It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of Rav Ben Zion Bobchik zt”l, longtime rov of the Gerer kehillah in Kiryat Gat and rov of the Beis HaChassidim Baal Shem Tov in Bnei Brak. Rav Bobchik, author of the sefer Batzar BaMidbar, passed away over Shabbos at the age of 72.

Rav Bobchik had been battling a serious disease over the past year.

The levayah was held tonight at his home at 14 Ben Yaakov Street in Bnei Brak, proceeding to the Vizhnitzer bais hachaim.

Born on the fourth of Adar 5714 (1954) to Rav Yosef Bobchik and Mrs. Sheindel Bobchik, he was raised in the institutions of the Gur chassidus and developed close ties with its rebbes from a young age.

Upon reaching marriageable age, he wed the daughter of Rav Nosson Zilberberg. Over the years, he was appointed rav of the Gur Beis HaChassidim on Baal Shem Tov Street in Bnei Brak, and in recent years served as the rov of the Gur community in Kiryat Gat.

Rav Bobchik was regarded as one of the prominent and respected figures in the Bnei Brak chassidic community. He was among the founders of the Baal Shem Tov shtiebel, which later relocated to Yonah HaNavi Street. Throughout his life, he served as a rav and halachic authority, with difficult and complex halachic questions brought before him regularly.

In the past decade, after assuming the rabbinic leadership of Gur chassidim in Kiryat Gat, he frequently traveled to the city to respond to halachic inquiries and guide community members in matters of halacha.

He enjoyed a close relationship with the Gerrer Rebbe, who is said to have consulted with him often on halachic matters. At family simchos of his son, Reb Motty Bobchik, the two would engage in extended discussions in Torah and halachah.

Rav Bobchik was widely known as an outstanding talmid chacham who immersed himself in Torah learning constantly.

He davened daily at the Belz chassidic shtiebel on Ben Yaakov Street in Bnei Brak, near his home.

Even during his illness, he continued to devote himself to Torah learning.

He is survived by a distinguished family. Among his sons are Rav Yisrael Bobchik, a rav and posek in Petach Tikva; Rabbi Mordechai Shimon (“Motty”) Bobchik, chief of staff to MK Yitzchak Goldknopf and a leading figure in the Gur chassidus; and his son-in-law Rabbi Moshe Reuven Goldknopf, son of MK Yitzchak Goldknopf.

Yehi zichro boruch.