Hacham David Papo


Hacham David Papo

Date of Birth: 22nd of Iyar, 5608 (1848)
Date of Death: 22nd of Nissan, 5687 (1927)
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A Short Tribute

Hacham David Papo was born to Sultana and Shlomo in Kushta (Istanbul of today) on 22 Iyar 5608 (1848). In 1855, at the age of seven, he immigrated with his family to the Land of Israel, where they settled in Jerusalem. His father dealt in commerce. Hacham David Papo studied with sages Yitzhak Ashkenazi, Yaakov Meir and Mordecai Israel, and was ordained to the rabbinate in Jerusalem. He married Mazal, and the couple had four children Victoria, Shlomo, Meir and Sultana; they lived from his father's estate until a fire destroyed all his wealth.

Hacham David Papo moved to Tripoli, Libya, where he was appointed Chief Rabbi (1893). In 1895, he received an appointment from Kushta and went to serve as rabbi and head of the rabbinic court in Russe, Bulgaria. He was appointed Chief Rabbi of Monastiri (today's Bitula, Macedonia) in 1901, which he left to serve as Chief Rabbi of Baghdad, 1903. He remained in this position for a period of seven years, and during this time had a large Talmud Torah built that also ran a kitchen for orphans and needy people.

Hacham Papo returned to Jerusalem from Baghdad, where he served as head of a rabbinic court and head of the Misgav LaDach hospital. Hacham David Papo's two books were published in Jerusalem: Bni Meir – a book of sermons, and Pnei David – a book of Responsa. Hacham David Papo also often wrote out his ideas on single sheets of paper that he would fold up and save. The introductions to his books memorialize his sons: Meir, who died at a young age while the family was in Iraq, and his son Shlomo, who was drafted to the Ottoman Empire army during the First World War and never returned.

Hacham David Papo passed away on 22 Nissan, 5687 (1927).

 

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Torah Study
in which he teaches that hearing Torah from sages is preferable to studying from books

Listen, my friend. Know that hearing something first-hand is better than reading it…This is because speakers will change the level of their voice, raise and lower it, and give a sense to their words using their facial expressions and gaze, in keeping with the moment and according to need. And since those people listening may be standing, speakers will make the effort to have their words sound agreeable reach their public, and use a triumphant voice to make a greater and more powerful impression on their listeners... Just as Rabbi Bina wrote, that at times things written in a book, with all due sanctity, may be but the bare bones of a matter and have little vitality, have little effect and make no lasting impression on readers nor stir their hearts. But hearing those who teach and preach when they are present, alive and moving, adds to the power of speech beyond the actual contents of the matter, and is felt deeply by listeners, leaving them in wonder and moving them to action…for such reprimand coming from the living penetrates the inner being of the wise and settles within it, leaving them with a powerful impression that is not easily dispelled.

Hacham David Papo, Bnei Meir, Introduction, Jerusalem 1914 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).