Hacham Nissim Abraham Ashkenazi


Hacham Nissim Abraham Ashkenazi

Date of Birth: (0)
Date of Death: 15th of Elul, 5620 (1860)
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A Short Tribute

Hacham Nissim Abraham Ashkenazi was born to Rachel and Raphael in Izmir, Turkey. He learned Torah from his father and from the sages of Izmir of his time.

Hacham Nissim Abraham Ashkenazi married Rachel Sharuta. Despite her 18 pregnancies, none of their children survived past early childhood.

Hacham Nissim Abraham Ashkenazi officiated as dayan in the Izmir rabbinic court alongside Hacham Haim Palagi. His home was a meeting place for scholars and his door open to the city's needy residents.

Hacham Nissim Abraham Ashkenazi passed away on 15 Elul 5620 (1860). He was a prolific writer, and while only some of his work was published during his lifetime, his brother's children had several of his books printed. Among his books one counts Nechmad LeMar'eh – a commentary on the Jerusalem Talmud, Ma'aseh Abraham – responsa on the four parts of the Shulchan 'Aruch, Darash Abraham – sermons and commentary on the Torah, Na'eh Doresh – a collection of sermons, and Na'eh LeHodot – a commentary on the Book of Psalms.

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Redemption of Israel
in which he explains that the Holy One, blessed be He, builds Jerusalem each and every day
"The LORD rebuilds Jerusalem; He will gather in the exiles of Israel." One must ask why it says "rebuilds" using the present tense, and not "will rebuild Jerusalem" as it does in saying "will gather in the exiles of Israel"… It says "rebuilds Jerusalem" for God builds Jerusalem each and every day by having the ministering angels busy in its rebuilding, as it says, and this is an great teaching, for He will gather in the exiles of Israel and we have not been forgotten by God.
Hacham Nissim Abraham Ashkenazi, Na'eh LeHodot, 422, published by Moshe Eisencott, Bnei Brak, 2006 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."