The city of Rosh HaAyin has chosen a new rav — and in a beautiful continuation of legacy, it is the son of the city’s previous rav.
Rav Yechiel Bassis was officially elected today as Chief Rabbi of Rosh HaAyin, winning a decisive majority of 29 votes in the official selection process conducted by the Ministry of Religious Services in cooperation with the municipality and the local religious council.
The announcement marks a moment of nachas for the family and for many in the olam haTorah, as Rav Yechiel follows directly in the footsteps of his illustrious father, the late Rav Azarya Bassis zt”l, who served as the city’s rav for decades and authored the renowned Beis HaEzri series of seforim.
Present at the announcement were outgoing Minister of Religious Services Michael Malchieli, ministry director-general Yehuda Avidan, and several senior Shas officials who played a key role in advancing Rav Bassis’s appointment to the same post once held by his father zt”l.
The vote tally was as follows: Rav Yechiel Bassis — 29 votes; Rav Dovid Uzani — 5 votes; Rav Zohar Okashi — 4 votes.
Rav Bassis currently serves as rosh kollel of Ohel Moed in Bnei Brak and is one of the rabbanim of the Meoros organization, where he also serves as a rav umoreh tzedek in its beis horaah. In addition, he edited and published the collected writings of his father zt”l, ensuring his Torah legacy continues to enlighten lomdei Torah.
The Rosh HaAyin municipality issued a statement congratulating the newly elected rav, expressing hope that “he will succeed in strengthening the city’s spiritual life, deepening its Jewish identity, and leading the community forward in unity, mutual respect, and ruchniyus growth.”
{Matzav.com}
