Baba Sali
Rabbi Israel Abuhatzeira | |
|---|---|
 Baba Sali | |
| Title | Baba Sali |
| Personal | |
| Born | Israel Abuhatzeira[1] September 26, 1889 Rissani,Morocco |
| Died | January 8, 1984(aged 94) Netivot,Israel |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Nationality | Israeli,Moroccan |
| Spouse |
|
| Parent | Rabbi Mas'ud Abuhatzeira |
| Jewish leader | |
| Successor | Baba Baruch |
| Position | Rabbi |
| Buried | Netivot |
Israel Abuhatzeira(Hebrew:ר׳ יִשְׂרָאֵל אַבּוּחַצִירָא), known as theBaba Sali(Arabic:بابا صلى,Hebrew:בַּאבָּא סָאלִי,lit. "Praying Father" ) (1889–1984) was a leadingMoroccanSephardicrabbiandkabbalistwho was renowned for his alleged ability to work miracles through his prayers.[2]His burial place inNetivot,Israel has become ashrinefor prayers and petitioners.
Early life and family[edit]
Israel Abuhatzeira was born onRosh Hashanah5650 (1889). He was the scion of the distinguishedAbu Hasira/Abuhatzeira familyofSephardicTorah scholarsandtzadikimwho were also known asbaalei mofet(miracle workers). He is the grandson ofYaakov Abuhatzeira.[3]The patriarch of this family was ShmuelAbuhatzeira.Born in the land ofIsrael,Shmuel lived inDamascusfor a while, where he studied Torah together withChaim Vital.InShem Hagedolim,Chaim Joseph David Azulaidescribed Shmuel as "anish Elohim kadosh(a holy man of God). Wise people speak of his might and wonders in saving the Jewish community from many difficulties. "
Shmuel and his family eventually moved to the city ofTafilalt,Morocco, where Shmuel's son Mas'ud (MosheinHebrew) became therabbiof the city. Mas'ud's son, Yaakov, known as the Avir Yaakov, succeeded his father as rabbi of Tafilalt. Yaakov's eldest son, Mas'ud, became anav beit dinin the same city, and it was here that his son, Israel, was born.[2]
Abuhatzeira's family lived on a large estate which included a yeshiva where young scholars studied night and day. Thebeit din(rabbinical court) of his father, Mas'ud, was also located on the premises. His older brother, David, studied by himself in an attic. On the rare times that Mas'ud traveled, he would cover his eyes with his cape to avoid seeing inappropriate sights.[2]
As a child, Abuhatzeira was a diligent Torah scholar, studying day and night. At the age of 12, he began tofastduring the six weeks ofShovavim.Knowing his parents would not let him continue, he hid his fasting from them, but his brother, David, noticed how weak and pale he was. Though David urged him to stop, Yisrael continued his fasting.[2]
After hisbar mitzvah,he entered his family's yeshiva, where the students rose at midnight forTikkun Chatzotand then studied Kabbalistic works until dawn, when they would go to themikveh,pray the morning service, and eat breakfast. This was followed by in-depthgemarastudy, the afternoon prayers, and ashiurinShulchan Aruch.[2]
Later years[edit]
In 1951, Abuhatzeira immigrated toIsraeland settled inLodwhere he tried to conceal himself from the public. However, he was soon discovered and offered the position of Chief Rabbi of Lod, which he declined. He then moved toBaka, Jerusalemwhere he managed to keep a low profile for a while, without his neighbors even knowing who he was. Again, he was eventually "discovered" and after the death of Chief Rabbi of Israel,Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uzielin 1953, he was offered the position, which he also turned down.[4]
Several years after his arrival in Israel, the news reached Abuhatzeira that Jewish life in Morocco had spiritually deteriorated greatly, so he returned to his country of birth to lead and inspire the community there. In 1964, he returned to Israel again and soon settled inNetivot,a city in theNegev.He received visitors from all over, asking him for blessings[4]and advice.[5]
Funeral and tomb[edit]
Abuhatzeira died in 1984 (4Shevat5744). His funeral was attended by an estimated 100,000 people. His gravesite inNetivothas become a popular pilgrimage site in Israel. On theanniversary of his death,thousands come to visit his tomb and pray.[6]
References[edit]
- ^https:// jewoftheweek.net/2019/01/09/jew-of-the-week-baba-sali/
- ^abcde"The Baba Sali, Rav Yisrael Abuhatzeira, zt "l".Archived fromthe originalon 4 December 2005.Retrieved24 August2015.
- ^http:// themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=30952Archived2015-03-15 at theWayback MachineIsraeli Pilgrims to Egyptian Grave Met With Hostility, David E. Miller, December 28, 2010.
- ^abBamberger, Rabbi Moshe (November 2015).Great Jewish Treasures, A Collection of Precious Judaica associated with Torah Leaders.Brooklyn, NY: Mesorah Publications, Ltd. p. 148.ISBN978-1-4226-1666-6.
- ^Zakon, Rabbi Nachman (June 2003).The Jewish Experience- 2,000 Years: A Collection of Significant Events(Second ed.). Shaar Press. p. 192.ISBN1-57819-496-2.
- ^"Baba Sali".Go Israel. Archived fromthe originalon 25 December 2011.Retrieved14 December2011.
External links[edit]
- Baba Sali Foundation[dead link]
- Famous Rabbisat theWayback Machine(archived February 7, 2008)
- Portrait of the baba Sali
- Stories of Baba Sali
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