Rabbi Shimon Natan Neta Biderman, the Rebbe of Lelov, passed away on the night of Yom Kippur following the Kol Nidre prayers. He was 78.
The rebbe lived in the city of Bnei Brak in central Israel. On Sunday evening, he began the Yom Kippur prayers in a local synagogue as usual, but surprised his fellow worshippers by leaving early.
Followers of the rebbe reported that he then retired to his room, saying he did not feel well. For the first time, the rabbi did not prepare a cup and basin for the ritual morning handwashing the next day. Instead, he recited the Shema prayer, lay down on his bed, and fell unconscious.
Paramedics who were called to the home found the rabbi not breathing and unresponsive. He was taken to Beilinson hospital in critical condition, and passed away shortly afterward.
Over the course of Yom Kippur, many thousands of Bnei Brak residents visited the main Torah learning hall of the Lelov chassidic movement to pay their respects.
Rabbi Biderman's funeral began on Monday evening in Bnei Brak, attended by thousands. The funeral procession will proceed to Jerusalem, where the rabbi will be buried on the Mount of Olives (Har Hazeitim).