The Rav of Be’er Sheva, HaGaon HaRav Yehudah Deri, z’tl, was niftar at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 66. HaRav Deri, z’tl, began feeling unwell about two weeks ago due to an infection in his leg that developed complications. He was hospitalized in the ICU in very serious condition and attached to an ECMO machine. Earlier this week, the doctors disconnected him from the machine and sadly, his condition rapidly deteriorated. HaRav Deri, z’tl, the oldest brother of Shas leader Aryeh Deri, served as the Rav of Be’er Sheva for 30 years, the Raavad of the Beis Din in the city, and was a member of the Rabbanut for decades. Before becoming the Rav of Be’er Sheva, he served as the Rav of the Ramot neighborhood of Jerusalem. The Rav authored many sefarim, with the main ones being Imrei Yehudah and Avnei Ezer. He was very close to HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef, z’tl, and his daughter later married HaRav Ovadia’s granddaughter, the daughter of HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef. Yehi Zichro Baruch. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)