Hacham Reuven Maurice Alush


Hacham Reuven Maurice Alush

Date of Birth: 5692 (1932)
Date of Death: 1st of Adar, 5746 (1985)
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A Short Tribute

Hacham Reuven Maurice Alush was born to Atritza and Hacham Mas'oud Alush in 1932, in Tatouine, Tunisia. He began his Torah studies with Hacham Mekiketz Haddad. In 1952, he was appointed shochet, cantor and darshan (preacher) for the city of Tatouine, where he also taught children. He married Miriam in 1952 and the couple was blessed with boys and girls. In 1956, he moved to the town of Zarzis where he served as shochet and was a children's teacher.

Hacham Reuven Maurice Alush was able to immigrate to Israel in 1967, and settled in Beer Sheva. At the request of his rabbi, Hacham Mordecai Sigron, he moved to the Zimrat moshav to support him as the moshav rabbi during his last years. In 1969, following the decease of Hacham Mordecai Sigron, Hacham Reuven Maurice Alush was appointed Rabbi of Zimrat. He was renowned for his humility and for his moving and easily understood sermons.

Hacham Reuven Maurice Alush passed away on 1 Adar, 5746 (1985).

Hacham Reuven Maurice Alush wrote many original commentaries on Torah and Talmud, published in the following books: Ma'aseh Yadai – original commentary on the Torah, VaYagidu L'Moshe – a commentary on the Passover Haggadah, Yehi Reuven – sermons on various topics, and Sha'arei Rachamim – original commentary on the Talmud.

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Israel and the Nations
in which he teaches to pursue peace in the world wherever peace-making is required

Peace is the greatest attribute of all, for we are not told to pursue any other mitzvah but rather to fulfill them when the opportunity arises, such as "If, along the road, you chance upon a bird’s nest", "When you encounter your enemy’s ox or ass wandering" or "When you see the ass of your enemy". Whereas concerning peace, it says "seek peace and pursue it", to go from place to place to make peace. This is what the Tanah means in Pirkei Avot: "Be of the disciples of Aharon, loving peace and pursuing peace". The meaning is that it does not suffice to love peace when it happens to come by, but that you should also pursue peace, even when it does not happen to come by. This is how, with Heaven's help, I say we are to explain what our Sages, of blessed memory, have said: "Torah scholars increase peace in the world". To be precise, what do "increase" and "in the world" mean? They could have said that Torah scholars make peace, but the text makes it clear that, aside from making peace, they also increase it by pursuing it, in the world, wherever it is necessary to make peace."

Hacham Reuven Maurice Alush, Yehi Reuven, in Shemo Reuven, p. 245, Netivot, 1987 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."