Rav Yaakov Bochbot-Lev zt”l

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Rav Yaakov Bochbot-Lev zt”l, a distinguished talmid chochom, longtime dayan and av beis din in Tel Aviv, and one of the earliest talmidim of Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l.

Rav Lev was born in Morocco in 1943 and displayed a remarkable dedication to Torah from his youth. As a young man, he learned in Yeshivas Chevron, where he developed the foundations of his Torah scholarship under the guidance of the roshei yeshiva.

Among his foremost rabbeim was Rav Yechezkel Sarna zt”l, the legendary rosh yeshiva of Chevron, whose influence remained with him throughout his life.

Rav Lev subsequently became one of the earliest talmidim of Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l, learning in the kollel headed by the future Sephardic posek hador. He developed a close relationship with Rav Ovadia and maintained his connection to his rabbeim over the years.

A particularly memorable moment in his life occurred at his wedding, which was attended by both Rav Yechezkel Sarna and Rav Ovadia Yosef. A photograph from the simcha, showing the two gedolei Torah together, remains a treasured record of the occasion.

Rav Lev went on to serve for many years as a dayan on the Tel Aviv–Yafo Rabbinical Court, eventually holding the position of av beis din. In that capacity, he was entrusted with adjudicating complex halachic matters and applying his extensive Torah knowledge to the responsibilities of the rabbinical judiciary.

His years on the beis din were characterized by dedication to the careful examination of halachic questions and the responsibility of rendering judgments in accordance with Torah law.

Alongside his demanding judicial responsibilities, Rav Lev remained deeply committed to harbotzas haTorah. He devoted considerable time to teaching and guiding younger talmidei chachomim, sharing his knowledge and encouraging others in their Torah growth.

Following his retirement from the rabbinical court, Rav Lev continued his lifelong avodas hakodesh as rosh kollel of Kollel Ohel Tamar in Bnei Brak, where he remained immersed in Torah learning and the development of the next generation of Torah scholars.

Those who knew him described an extraordinary masmid whose commitment to learning began in his earliest years and never diminished. His broad bekius was accompanied by a genuine simchas haTorah, and he approached his learning with enthusiasm and dedication.

Despite his stature in Torah and his distinguished position in the world of dayanus, Rav Lev was known for his humility and unassuming manner. He greeted others with warmth and a pleasant countenance, and his deliberate, heartfelt tefillos reflected the seriousness with which he approached his avodas Hashem.

Rav Lev merited to establish a distinguished family of talmidei chachomim and marbitzei Torah who continue his legacy.

Among his sons are Rav Boruch Tzvi Lev, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Yesodos HaTorah; Rav Yehuda Lev, a prominent avreich at Kollel Beis Hillel; and Rav Moshe Lev.

Rav Lev also endured profound personal sorrow with the petirah of his son, Rav Chaim Lev zt”l, a son-in-law of Rav Meir Amsalem, who passed away approximately fifteen years ago following a serious illness.

The levayah took place Monday evening at the Nachalas Moshe shul at 36 Harav Meltzer Street in Bnei Brak. The procession continued to the Ponevezh Cemetery, where Rav Lev was laid to rest.