Shas, together with the Council of Torah Sages and party chairman Rabbi Aryeh Deri, mourns the ascent to Heaven of the exceptional gaon, a remnant of a generation of wisdom, the son of the righteous, steeped in deep halachic learning, a builder of Torah life who upheld the foundations of faith according to our sacred traditions—preserving the prayer customs of Tunisian Jewry with utmost precision.
He enjoyed a close bond with Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt”l, and served as the spiritual leader of the distinguished Tunisian Jewish community for decades.
This is a great loss for the world of Torah and halacha. Shas sends heartfelt condolences to his distinguished family, especially his esteemed brother and his rabbi sons, and to the thousands of students and followers who studied under him. May God heal the fracture in His people and hasten our redemption. Amen.”
Gafni: May you be comforted from Heaven
MK Moshe Gafni, head of the United Torah Judaism party, wrote:
“Together with all of the “House of Israel”, we deeply mourn the passing of the great and righteous Rabbi Meir Mazuz zt”l, head of the Kisse Rahamim Yeshiva. We send condolences to his noble family, his students, and all who held him dear. May you be comforted from Heaven until the resurrection of those who dwell in the dust.”
Torah broadcasts, the Ish Matzliach prayerbook, and community outreach
Rabbi Mazuz was one of the first to deliver Torah lessons on the Haredi radio station Kol BaRama. He authored numerous halachic (Jewish Law) and scholarly works, and championed Torah education for all ages—from early childhood to advanced yeshiva study.
He emphasized the study of Talmud according to the Tunisian method, insisted on precise pronunciation in prayer, and even integrated regular study of the Tanach (all 24 sacred texts)—an unusual stance in the Haredi world, which generally focuses primarily on Chumash (the first five books) and Talmud.
He was also one of the foremost experts in liturgical poetry and was behind the prayerbook called Ish Matzliach, which preserves the unique prayer tradition of Tunisian Jewry.
Although naturally affiliated with the Sephardic Haredi camp, he was seen as relatively moderate—many of his students served in the IDF, and he maintained ties with public figures such as Minister Shlomo Karhi.
In the past, he helped establish the Yachad party with Eli Yishai—a political initiative aimed at bridging the gap between Haredi and Religious Zionist communities—but later returned to support Shas.
In recent weeks, amid his declining health, many prayers were held across the country for his recovery. Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, Aryeh Deri, and other rabbis called on the public to recite Psalms for his healing.
The funeral is expected to take place tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. in Jerusalem.
