Hacham Hizkiya David Aboulafia


Hacham Hizkiya David Aboulafia

Date of Birth: (0)
Date of Death: 7th of Cheshvan, 5533 (1772)
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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.

Hacham Hizkiya David Aboulafia, Ben Zuqunim, Part Two, p. 75, Eliezer Saadon Publishing, Livorno 1793 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”. 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."