Hundreds Mourn Rabbanit Shoshana Cohen, Mother of Rabbi Zamir Cohen

Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to Rabbanit Shoshana Cohen, of blessed memory, the mother of renowned Torah scholar Rabbi Zamir Cohen, Rosh Yeshiva and president of the Hidabroot organization.

The funeral, held at Har HaMenuchot Cemetery in Jerusalem, was attended by prominent rabbinical figures, including Israel's Chief Rabbis, Rabbi David Yosef and Rabbi Kalman Ber, as well as former Sephardic Chief Rabbi and Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar. Hundreds of community members and public figures also came to honor the memory of a righteous woman whose life was devoted to mitzvot, acts of kindness, and raising a family deeply committed to Torah. She leaves behind children and grandchildren who have dedicated themselves to spreading Torah and inspiring tens of thousands of Jews around the world to strengthen their connection with Hashem.

Rabbi Zamir Cohen: A Mother Who Led by Example

In his emotional eulogy, Rabbi Zamir Cohen reflected on his mother's exceptional character and the powerful example she set for everyone who knew her. He placed particular emphasis on her extraordinary patience, a quality that defined her approach to life and played a central role in raising her children.

Rabbi Cohen spoke about the challenges of raising four sons close in age, acknowledging the considerable patience, dedication, and emotional strength required to care for several young children at once. Despite the inevitable difficulties, his mother approached her responsibilities with remarkable gentleness, understanding, and unwavering love. Through patience and kindness, she created a nurturing environment in which her children developed a deep commitment to Torah and Jewish values.

Above all, Rabbi Cohen explained, his mother's greatest aspiration was to see her children and descendants grow into righteous individuals devoted to serving Hashem. Her hopes and ambitions were centered on raising generations who would continue along the path of Torah and mitzvot.

Rabbi Zavadia Cohen: "For Her, Heaven Always Came Before Earth"

Her son, Rabbi Zavadia Cohen, Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Jaffa and head of the rabbinical courts in Tel Aviv, also delivered a moving eulogy, highlighting his mother's unwavering faith and the profound influence she had on her children's spiritual upbringing.

He recalled how she instilled in them a deep respect for Torah scholars and a strong belief in the power of their blessings. As an example, he shared a childhood memory that illustrated the central place of emunat chachamim, faith in Torah sages, in their family home.

"When we were children and didn't feel well, we didn't immediately go to the doctor," he recounted. "First, we would visit the renowned Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzchak Kaduri, of blessed memory. Only after he blessed us with a complete recovery would we go to the doctor."

Through this practice, Rabbi Zavadia explained, his mother instilled in her children a lasting sense of reverence for Torah scholars and trust in their spiritual guidance.

He concluded his eulogy with a poignant reflection on the opening verse of Parshat Bereishit: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." 

“For our mother, of blessed memory, heaven always came before earth," he declared. "Spiritual matters came first, before material concerns. First heaven, and only afterward earth."

Turning to his mother's memory, he added a final, heartfelt tribute: "Now Heaven receives you with open arms, together with everything you instilled in us throughout all these years."