Hacham Reuben Ben David


Hacham Reuben Ben David

Date of Birth: 5683 (1923)
Date of Death: 7th of Sivan, 5735 (1975)
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A Short Tribute

Hacham Reuben Ben David was born to Rachel and Simon in 1923, in Morocco. He was raised in Hacham Abuhatziera’s home (the Baba Sali) and learned Torah from him.

As a young man, he isolated himself in the yeshiva located on the upper floor of his home and studied Torah day and night. He wrote many original commentaries, which he eventually had published.

Hacham Reuben Ben David officiated as dayan and halakhic instructor in the city of Banhmad and later also taught in the Otzar HaTorah institutions with Hacham Raphael Abo.

In 1956 Hacham Reuben Ben David immigrated to Israel with his family and settled in Ashkelon. He refused to take on a rabbinic position and earned a modest livelihood as a manual laborer.

 

Hacham Reuben Ben David passed away on 7 Sivan 5735 (1975). He wrote a great number of books, only a few of which were published during his lifetime; his children had most of his books published after his decease.

A partial list of Hacham Reuben Ben David’s books: Oz Ve’Hadar, Nefesh Tov,  Kol Mevasser, Meshiv Davar – responsa, Milta B’Ta’ama, Igeret HaMussar, ‘Arba Bimsara, Beni Reuven, Galei Razia, Ilan HaKadosh.

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Redemption of Israel
in which he teaches about the order of the four Torah Reading Portions that begin with the month of Adar, and lead into the redemption

The attribute of charity is known to be great, so much so that our teachers, of blessed memory, said that redemption from exile follows from it, as it says, “…and those that return with her in righteousness (tzedakah: righteousness, charity)”. Should you ask, how does it differ from other commandments in the Torah, the reply lies in what has been conveyed to us: A transgression "extinguishes" a mitzvah, yet no transgression can extinguish the mitzvah of charity, for it says “His righteousness abides forever”. As we know, “they were redeemed during Nissan, and will be redeemed in Nissan in the future”. On the New Moon of Adar, therefore, (the commandment of) sheqalim is announced and heard by all, calling to fulfill the mitzvah of charity and, by virtue of its fulfillment, hasten the arrival of the redemption. For it atones for sins, as it says in the Book of Daniel, “Redeem your sins by beneficence”; we therefore read the Reading Portion of Sheqalim, to indicate this. We follow with the Zachor Reading Portion, about the eradication of Amaleq, for it is by virtue of charity that the name of Amaleq will be erased, as was Haman, who came from that seed. The Reading Portion of Parah follows…since it atones for us by virtue of the charity we do during the month of Adar, so does the Red Heifer. These are the reasons for which we will merit redemption speedily in our day during this month of Nissan…and this is the reason why (we read the) Reading Portion HaHodesh before the New Moon of Nissan – to tell them (the community) to prepare themselves for redemption by repenting. And so that they do not despair of the redemption arriving, we read the HaHodesh Reading Portion, to say: Just as the month is renewed every New Moon, thus will the People of Israel be renewed in the future.

Hacham Reuben Ben David, Milta B’Taama, pp. 64-65, HaMaarav Press, Jerusalem 1973 From 'The Daily Sage'

"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).