Avitzedek (Rakovsky), Meir
Son of Eliyahu and Tzila. He was born in Jerusalem in 1947. He studied at the Ohel Ya’akov elementary school and at the Tel Aviv Yeshiva, where he completed his high school studies at the “Amiel Yeshiva” in Tel Aviv and then moved to the “Greater Yeshiva – Hebron”. He was one of the founders of the Bnei Torah movement, led by one of the leaders of the Hebron Yeshiva, whose goal was to instill religious awareness and “yeshivot” among the youth, including lectures, rallies, conferences and symposia, as well as lecturers To circles in the IDF and in prisons throughout the country. He devoted most of his time to Torah study, but every spare moment was used to read books of Israeli thought and thought, general philosophy, poetry, history and more. He had complete and perfect hearing in classical music. He was involved in writing lectures and loved to lecture in various circles, to explain and to argue, especially in matters of faith and religion. He would meet with non-religious youth and would love to hear their words. Along with being a man of letters, he was a very social man. His kindness, honesty, and loyalty made him the confidant of many of his peers and classmates. He always aspired to create a social framework based on a broad intellectual basis. During the days of his Talmudic studies in “The Great Yeshiva” (“Hebron”), he immersed his head in the study of Torah and halakha, and then through his star, Orian was educated. He was then engaged in self-education, establishing faith and developing opinions and views. He was the loyal friend, dedicated to improving his surroundings and his company. His excellent ability to express himself urged him to write articles and conduct many debates in the Bnei Torah movement, to which he contributed a great deal. In July 1968 he joined the IDF and went to the Nahal Brigade. Meir knew that at the same time as he was doing his duty, he would face a difficult struggle, in which his religious and ideological achievements would be examined. “I do not think that the army has had a slight impact on my opinions and views, I do not think that I have been adversely affected by a practical religious aspect, even though it is difficult for a person to judge himself objectively.” His commanders also appreciated him for his sharpness and intellectual abilities, which were rigorously integrated into his principles and faith. He was about to be released from the army and planned to marry his fiancee and continue his studies, both in the Torah and in the field of philosophy at the university. But he did not. On the 30th of Tevet 5731 (30.12.1970) he fell while performing his duties in Neot Hakikar in the Arava and was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.