Hacham Hizkiya David Aboulafia


A Short Tribute

Hacham Hizkiya David Aboulafia was born to Mordecai Aboulafia, who was the grandson of Rabbi Haim Aboulafia the First, one of those who renewed the Jewish settlement in Tiberias.

He may have been the author of Ben Zequnim, published in 1793 in Livorno. The book contains two parts: Yesod 'Olam – six chapters on the principles of the Talmud, and Mizmor LeDavid – poems, aphorisms and dirges.

Hacham Hizkiya David Aboulafia married the daughter of the rabbi of Trieste, Hacham Yitzhak Formigioni, but they had no children (hence the title of his book, Ben Zequnim – a child born in his or her parents' old age). Additional manuscripts of his, Shigaion David and Kina Mintoba, were apparently lost in a fire.

Hacham Hizkiya David Aboulafia passed away on 7 Heshvan, 5533 (1772), and is believed to be buried next to Zecharia's tomb, at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

 

A few quotes from the Rabbi on 'Israel and the Nations' in which he offers a prayer that the seed of peace be sown in the hearts of all residents of Khaled

You who are Man's Guardian, grant our hands the strength that guards the paths of justice, instill in our hearts the ways of Your love and wholehearted awe of You, they will increase our valor. You, whose eyes see the entire world in a moment's glance, plant the seed of peace in the hearts of all residents of Khaled, that they may love one another and be devoted to each other as brothers, as good and loyal friends, and all be as one, that they may offer songs of love and gratitude to You for Your having bestowed Your majesty upon them.

Ben Zuqunim, Part Two, p. 75, Eliezer Saadon Publishing, Livorno 1793