The Chernobyler chassidus was plunged into mourning on Wednesday with the tragic news of the sudden passing of R’ Akiva Rand z”l, a young avreich and devoted member of the community, who was killed in a traffic accident in Moldova. He was just 29 years old.
R’ Akiva had traveled to Moldova together with a group of Chernobyler chassidim to visit the kever of Rav Yechiel Heshel of Krilovitz, a grandson of the Apta Rov and son-in-law of Rav Yehoshua of Belz. The visit coincided with the yahrtzeit, observed on the 9th of Tammuz.
According to reports, R’ Akiva was driving when his vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a ditch. He was killed in the accident. Several companions traveling with him sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Members of ZAKA are working to expedite the transfer of his body to Eretz Yisroel for burial.
The pilgrimage had special significance for members of the Chernobyler chassidus. The gravesite had recently undergone restoration, and the Rebbe had originally planned to travel there two years ago. That trip was canceled because of the war. The Rebbe was also unable to attend this year’s visit due to ongoing health concerns and physical weakness.
R’ Akiva was born in London to his father, Rabbi Mordechai Dovid Rand, a respected member of the Chernobyl community in the city, and to his mother, Mrs. Rand.
As a bochur, he studied in the Chernobyler yeshivah, where he became especially close to the rosh yeshivah, Rav Binyamin Yonah Zev Rechnitzer, and was known for carefully recording and preserving his shiurim.
Following his marriage, he settled in Yerushalayim with his wife, the daughter of Rav Yosef Mordechai Weiss, the Rav of Machzikei Hadas in Zurich, Switzerland, and a grandson of Rav Yonasan Binyamin Weiss, the longtime Rav of Montreal.
In Yerushalayim, R’ Akiva devoted himself to Torah study in Kollel Nachalas Akiva. In the afternoons, he learned with bochurim at Yeshivas Kochav MiYaakov–Tchebin. He also served as one of the gabbaim of the Chernobyl beis medrash on Tuval Street.
Friends and acquaintances describe him as an exceptionally refined individual, a talmid chacham, and a sincere yerei Shamayim who was beloved by all who knew him.
His passing is especially heartbreaking in light of the personal challenges he had endured. For five years after his marriage, he and his wife waited to be blessed with children. In recent years, they merited to welcome two children into their family.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Chernobyl community. Just two weeks ago, R’ Akiva played a central role in organizing a special Shabbos at the Kosel in support of efforts to purchase a permanent home for the Chernobyl beis medrash in Yerushalayim. Participants recalled that much of the planning and logistics for the historic event were handled by him.
Friends also noted that only six weeks ago he celebrated the birth of his daughter and hosted a kiddush in honor of the joyous occasion.
R’ Akiva is survived by his parents, his wife, and two young children, who are now left without their devoted father.
His untimely passing has left family members, friends, and fellow chassidim struggling to come to terms with the loss of a young man whose life revolved around Torah, avodah, and service to others.
Tehei nishmaso tzerurah b’tzror hachaim.
{Matzav.com}