Paris’ Chief Rabbi Passes Away

By COLlive reporter

Rabbi David Meshash, Chief Rabbi of the French capital of Paris for the last 20 years, passed away Sunday, Cheshvan 23, 5772.

He was 70 years old and suffered from a lengthy illness.

Following a position as Chief Rabbi of Geneva, he moved to France to become the head of the Beis Din of Paris and was later elected to the mostly ceremonial position of chief rabbi.

Born in Morocco, his father was Rabbi Shalom Meshash OBM, Chief Rabbi of Casablanca and later Jerusalem who had a close connection with the Rebbe and admired the Shluchim that were sent to his native country.

In Paris, Rabbi David founded the Congregation Ahavat Shalom and spent much of his time delivering many Torah lectures, according to a family member.

He was also a regular attendee and speaker at Chabad events held in the French capital, including the public Chanukah Menorah lighting at the Eiffel Tower, Lag Baomer parade, Siyum Harambam celebration and the annual gala dinner of Beth Loubavitch.

Israel’s Chief Sephardic Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Chabad Shluchim in Paris were among the attendees at the funeral on Sunday. (Rabbi Amar was in town to pay a shiva visit to Head Chabad Shliach Rabbi Shmuel Azimov on the passing of his wife Rebbetzin Bassie last week.)

Rabbi Meshash will be buried in Jerusalem on Monday.

Baruch Dayan Haemes.