Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, rabbi
Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron–an Israeli rabbi who served as Rishon LeZion (Chief Rabbi of Israel) from 1993 to 2003 – passed away on April 12, 2020 after contracting the COVID-19 virus.
He died in Shaare Zedek Medical Center after his condition was exacerbated by previous medical issues.
Bakshi-Doron had also served as Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Bat Yam and Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Haifa.
Bakshi-Doron was criticized by Haredi leaders for some of his halakhic (Jewish legal) decisions, and by the Reform movement for his position on assimilation. He was known for his promotion of interfaith dialogue and nonviolence.
Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron was born in Jerusalem to Ben-Zion Bakshi-Doron, a native of the city, and Tova, an immigrant from Aleppo, Syria. He had two brothers and a sister.
As a young man, E...