Rav Yaakov Kochav zt”l, Son Born Hours After His Petirah

Tragedy struck the community of Modi’in Illit last night with the petirah of Rabbi Yaakov Kochav at the age of 32.

Reb Yaakov’s wife, who was with him at the time of the petirah, was taken to the hospital several hours later and gave birth to a son this morning.

Rabbi Kochav suffered from a malignant disease for months and his condition deteriorated.

He is survived by his wife and seven children, including the new orphaned baby.

Reb Yaakov passed away at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, and his wife was taken from there to Mayanei Hayeshuah Medical Center for the birth.

At the age of 25, Reb Yaakov, an outstanding avreich and talmid chochom, was appointed to serve as the rosh kollel of Kollel Maale Adumim in Modiin Illit.

This past Elul, two months before being informed of his illness, Reb Yaakov decided to leave his position at Kollel Ma’ale Adumim, because he wanted to learn continuously and undisturbed. A young gaon, Reb Yaakov would learn his morning and afternoon sedorim without a break, immersing himself in limud haTorah in a unique and devoted fashion.

“We lost a young gadol baTorah,” one neighbor remarked.

His wife is expected to attend her husband’s levayah today. Throughout the period of his illness, she was deeply devoted to him in remarkable fashion, say those close to the family.

The levayah will be held this afternoon from the home of his father-in-law, Rabbi Shmuel Heber, menahel of Yeshiva Darkei Moshe, located at 11 Rechov Kehillos Yaakov in Bnei Brak.

May Reb Yaakov be a meilitz yosher for his rebbetzin and his entire family, including his youngest son, born just hours after his petirah.

Yehi zichro boruch.

David Steger – Matzav.com Israel