Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira, known as Baba Elazar, was murdered last night in his yeshiva in Beersheva, Israel. In reaction, Israel's chief rabbis says Baba Elazar died to atone for our sins.
Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira, the grandson of the Sefardic kabbalist the Baba Sali.
“Who knows what kind of decree G-d's people was under? And [Rabbi Abuhatzeira] was strong for us, and he bore the atonement for our generation.” Rabbi Shlomo Amar, Sefardic Chief of Israel, as quoted in Arutz Sheva (Israel National News), 7-29-2011.
[Hat Tip: Minnesota Twin.]