Senior religious Zionist Rabbi Chaim Druckman dies at age 90

Leading religious Zionist Rabbi Chaim Druckman dies following a weeks-long battle with the coronavirus at the age of 90, according to the Or Etzion Yeshiva, which Druckman presided over for 50 years.

A winner of the Israel Prize, Druckman was a major power broker in Israeli politics for decades, as a Knesset member, a deputy minister, and more recently as the spiritual leader of religious Zionist parties. He also held influential religious posts, serving as dean of the Or Etzion Yeshiva, head of the network of all seminaries affiliated with the religious Zionist Bnei Akiva movement, and president of the union of Hesder yeshivas, seminaries for men who combine military service with religious study.

Druckman contracted COVID-19 earlier this month, for the second time. He initially received treatment from a team of doctors at his home in the community of Mercaz Shapira in central Israel, but was moved to Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem after his condition deteriorated.

Druckman leaves behind a wife of 65 years, nine children, and hundreds of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.