Harav Chaim Tzvi Brilant, z”l

YERUSHALAYIM (Hamodia Staff) —

Large crowds in Bnei Brak and Yerushalayim participated in the levayah of Harav Chaim Tzvi Brilant, z”l, on Monday, who passed away at the age of 69 after a prolonged illness.

Harav Brilant was born in Yerushalayim, the son of Harav Avraham Menachem Brilant, zt”l, a descendant of Harav Shlomo Zalman Tzoruf (Salomon), Hy”d, a pillar of the old yishuv of Yerushalayim, who built  the famous Hurva synagogue with his own money, and who would later be killed al kiddush Hashem.

As a boy, Harav Brilant studied at the Talmud Torah Yavneh, and later devoted himself to Torah at Yeshivas Tiferes Tzvi and then Yeshivas Chevron.

He served as an aide to Harav Y. Pardes, zt”l, and then went on to become active in Tzeirei Agudas Yisrael for a number of years, where he organized summer camps and gave encouragement to thousands of young people to continue their Torah studies and strengthen their observance.

Harav Brilant subsequently served as a personal assistant to Harav Shlomo Lorincz, z”l, where, as chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee, he was able to provide much support for Torah institutions and the chareidi community in general.

Harav Brilant’s extraordinary memory enabled him to become a “walking encyclopedia” of legislative matters, and as such rendered great service to the chareidi MK’s.

An important phase of his career involved the battle to save young chareidi women from military recruitment, as well as the fight against state-ordered autopsies. In these efforts, he earned the appreciation of Gedolei Yisrael, including the Steipler Gaon, zt”l, and Harav Elazar Menachem Shach, zt”l.

Harav Brilant served as deputy mayor of Bnei Brak and a member of the city council.

Notwithstanding his heavy communal responsibilities, Harav Brilant continued his learning on a regular basis with Daf Yomi and, when he retired from public life, he gave shiurim at his home.

In the last years of his life, he suffered greatly.

On Sunday night, he returned his pure neshamah to his Creator at Tel Hashomer Hospital.

In accordance with the niftar’s wishes, no hespeidim were said, except for words of parting from his eldest son, Harav Akiva Brilant, ybl”c, who said that his father’s acts of chessed went on ceaselessly, day and night.

He would receive every person with a cheerful countenance at any hour, and do his best to help with their problems.

Harav Brilant leaves behind, ybl”c, his wife, his sons Akiva and Shlomo, and his brothers Harav Akiva Brilant, author of the Midrash Rabba HaMevuar, and Harav Shmuel Brilant, Rosh Mesivta Chassidei Satmar, Brooklyn, along with nephews, nieces and grandchildren.

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