Rav Mordechai Sharabi Rosh Yeshiva Nahar Shalom (Cheshvan 20, 5744 / 1983 - 41st Yahrzeit)
Rav Mordechai Sharabi was born in Sharab, Yemen, to Rav Yehuda and Miriam Taizi. His father was niftar before he was born, and his mother passed away just two years later. He was raised by his grandfather, Rav Yefes Avrohom, Rav in Sharab. Rav Mordechai’s other grandfather was Rav Sholom Sharabi, the Rashash. In 1931, shortly after he married, Rav Mordechai moved to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Yerushalayim. He later founded Yeshivas Nahar Sholom in the Machane Yehuda section of the city. Although they never had children, tens of boys of the neighborhood had their meals with them and grew to become Roshei Yeshiva and Roshei Kollel. It is related that in the week of Rav Mordechai’s petira, the Baba Sali experienced a frightening premonition that much Jewish blood would be spilled, including children. He davened the entire day and fasted, despite being over ninety years of age. The next morning, he announced that the gezeira had been lifted, and that one of the Tzaddikim had given his life away for the generation. At the time, the Baba Sali was not aware that Rav Mordechai was ill. Indeed, the Tzaddik was niftar that week.
