Yisrael Abuhatzeira | |
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יִשְׂרָאֵל אַבּוּחַצִירָא | |
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| Title | Baba Sali |
| Personal life | |
| Born | Yisrael Abuhatzeira[1] (1889-09-26)26 September 1889 Rissani, Morocco |
| Died | 8 January 1984(1984-01-08) (aged 94) Netivot, Israel |
| Buried | |
| Nationality | Israel,Morocco |
| Spouse |
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| Parent | Rabbi Mas'ud Abuhatzeira |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Jewish leader | |
| Successor | Baba Baruch |
| Position | Rabbi |
Yisrael Abuhatzeira (Hebrew:יִשְׂרָאֵל אַבּוּחַצִירָא; 26 September 1889 – 8 January 1984), known as theBaba Sali (Hebrew:בַּאבָּא סָאלִי;Arabic:بابا صالي;lit. 'Praying Father') was a leadingMoroccanSephardicrabbi andkabbalist who was renowned for his ability to work miracles through his prayers.[2] His burial place inNetivot, Israel has become ashrine for prayers and petitioners.
Yisrael Abuhatzeira was born onRosh Hashanah 5650 (1889). He was the scion of the distinguishedAbu Hasira/Abuhatzeira family ofSephardicTorah scholars andtzadikim who were also known asbaalei mofet (miracle workers). He is the grandson ofYaakov Abuhatzeira.[3] The patriarch of this family was Shmuel Elbaz. Born in theLand of Israel, Shmuel lived inDamascus for a while, where he studied Torah together withChaim Vital. InShem Hagedolim,Chaim Joseph David Azulai described 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's descendants eventually moved to the city ofTafilalt, Morocco, where Shmuel's descendent Mas'ud became therabbi of the city. Mas'ud's son, Yaakov, known as the Abir Yaakov, succeeded his father as rabbi of Tafilalt. Yaakov's eldest son, Mas'ud, became anav beit din in the same city, and it was here that his son, Yisrael, 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 tofast during 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 Chatzot and then studied Kabbalistic works until dawn, when they would go to themikveh, pray the morning service, and eat breakfast. This was followed by in-depthgemara study, the afternoon prayers, and ashiur inShulchan Aruch.[2]
In 1951, Abuhatzeira immigrated toIsrael and settled inLod where 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, Jerusalem where 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 Uziel in 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]
Abuhatzeira died on 8 January 1984 (4 Shevat 5744). His funeral was attended by an estimated 100,000 people. His gravesite inNetivot has become a popular pilgrimage site in Israel. On theanniversary of his death, thousands come to visit his tomb and pray.[6]
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