The spiritual leader of the Shas party, Rabbi Shimon Baadani, passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 94. Hospitalized since last November, Rabbi Baadani’s condition deteriorated rapidly overnight. Born in Hadera in pre-state Israel in 1928 to Yemenite immigrants, Rabbi Baadani studied at the Novardok yeshiva in Jerusalem, and later at Porat Yosef in the Old City. Rabbi Baadani founded the Torah V’Haim yeshiva in Bnei Brak with Rabbi Moshe Pardo, serving as dean until his death. His public work included aiding in the founding of the Shas party in 1984, and outreach efforts to Jewish communities in Latin America. Since the party’s establishment, Rabbi Baadani served on its rabbinic council, which was led for decades by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Following the death of Rabbi Shalom Cohen last August, Rabbi Baadani headed the council, becoming Shas’ spiritual leader. Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion eulogized Rabbi Baadani, lauding his “noble character.” "Together with the rest of the people of Israel, I am hurting over the passing of the elder of the Council of Torah Sages Rabbi Shimon Baadani." "I had the privilege of his blessings and counsel over the last years, and his noble character was an important link in the chain of the defense of the Jewish people." Rabbi Baadani’s funeral procession is slated to begin at the Torah V’Haim yeshiva on Rebbe Akiva Street in Bnei Brak at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, and will proceed via Chazon Ish Street to the Bnei Brak cemetery.