Deep mourning for Channel 12 commentator and panelist: 'The heart refuses to believe. It is incomprehensible'
Senior commentator Yishai Cohen eulogized his relative, a beloved singer and paytan who died tragically just before the start of the Sabbath, and harshly attacked those spreading rumors on social media.
Journalist and Haredi commentator Yishai Cohen, a senior figure at the 'Kikar HaShabbat' website and a frequent panelist in the 'Channel 12 News' studios, shared the great pain that has befallen his wife's family following the tragic death of singer and paytan Avishai Levi (of blessed memory), who was killed on Friday in a severe accident in Jerusalem at the age of 46.
Cohen recounted that Levi was his wife's cousin, and described the difficulty of processing the fact that from now on, one must speak of him in the past tense.
'The heart refuses to believe. To speak of the sweet singer of Israel, Avishai Levi (of blessed memory), in the past tense — it is simply incomprehensible,' Cohen wrote.
Further on, the well-known commentator shared his personal memories of Levi and the close bond that formed between them over the years: 'Avishai was my wife's cousin. Beyond the piyyutim that touch the soul, we were privileged to know him closely. To meet very often at family events, to see his warm smile, his humility, and his big heart up close.'
The disaster occurred on Friday in Jerusalem. According to reports, Levi exited his vehicle, and at some point, the vehicle began to roll. Levi sustained very severe injuries. Rescue forces summoned to the scene provided medical treatment and he was evacuated to the hospital, but his death was later pronounced.
Cohen also addressed the difficult timing when the news reached the family, shortly before the start of the Sabbath:
'A short time before the start of the Sabbath, the difficult news arrived about his passing in a tragic accident. A great darkness descended upon the family. We do not understand the calculations of Heaven.'
The commentator added and described the difficult struggle with the loss during the Sabbath, when family members were forced to bear the pain without being able to vent it in the usual ways: 'There are no words for those rumor-mongers on WhatsApp. To receive such a difficult and heartbreaking message through messages running in groups — this is cruelty and a lack of sensitivity that have no atonement.'
Avishai Levi was a well-known figure in the world of Jewish music and piyyut. He began his musical path in his childhood, and later was one of the members of the 'Pirchei Yerushalayim' band. Over the years, he performed at events and in communities in Israel and around the world.
