Hacham Yitzhak Abihatzeira


Hacham Yitzhak Abihatzeira

Date of Birth: 23rd of Elul, 5655 (1895)
Date of Death: 25th of Adar II, 5730 (1970)
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Hacham Yitzhak Abihatzeira, known as the Baba Khaki, son of Hacham Mas'our Abihatzeira, was born on 23 Elul, 5655 (1895) in the town of Rissani, in the Tafilalt region of Morocco. His grandfather, Hacham Yaakov Abihatzeira, was known as the Abir Yaakov, and his brother was Hacham Israel Abuhatzeira, the Baba Sali.

In 1920, during an uprising against the French Protectorate, the Abihatziera family was suspected of collaborating with the French. Hacham David Abuhatzeira, his elder brother, was murdered and Hacham Yitzhak Abihatzeira fled with his brother Hacham Israel to the city of Budniv, where they reestablished their yeshiva.

In 1936, Hacham Yitzhak Abihatzeira moved with his family to Erfoud, which was under French rule, to lead its Jewish community.

In 1945, Hacham Yitzhak Abihatzeira left Morocco for Oran, Algeria, where many Jews who had left Tafilalt lived and sought his leadership.

With the State of Israel's founding in 1948, Hacham Yitzchak Abihatzeira made aliyah with his sons and daughters and settled in the Givat Olga transit camp. When Hacham Ben Zion Hai Uziel, the Rishon LeZion, heard of Hacham Yitzhak's arrival to Israel, he rushed to welcome him and placed the Chief Rabbi's veil on Hacham Yitzhak's head.

Hacham Yitzhak Abihatzeira was appointed Chief Rabbi of Ramleh, where he served for twenty years. He was the Chairman of the Israel Sephardic and Mizrachi Communities' Rabbis Organization founded by Rishon LeZion Hacham Yitzhak Nissim, as well as a member of the Chief Rabbinic Council.

In 1959, following the Wadi Salib uprising that broke out because of the discrimination against Israel's mizrachi communities, he served on the national enquiry committee and was its only North African member.

Hacham Yitzhak Abihatzeira was famous for his blessings and as a miracle-worker. He welcomed all those in need to his home. Hacham Yitzhak Abihatzeira was succeeded by six sons and six daughters, born to him from two wives, among whom are chief city rabbis, heads of yeshivot and public figures.

Hacham Yitzhak Abihatzeira died on 25 Adar Bet 5730 (1970) in a traffic accident while on his way back from a visit to his brother, the Baba Sali, in Netivot, and lies buried in Ramleh. His writings remain unknown, and the following quotations are from materials in his family's possession.

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Love of Israel
in which he expresses his wish to strive for total unity and end discrimination

Concerning the moment when the Torah was given, it says "facing the mountain". Which means that we face a difficult mountain, a harsh situation, and we must unite. I bless this committee with the uniting and unification of all factions. The nation of Israel must strive for total unity. Therefore, on this occasion, I turn to all parties with the request that discrimination between groups of different ethnic origins be abolished, that we may no longer have Ashkenazim, Sephardim, or Yemenites. We all belong to the nation of Israel and live in the Land of Israel. The nation of Israel was in exile, and it is this exile that divides us and that made us become Moroccan Jews, or Russian Jews. But now that we have returned to the land promised to us by the Holy One, blessed be He, we are to end discrimination between ethnic communities and become one nation.

Hacham Yitzhak Abihatzeira, From an address at the Hapoel Mizrachi Movement by Rabbi Yitzhak – National Hapoel Mizrachi Committee, p. 70, 1961 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).