Hacham Eliyahu Cohen


Hacham Eliyahu Cohen

Date of Birth: (0)
Date of Death: 20th of Tevet, 5684 (1923)
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A Short Tribute

Hacham Eliyahu Cohen, son of Hacham Kamus Cohen, was born in Djerba, Tunisia.

He began his Torah studies with Hacham Moshe Zaqen Mazouz and Hacham Haim Cohen. Hacham Eliyahu Cohen was an expert in the Halakha of ritual slaughtering and kashrut, serving as a shochet and bodeq in Djerba. He exchanged letters and Responsa with the sages of Tunis, including Hacham Kalfon Hacohen, Hacham Moshe Zaqen Mazouz and Hacham Shimon Cohen, among others.

Hacham Eliyahu Cohen officiated in the Tripoli rabbinate for a short period.

He passed away on 20 Tevet, 5684 (1923) in Djerba.

Hacham Eliyahu Cohen left us with original commentary on the Bible, Orakh Mishor – drash [homiletic] and Derech Yashar – pshat [literal], and original commentary on Talmud, Tractate Avot, and Responsa on Treifa halakha. His writings were kept by Hacham Eliyahu Moshe Cohen Driham, whose children had them published after immigrating to Israel in a book entitled Orchot Haim.

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Customs of Israel
in which he gives the reason for reciting "Kol Israel" before engaging in Torah study, for the portion [of the World-to-Come] is rewarded not only to the one who studies
"All of Israel has a share in the World-to-Come". It is the Jewish custom to recite this Mishna before reading a Mishna or Halakha. The reason may be found in what our sages, of blessed memory, said: "Whoever supports Torah scholars is considered as though he studies, 'for to be in the shelter of wisdom is to be also in the shelter of money'. We learn from this that those who support Torah scholars are considered as though they, themselves, study because they enable Torah scholars to study and are rewarded as though they have fulfilled [the mitzvah]. This is what is meant by "All of Israel". 'All' – includes the supporters, which is why we always recite this Mishna before we study, indicating that the supporters are rewarded as though they themselves study, as the verse that follows shows, "And Your people are all righteous". Question: Are there not, however, some people who do not deal in Torah? But by supporting them and providing them with a livelihood, they share the reward and all are, therefore, righteous.
Hacham Eliyahu Cohen, Orchot Haim, p. 334, Ahavat Shalom Publishing, Jerusalem 1990 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).