With deep sorrow, I heard of the passing of Rabbi Ezra Barnea zt”l, one of the last remaining students of the great Chief Rabbi Benzion Meir Hai Uziel zt”l.
I first met him in 2016 when – after what seemed like an eternity of email correspondences – I came to the unusual “Binyan Klal” building in Jerusalem to acquire the writings of HaRav Uziel.
What began as a simple book purchase became an unforgettable encounter. Rabbi Barnea welcomed me like an old friend, sitting with me in his office, sharing stories, photographs, and the warmth of a world that is slipping away from us. His concern that the writings of his great teacher would not see the next generation – and therefore his dedication to publish over 30 of his volumes – still resonate so deeply within me.
Before I left, he gifted me recordings of his Hazzanut, a reflection of his life’s devotion to preserving the diverse melodies of Sepharadi prayer.
Over the years, I turned to him for guidance on the teachings of his great rabbi, and I checked in on him when I heard his health was declining. With his passing, we have lost more than a scholar or a cantor—we have lost a living bridge to a generation of giants.
The echoes of his voice, his wisdom, and his passion for tradition will remain, but the world is dimmer today without him.
May his memory be a blessing. יהי זכרו ברוך.
(Alas, I could not find our photo together from 2016. I instead post a picture from his personal Facebook page which I believe captures his warm smile and personality.)