Hacham Yitzhak Houri


Hacham Yitzhak Houri

Date of Birth: 5568 (1808)
Date of Death: 21st of Nissan, 5628 (1868)
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A Short Tribute

Hacham Yitzhak Houri, son of Hacham Menachem, was born in 1808 in Djerba, Tunisia. He first learned Torah from his father and from Hacham Yitzhak Haddad.

Hacham Yitzhak Houri officiated as a dayan in Djerba, and is most likely the individual behind Aliyat Rabbi Yitzhak Houri, the famous Djerba yeshiva that housed a large library of important books and where many of the Djerba sages studied.

Hacham Yitzhak Houri is known for having supported Hacham Sassi Hacohen Yonatan, President of the Djerba Rabbinic Court, from childhood. He gave his daughter to him in marriage, and supported them until Hacham Sassi Hacohen Yonatan became president of the rabbinic court. Later in life, his luck turned and he lost his wealth; he moved to Zauia, Libya, to preach Torah.

Hacham Yitzhak Houri passed away on 21 Nissan, 5628 (1868). Hacham Yitzhak Houri wrote various original commentaries on the Torah that can be found in Bnei Shalishim, part of the book entitled Kiryat ‘Arba.

 

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Love of Israel
in which he teaches that a single Hakhel (assembly) with no divisive conflict is an equivalent of fulfilling all 613 commandments

“Moses then convoked the whole Israelite community and said to them: These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do”. The 613 commandments correspond to the body’s 248 organs (evarim – the number of positive commandment) and 365 sinews and ligaments (giddim – the number of negative commandments). Commentators ask how it is possible to fulfill them all… and explain that through unity, each person benefits from those fulfilled by their fellow person, so that together they are considered as having fulfilled them all. The written text, “Moses then convoked the whole Israelite community and said to them”, was meant to suggest that should we be convoked as a whole and become united, with no divisive conflict, so that “These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do”, meaning that it is possible for you to fulfill them, and that each one of you will be considered as having fulfilled them all. This may be what Scripture refers to by (having the verse) “Moses commanded Torah to us, the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob” (followed by) “when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together”.

Hacham Yitzhak Houri, Kiryat ‘Arba, Bnei Shalishim, p. 45, Vazan and Castro Press, Tunis, 1896 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."