A Short Tribute

Hacham Haim Hacohen, son of Kalfa, was born on 26 Kislev 5669 (1909) on the island of Djerba in Tunis. He began his Torah studies with Hacham Machluf Idan. In 1961 he left for Tripoli, Libya, and eventually returned to Djerba to serve as rabbi of the city of Medenin, succeeding Hacham Hayuto Houri, who had immigrated to the Land of Israel. He studied ritual slaughter and became a licensed shochet. When the community shrank, after most of its members immigrated to Israel, Hacham Haim Hacohen moved to Tunis to work as a shochet.

The Muslim population's hostility towards the Jews increased after the Six Day War of 1967 and, in 1971, Hacham Haim Hacohen moved to Israel with his family. They settled in Beer Sheva, and he dedicated himself to his writing.

Hacham Haim Hacohen passed away on 27 Kislev 5735 (1974) and was buried in Beer Sheva. He wrote She'erit Haim, a book on the weekly Torah Reading portions.