Hacham Yoseph Genassia

Date of Birth: 5640 (1879)
Date of Death: 8th of Tamuz, 5722 (1962)

The Daily Sage, a database of Jewish Spanish sages

A Short Tribute

Hacham Yoseph Genassia was born to Zehira and Hacham David during the month of Heshvan, 5640 (1879) in Constantine, Algeria.

Hacham Yoseph Genassia presided as Chief Rabbi of the Constantine district and as a dayan in its rabbinic court. He headed the Talmud Torah and officiated as a head of the city's yeshiva, Etz Haim.

Hacham Yoseph Genassia devoted his efforts to translating religious books to Judeo-Arabic (Arabic written in Hebrew letters). His work includes a translation of the Mishnah, Maimonides' Mishneh Torah and the RI"F's work on the Talmud. His work in the field of translation earned him the title "the modern Even Tibbon". He also worked on his commentary of religious texts and authored many works.

Hacham Yoseph Genassia translated historic and literary writings as well, and compiled dictionaries. He had a comprehensive grasp of French culture, having served in the French military as a youth. He was in favor of Alliance Israelite Universelle schools and supported the incorporation of secular studies. He wrote many textbooks for yeshiva students and for Jewish educational institutions, among them two introductory textbooks for novices in Jewish Philosophy.

In 1962 Algeria obtained its independence, and Hacham Yoseph Genassia immigrated to Israel with his students, settling with them in Dimona. Less than a year after his arrival to Israel, Hacham Yoseph Genassia passed away, on 8 Tammuz 5732 (1962).

Hacham Yoseph Genassia bequeathed a magnificent Torah legacy that includes over 130 works, including, to mention very few, Zeved Tov – on the Passover Haggadah, Kibbud Av v'Em, Shai LeMora – on Torah, Hok David – on hidden aspects of Torah, Derech Tzaddikim – on Mesilat Yesharim

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Love of Israel

in which he teaches how the Four Sons' questions show that women are obligated to eat matzah

We can understand the Four Sons' questions in the following way: The Wise Son asks, 'What are these statutes?' If women are exempt from commandments that entail a specific time, why do they eat matzah? The answer arrives: Even you say to him, 'One may not eat the anything after the Passover offering'. The reason is to have the taste of the Passover offering remain in our mouths so that we do not forget the Almighty's miracles. Women are obligated to respect the customs of their ancestors and to not forget the miracles performed for us by the Almighty; women, therefore, are also obligated. And the Wicked Son says, 'What is this worship to you? ...he excludes himself'. Seeing his father give his mother matzah, he says, "What is this? Are women not exempt?" You, therefore, 'blunt his teeth' – for saying 'you', and meaning to exclude himself. Say to him, "Because of what God did for me in Egypt" – for God performed great miracles when we left Egypt, and therefore women are obligated to respect the customs of their ancestors. And the Simple Son also asks: "What is this?" Why do you give matzah to women? Is this not a commandment that entails a specific hour?" The explanation is given: 'God took us out of Egypt with a mighty Hand'. And the one who understands nothing, and "knows not how to ask" ... needs his father to teach him Torah.

Hacham Yoseph Genassia, Zeved Tov, p.3b, Hai Haddad Press, Djerba 1962 From 'The Daily Sage'