It is with shock and sadness that Matzav.com reports the petirah of Hagaon Rav Shlomo Chai Dovid Yitzchak Halioua zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin in Brooklyn, New York. He was 66 years old.

On Chol Hamoed, he delivered the traditional ma’amar in the yeshiva at the Simchas Beis Hashoeiva. Rav Halioua was hospitalized shortly before the second days of Yom Tov due to an infection. Tragically, his condition worsened during the Yom Tov, necessitating a transfer to the Intensive Care Unit, where he ultimately passed away today.

Rav Halioua was a towering figure in the Olam HaTorah and a beloved rebbi to talmidim. His dedication to avodas Hashem and his profound commitment to all were hallmarks of his Torah leadership.

The rosh yeshiva was appointed just a couple of years ago to fill the position of his father-in-law, Hagaon Rav Aharon Moshe Schechter zt”l, who was niftar in August of 2023. Even during the lifetime of his father-in-law, he was earmarked to take on the leadership of the yeshiva and Rav Aharon indeed appointed him to serve in his place.

Under his guidance, Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin flourished after the petirah of his father-in-law, nurturing bnei Torah of repute. He instilled in the talmidim not only the depth of Torah knowledge, but also the development and avodah of an adam hashaleim. His warm personality and chochmah inspired many to pursue a life devoted to Torah.

Rav Halioua was a son of Rav Avraham Halioua, who immigrated from Morocco to the U.S. and served as a rov in Flatbush, and Mrs. Masuda Halioua. Upon reaching the age of marriage, he married his wife, a daughter of the rosh yeshiva Rav Aharon Schechter.

Rav Halioua was known as a tremendous talmid chochom. He had a strong grasp of machshavah, following the path of the yeshiva‘s founder, Hagaon Rav Yitzchok Hutner zt”l, author of Pachad Yitzchak. In the yeshiva, it was said that although the main teachings of Pachad Yitzchak are based on the philosophy of the Maharal, Rav Halioua expanded upon this with the teachings of the Ramchal, Ramad Vali, and others, adding a new dimension to his shmuessen.

Rav Halioua also considered himself a talmid of the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Pachad Yitzchok, Hagaon Rav Yonasan David, son-in-law of Rav Hutner.

Rav Halioua maintained a close kesher with the mashgiach of Chevron, Rav Chaim Yitzchok Kaplan, as well as with other gedolei Torah.

Rav Halioua continued the legacy of his illustrious father-in-law, building upon the foundation of hasmadah, yegiah, and derhoibenkeit that defined Rav Aharon. Rav Halioua was a beacon of light, a picture of the dignity and aristocracy of his shver, and his shver‘s rebbi, Rav Hutner, dedicating himself tirelessly to the growth of the yeshiva and all who sought his guidance.

During Yom Tov, the yeshiva came together in fervent tefillah, reciting Tehillim and special tefillos for his recovery. His petirah is a shocking blow to the Chaim Berlin family and the greater Olam HaTorah.

Rav Halioua is survived by his devoted rebbetzin, his children and grandchildren, and thousands of talmidim and yedidim who are devastated by this shocking petirah.

May the rosh yeshiva zt”l be a meilitz yosher for his talmidim and all of Klal Yisroel.

The levayah will take place Monday morning at Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, located at 1605 Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. Kevurah will follow at Beth David Cemetery, located at 300 Elmont Road in Elmont, NY.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}