Rav Shlomo Alfa zt”l, a longtime Bnei Brak resident who was a grandson of Rav Meir Karelitz zt”l, a close confidant of the Chazon Ish zt”l, and an accountant who devoted decades to serving Torah institutions, was niftar Thursday evening at the age of 95.

Rav Alfa passed away at Mayanei HaYeshua Medical Center in Bnei Brak following resuscitation efforts. His petirah brings to a close the life of a man who maintained close connections with some of the greatest Torah figures of the previous generation while quietly dedicating himself to the needs of mosdos haTorah.

The levayah was scheduled for Thursday evening at 10 p.m., departing from his home at 64 Rav Kahaneman Street in Bnei Brak. The procession was to pass the Nachlas Moshe shul at 36 Rav Meltzer Street before proceeding to the Shomrei Shabbos–Zichron Meir Cemetery, where he was to be laid to rest.

Rav Alfa was born on 13 Av 5691 (1931) to Rav Eliezer Alfa zt”l, who served as the rav of the Karmia neighborhood in Haifa, and his wife, Mrs. Shulamis Alfa a”h.

His father was a distinguished talmid chacham who, during his younger years in the Novardok yeshivah, had learned b’chavrusa with the Steipler Gaon, Rav Yaakov Yisroel Kanievsky zt”l, author of the Kehillos Yaakov.

His mother was a daughter of Rav Meir Karelitz zt”l, the rav of Lachovitch and an influential figure in the Torah world of Poland and Eretz Yisroel. Rav Meir was among the leaders of the Vaad HaYeshivos in both countries, helped establish the Chinuch Atzmai educational network, and served as a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

Rav Meir Karelitz was also the older brother of the Chazon Ish, making Rav Shlomo Alfa a great-nephew of the Chazon Ish and part of a family deeply connected to the development of Torah life in Eretz Yisroel.

The Alfa home in Haifa was known as a gathering place for prominent talmidei chachamim and gedolei Yisroel who visited the city. Among the distinguished visitors was the Brisker Rav, Rav Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik zt”l.

As a young bochur, Rav Shlomo studied at Yeshivas Tiferes Tzion in Bnei Brak. During that period, he developed a close relationship with the Chazon Ish and eventually lived in his home, an experience that gave him extraordinary personal exposure to one of the leading Torah authorities of the generation.

When he reached marriageable age, Rav Shlomo married Mrs. Sarah Alfa. Their wedding took place in Haifa and was attended by the Chazon Ish himself.

In later years, Rav Alfa and his family settled in Bnei Brak, where he established himself as an accountant whose services were sought by numerous Torah institutions. His professional work became an important part of his contribution to the continued operation of yeshivos, kollelim, and other communal organizations.

Alongside his demanding professional responsibilities, he was deeply devoted to his own Torah learning, maintaining regular sedorim with exceptional dedication.

Among the institutions that benefited from his generosity was the Nachlas Moshe network of kollelim, headed by his son-in-law, Rav Avrohom Rubinstein. Rav Alfa handled the network’s accounting needs entirely on a volunteer basis, providing his professional expertise without compensation.

Additional accounts of his life describe him as a respected moreh horaah who spent many years in Yerushalayim and became known for his extensive firsthand knowledge of the Chazon Ish. He was frequently invited to speak at Torah gatherings, where he shared personal recollections of the Chazon Ish’s conduct, teachings, and daily life.

Those who knew him recalled his humility, warmth, and willingness to share the memories he had accumulated during his years in the Chazon Ish’s presence. His recollections provided later generations with a personal perspective on the life of the Chazon Ish.

In his later years, as his strength declined, Rav Alfa resided with his daughter in Bnei Brak, where family members cared for him devotedly.

On Thursday afternoon, emergency responders were summoned to a residence on Rav Kahaneman Street after Rav Alfa suddenly collapsed. Medical personnel performed advanced resuscitation procedures and transported him to Mayanei HaYeshua Medical Center in critical condition, continuing their efforts to save his life. Despite those efforts, he was niftar at the hospital.

Rav Alfa leaves behind a distinguished family of children, grandchildren, and further descendants who continue in his path.

Among his sons-in-law is Rav Avrohom Rubinstein, the former mayor of Bnei Brak, who currently serves as secretary of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}