Hacham Daniel Hacohen Nahar


Hacham Daniel Hacohen Nahar

Date of Birth: 5564 (1804)
Date of Death: 27th of Iyar, 5641 (1881)
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A Short Tribute

Hacham Daniel Hacohen Nahar was born to Miriam and Joshua Abraham in 1804 in Izmir, Turkey. He studied Torah with Hacham Rakhamim Arieh Arayesh, who would later become his father-in-law, and with Hacham Raphael Pincas de Sigora, known as the PARDE"S.

At the age of 25, after engaging in Torah study, he began to work in commerce and supported his parents, because of his father's illness. He continued his Torah study despite his work in commerce; he paid to have a Torah scroll written for him and supported the publication of several manuscripts on religious matters.

He wanted to immigrate to Israel his entire life and was only able to fulfill his wish at the age of seventy. He settled in Safed, where he officiated as a rabbi and preacher. He returned to Izmir after four years for unknown reasons.

Hacham Daniel Hacohen Nahar passed away on 27 Iyar, 5641 (1881) in Izmir at the age of 77. On the day of his demise he was still lucid; he gathered his family around him to bless them. Afterwards he began to recite the Aleinu L'Shabe'akh prayer, and then died.

Hacham Daniel Hacohen Nahar authored several works which were consumed in the Great Fire of 1841 in Izmir. Yad Nahar, his only remaining book of which we know, was published in 1884 by the Abraham Pontrimoli Press, thanks to his son's efforts. The book contains 14 sermons prepared for different occasions. His will, which contains various articles on ethics and faith, was found among the shrouds he had prepared for himself in advance and appears in the book's first pages.

 

"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”. 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”.

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."