Rabbi Yair Levy z”l, a former Knesset member and a central figure in the development of the Shas movement, passed away at the age of 73 at Maayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak after a prolonged illness. He was widely known for his leadership of the Ohr Hachaim institutions and his role in building Torah education across the country.

Rabbi Levy was born in Tiveriah on October 22, 1952, to his father, Reb Ephraim Levy, and his mother, Mrs. Latifa Levy. In his youth, he studied in high school and later in a rabbinical seminary, receiving rabbinic ordination. During his military service, he served in the Armored Corps as a base commander in the 9th Brigade and was wounded in the Yom Kippur War.

He emerged as one of the most influential figures within the Shas movement, where he played a key role in establishing and expanding the El Hamaayan educational network. He opened dozens of branches and helped lay the groundwork for the movement’s strong presence in development towns and underserved neighborhoods.

Within just a few years of its founding, Shas had established itself across three major arenas: municipal leadership, parliamentary representation, and a nationwide education system. Rabbi Levy was the driving force behind the education network, earning the nickname “the bulldozer” for his relentless efforts. In less than a year, he established hundreds of El Hamaayan branches, stretching from Metula in the north to Eilat in the south.

His success propelled him into national politics, and in 1989 he was placed on the Shas list for the Knesset. Serving as a close confidant of party chairman Aryeh Deri, he carried out his responsibilities with distinction. Ranked sixth on the list, he was elected to the 12th Knesset, where he served for more than three years.

In 1996, he turned to his mentor, Rav Chaim Greineman, with whom he maintained a close and regular relationship. There, he was entrusted with a new mission: overseeing the Ohr Hachaim seminary founded by Rabbi Moshe Pardo. Rav Greineman had a clear vision regarding educational institutions for Sephardic girls, and Rabbi Levy became the one to implement it on the ground.

Over the following years, Rabbi Levy established hundreds of institutions for Sephardic students under the Ohr Hachaim framework. He developed a unique method that enabled rapid expansion: securing property—often owned by Ohr Hachaim—appointing leadership, and allowing each institution to develop independently. Among the well-known yeshivos he helped found were Beis Shmaya, Tiferes Moshe, and many others.

Rabbi Levy maintained a close relationship with Rav Ovadia Yosef until his final days. Rav Yosef, who remembered his significant contributions to the founding and growth of Shas, spoke highly of him. In Bnei Brak, he lived near Rabbi Moshe Levy, one of the senior figures at Yeshivas Kisei Rachamim.

He is survived by a distinguished family. His son is Reb Itzik Levy, and one of his sons-in-law is Shlomi Elcharar, chairman of the Shas faction in Bnei Brak.

The levayah was held Friday afternoon at the Ponovezh Cemetery in Bnei Brak, where he was laid to rest.

The family will be sitting shiva at his home on 10 Rechov Kotzk in Bnei Brak.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}