Hacham Abraham Bittan


Hacham Abraham Bittan

Date of Birth: (0)
Date of Death: 25th of Cheshvan, 5761 (2001)
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A Short Tribute

Hacham Abraham Bittan was born to Bircha and Hacham Rachamim in Djerba, Tunis. He began learning Torah with Hacham Halfon HaCohen and later served as rabbi of the Hacham Yaacov Houri synagogue in Djerba.

Hacham Abraham Bittan married Falila Houri and the couple had three children.

In 1958, Hacham Abraham Bittan was able to immigrate with his wife and two of their children to Israel. They first lived in a ma'abara (transit camp) near Rechovot and later settled in Netivot. A few years later, his father and mother immigrated to Israel as well, along with his third son, and also settled in Netivot.

Hacham Abraham Bittan was a colleague of Hacham Raphael Cadir Tzaban and participated regularly in his weekly class. He was also Hacham Raphael Cadir Tzaban's personal messenger and was responsible for the allocation of tithes by the merchants of the Netivot market.

Hacham Abraham Bittan passed away on 25 Heshvan 5761 (2001) and was buried in the Netivot cemetery.

Hacham Abraham Bittan published his original commentaries in the following books: Shmo Avraham A – original commentary on the Talmud and Responsa; VeHochiakh Avraham – various sermons, Shmo Avraham B – original commentary on Torah, and sermons; Yosef Avraham – a collection of good mores.

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Torah Study
in which he teaches that by being together in peace and brotherhood, they will all be learned in Torah

"And all your children shall be disciples of the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children." The way that they will "be disciples of the LORD" – that is, learned in Torah and (having) fear of Heaven – is by "great shall be the peace of your children". This means that by being together in peace, brotherhood and friendship they will be able reprimand one another, and that the words of reprimand will be heard, so that all will follow God's path. This is also understood from the following: Hillel says, "Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving the creatures and bringing them closer to Torah." When one loves and pursues peace, and loves people, one can reprimand them what one says is accepted; they follow the paths of God and fear of Heaven. For this reason, the text ends with "bringing them closer to Torah".

Hacham Abraham Bittan, VeHochiakh Et Avraham, from Shmo Avraham A, pp. 42 – 43, I.A. Itach Printing, Jerusalem, 1976 From 'The Daily Sage'
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"It is our custom to light a yahrzeit candle in honor of the memory of the Sages, as it is said: “the life breath of man is the lamp of the Lord” (Proverbs 20:27). And it is good to add from the light of the Torah to the light of the candle, as it is said “For the commandment is a lamp, the teaching is a light” (Proverbs 6:23). And it is good to increase the teaching of the Sage on the anniversary of his death, as Rabbi Yochanan based on the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai said, “Each scholar whose sayings are taught in this world, his lips speak from the grave (Bechorot 31B).”

“Even if all of the skies are a blank parchment, and all human beings are clerks, and all of the forests are quills, we would never be able to write down what our Sages have taught us. But even a few righteous are also good, and thanks to the sacred Torah and the teachings that Israel will learn in the Sage’s name on the anniversary of his death, the Holy One Blessed be He, will share our part with them, and we will never be ashamed because of our faith in the Holy One Blessed be He, and on his great benevolence and truth will we lean, for He hides his abundant goodness for those who are worthy and revere Him.”

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Rabbi Chananaia son of Akashia stated, God wanted to grant merits to Israel, therefore he gave them many laws and commandments as it states, "Because God wants righteousness he increased the amount of Torah and splendor." (Isaiah 42:21).