Going back in history, the town of Beer Sheva has always had a measure of prominence. The holy Torah accords it importance, since it was in this town that our holy Forefathers came to their recognition of the Creator.

Today, after two thousand years of exile, a measure of the kedushah that once existed in Beer Sheva has returned to this town. Once just a desert settlement, barren and empty – today it is blossoming and bursting with life, life filled with Torah and kedushah. The voices of both young and old, women and children can be heard, upholding the three pillars upon which the world stands; Torah, Tefillah and Gemillus Chassadim. The number of those thirsting to hear the word of the L-rd increases from day to day – they grown in kedushah and yiras Shamayim in the Torah centre of Beer Sheva – Beit Yosef.

The Torah centre of Beit Yosef was established in response to the waves of the teshuvah movement which are still flooding the south of the country. Men of far-reaching vision drew up their plans and set about implementing them, and their dream then took on physical proportions and became a reality. The city of our Forefathers which was founded in the modern era as a tiny settlement numbering just a few buildings, has expanded its boundaries and become a large and respected centre of residence.

The city has benefited from the changes that have occurred, and the Torah centre ‘Beit Yosef’ has also benefited. At the helm of this institution stands the great gaon and educator, Rav Binyamin Batzri shlita. Under his leadership and guidance, the Torah centre has flourished and developed and the barren lands of the south have bloomed.

Moreinu Harav Binyamin Batzri shlita is a scion of a glorious Torah dynasty. He is the grandson of the Rabban shel kol bnei haGolah, the greatest Torah leader of his generation in the diaspora – the great prince of Torah Rabbeinu Yosef Chaim ztz”l, the Ben Ish Chai. Another of his ancestors is the gaon hamekubal Rav Yehudah Petiya ztz”l – their merit should protect us and all Jews.

Rav Binyamin Batzri learned Torah in the holy yeshivah of ‘Kol Torah’ under gedolei hador, and also in the yeshivah ‘Zohar haTorah’. Great Torah scholars gave semichah to Rav Batzri, crowning him with the crown of Torah, attesting to his ability to serve as a Torah leader, to teach and advise, to guide in wisdom and understanding".