It is with a heavy heart that Belaaz shares the news of the Petirah of Hagon Hatzaddik Rav Aviezer Osher Zelig Shapira Zt”l, the Mashgiach of Yeshivat Kol Torah L’Tzeirim in Yerushalayim. He was 81 years old.

The Mashgiach had faced health challenges over the past few months, with his condition seeing various ups and downs. After a period of hospitalization, he had miraculously shown signs of recovery and was even able to return to the Yeshiva to continue his dedicated work for the Talmidim.

Unfortunately, his health took a turn for the worse over the last few days. He was niftar early Wednesday morning at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Yerushalayim, leaving his family and thousands of talmidim in deep mourning.

Harav Aviezer, zt”l, was born in Kfar Chassidim on 2 Adar, to his father, Harav Shlomo Aharon Shapira, zt”l, and his mother, Rebbetzin Rachel, a”h.In his youth, he studied at Yeshivas Kol Torah and later ascended in Torah and yiras Shamayim at the Chevron Yeshivah, where he basked in the presence of its illustrious Roshei Yeshivah.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he established his home with the daughter of Harav Meir Ephraim Winkler, zt”l, who served as the Rav of the Machzikei Hadas community in Copenhagen and later as a Rav in Yeshivas Torah Ohr in Yerushalayim. His father-in-law was the son of Harav Michael Shalom Winkler, zt”l, a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Europe.

In 5713 (1953), the niftar was appointed as Rav of the “Or Chaim” Beis Medrash in the Geulah neighborhood, which had been established by his grandfather’s cousin, the Gaon Harav Avraham Yaakov Shapira, zt”l. He served as the Admor of the Drohovitch Chassidus, continuing the legacy of the dynasty’s founder, Harav Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapira, zt”l.

His grandfather, Harav Aviezer Zelig Shapira, zt”l, was the son of the Rebbe of Gwoździec (Gwadzic), Harav Yitzchak Mordechai Shapira, zt”l, and the son-in-law of the founder of the Drohovitch dynasty. Harav Shapira was a descendant of the Kozhnitz dynasty through his paternal line and the Ruzhin dynasty through his maternal line.

In 5738 (1978), he was appointed Mashgiach of Yeshivas Kol Torah L’Tzeirim. For decades, he served as the spiritual pillar of the Bayit Vegan Yeshivah, renowned as one of the premier Yeshivos Ketanos in Yerushalayim. He guided thousands of bachurim over the years.Harav Aviezer was the living spirit of the Yeshivah, both in welcoming new talmidim and in setting the spiritual tone of the bais medrash. The talmidim felt a deep bond with him, and he reciprocated their love with a glowing countenance.

Known for his fervent avodas Hashem, he would visit the Kosel every night. He was one of the founders of the custom to recite Nishmas Kol Chai at the Kosel at chatzos (midnight), a practice that has since been adopted as a segulah throughout the Jewish world.

Harav Shapira also served as head of the Chevra Kadisha Chassidim in Yerushalayim and was a member of the administration of Kollel Chibas Yerushalayim and Kupas Hadar Esther.

He leaves behind sons, daughters, and descendants following in his path. Among his sons is Harav Menachem Shapira, a prominent askan and Deputy Mayor of Bnei Brak, who was exceptionally devoted to his father.

The levayah will take place today in Yerushalayim.

Yehi zichro baruch.