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Chief Justice’s eulogy for Judge Beni Sagie
Israeli Chief Justice eulogizes Judge Beni Sagie, a rising star in the judiciary and President of the District Court in Be'er Sheva, remembering his dedication.
My son,
I stand here and cannot believe it. I refuse to believe that the journey of your life was cut short so suddenly and painfully. The words I am reading now from this page were carved out of the sorrow, shock, and pain that befell us all. We stand here with your family, with your parents, with your beloved wife Yael and your children, with your many friends and admirers – multitudes – and still cannot believe, cannot comprehend that this has happened.
In legal circles, the name Benni Sagie is synonymous with professionalism, dedication, determination, and out-of-the-box thinking. Benni was a rising star in the judiciary: he was appointed to the bench at a young age, went from strength to strength until he became the President of the district court in Be’er Sheva.
Day after day, Benni would arrive early in the morning at the courthouse, first in Tel Aviv and then in Be’er Sheva, enter the courtroom, and sit down to do justice. No headlines, no fanfare – just to do justice.
The long focus days, which were Benni’s hallmark, were a fascinating lesson in both criminal law and human understanding. Benni knew how to truly listen to the parties who appeared before him. He brought with him a deep knowledge of the intricacies of criminal law; but no less knowledge – of the intricacies of human beings, their hopes, their motives, and their desires. Benni was an expert in the delicate seams between law and life.
Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Benni could not help but be impressed by his stature, both physical and metaphorical. Benni was a great man in every sense of the word, an exceptional legal talent, and a rare individual from whom charisma simply flowed. A man with a huge heart, a man whom everyone, but everyone, loved to love – judges, staff, lawyers, even defendants – everyone who met him was immediately captivated by his charm.
In his roles as Vice President and President of the courts in Tel Aviv and Be’er Sheva, Benni was a true force of nature. I will not exaggerate if I say that he worked wonders wherever he went, and so it was at the District Court in Be’er Sheva, which he unified and led in the last year and a half. Benni was a president who managed with a systemic vision and a sense of justice, and was meticulous in leading primarily through personal example. I have no doubt that were it not for this terrible tragedy, Benni would have achieved many more accomplishments in the court system and beyond.
Benni’s passing leaves a great void in the hearts of many, in the heart of the judiciary, and also in my heart. As someone who knew Benni since he was in the Magistrate’s Court, I was impressed by him anew at every conference and every meeting, and I greatly appreciated his professional approach as well as his good spirit and sharp sense of humor.
A special and deep bond connected Benni with the Director of the Courts, Judge Tzachi Uziel – a bond that began at the start of their careers, during their internships, and was built over years of friendship and partnership.
On weekends, Benni and Tzachi would walk around Tel Aviv – and so they also walked the paths of life: on their professional journey and in the court system. They developed together, were shaped together, and a deep, sincere, and rare true friendship was forged between them. Tzachi, I know you have lost a soulmate and life partner, I share in your sorrow.
Benni’s loss is a deep personal blow to all who accompanied him – from the beginning of his path until that accursed yesterday.
In an article you wrote, Benni, you stated that “a judge is a human being who is required daily to make complex decisions concerning people like himself. […] A judge who does his work faithfully is a judge who enters the courtroom with knowledge, the ability to listen, openness to be persuaded, and a clear understanding that he too might err in his ruling.”
You preached well, Benni, and you practiced well. You were a guide to many judges, you shared your experience, your insights as a judge and as a human being.
Benni – you were a champion in human relations, a champion in judicial work, a champion in criminal law, a champion in arrests, mediations, and plea bargains in the most complex cases, a champion in your unbelievable work output, in your endless dedication to judicial work, in your burning belief that it is possible and necessary to work with youth, to speak with students at eye level and introduce them to the justice system. Benni – you did not condescend to the people, because you were always among the people, part of the people, loving people as they are, a man of the people. So many people testified that you were their friend, because indeed you were everyone’s friend, a true and unquestioned consensus.
Benni, I hope that your image, your work, and the values you championed will be a small comfort to your dear family whom you loved so much. They were your pride. To your parents – Yossi and Frida; to your sisters – Sharon and Neta; to your dear wife Yael; and to your beloved children – Rani, Gili, and Ori – there are no words that will be adequate comfort. We bow our heads in deep sorrow, and ask to embrace you on behalf of an entire system. We will continue to stand by your side.
Benni, we will miss you very much.
Alas for the lost and unforgotten. We will not forget you, Benni.
