Rav Chaim Fried zt”l, one of the oldest and most recognizable figures in Yerushalayim’s Meah Shearim neighborhood, passed away Sunday on the day he turned 101.
Rav Fried was among the longtime regular mispallelim at the famed Meah Shearim shtieblach and was known for decades as one of the neighborhood’s veteran and respected personalities.
He was born exactly 101 years ago, on 24 Iyar 5685, to his father, Reb Shlomo Fried z”l of Meah Shearim and his mother, Mrs. Miriam a”h.
As a young man, he learned in Yeshivas Lomza and later in Yeshivas Novardok. Over the years he became closely connected to many of the gedolei Yisroel of the previous generation, particularly the Chazon Ish zt”l, to whom he was especially close.
Rav Fried was counted among the longtime learners in the Chevras Tiferes Bachurim and was known as one of the devoted guardians of the neighborhood’s traditional standards and practices.
Residents of Meah Shearim viewed him as one of the area’s enduring symbols and among the veteran kana’im of Yerushalayim. Those who davened late in the shtieblach after zeman tefillah were familiar with Rav Chaim’s sharp sense of responsibility for proper conduct. He would jokingly tell latecomers that they owed a “fine” for missing the proper time for davening.
He was also deeply involved in efforts connected to kedushas Shabbos. Every seudah shlishis, he would reportedly travel to the Egged parking area on Rechov Yaffo to ensure that buses would not begin operating before the conclusion of Shabbos.
Since Rav Fried left behind no children, members of the public are asked to perform acts of merit and learning for the neshamah of Rav Chaim ben Reb Shlomo.
His brother was the well-known hidden gaon and tzaddik, Rav Nosson Fried zt”l of Bnei Brak, a talmid of the Chazon Ish who was responsible for supervising the city’s eiruvin on behalf of the Chazon Ish.
The levayah was held at the Perushim shul in Batei Ungarin, proceeding to Har Hamenuchos for kevurah.
Tehei nishmaso tzerurah bitzror hachaim.
{Matzav.com}
