Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira (Hebrew: ישראל אבוחצירא‎), known as Baba Sali (Arabic: بابا صلى "praying father") (1890-1984), was a Moroccan-born rabbi and kabbalist. “Hebrew” redirects here. ... Arabic ( or just ) is the largest living member of the Semitic language family in terms of speakers. ... Rabbi, in Judaism, means a religious ‘teacher’, or more literally, ‘great one’. The word Rabbi is derived from the Hebrew root word , rav, which in biblical Hebrew means ‘great’ or ‘distinguished (in knowledge)’. Sephardic and Yemenite Jews pronounce this word ribbÄ«; the modern Israeli pronunciation rabbÄ« is derived from a... This article is about traditional Jewish Kabbalah. ...

The name AbuHatzeira has become legendary in fact, story and song among wide circles of modern-day Jews. This is due in no small measure to the impact on the Jewish consciousness of the life of the Baba Sali, the "Praying Father" of the Moroccan Jewish community, who made Aliyah to the Land of Israel in the middle of the twentieth century. Moroccan Jews constitute an ancient community. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Kingdom of Israel: Early ancient historical Israel — land in pink is the approximate area under direct central royal administration during the United Monarchy. ...

Family history

Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira was the scion of a family of great Talmudical scholars and Ba’alei Mofet (individuals who have the ability through prayer of performing miracles). The name Abuchatzeira comes to the fore in the person of Rabbi Shmuel Abuhatzeira, who was described by Rabbi Chaim Joseph David Azulai (the Chida) as an Ish Elokim Kadosh - "a holy man of God". Shmuel’s son, Masud (Moshe in Hebrew), became the rabbi in the Moroccan city of Tafilalt, and was followed in this position by his son, Yaakov, known as the Abir Yaakov, ("Prince of Yaakov"). His eldest son, named Masud after his grandfather, was the father of Rabbi Yisrael, the Baba Sali, who soon distinguished himself by his devotion to Torah study and service of God. His potential for greatness was recognized by his father, who encouraged him in his studies and, realizing that his son would be given the ability to have his blessings fulfilled, instilled in him the characteristic of Shemirat HaLashon, guarding one’s speech to an exceptional degree, as well as Shemirat HaEynayim, ("guarding one’s eyes"), to avoid witnessing unholy behavior. The first page of the Vilna Edition of the Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Berachot, folio 2a. ... The Chida Rabbi Chaim Joseph David ben Isaac Zerachia Azulai (1724 – 21 March 1807), commonly known as the Chida (by the acronym of his name), was a rabbinical scholar and a noted bibliophile, who pioneered the history of Jewish religious writings. ... Tafilalt or Tafilet is the most important oasis of the Moroccan Sahara, ten days journey south of Fez, across the Atlas. ... Torah study is the study by Jews of the Torah, Tanakh, Talmud, responsa, rabbinic literature and similar works, all of which are Judaisms religious texts, for the purpose of the mitzvah (commandment) of Torah study itself, meaning study for religious (as opposed to academic) purposes. ... Leshon ha-Ra, or Loshon Hora, (the evil tongue in Hebrew) denotes gossip, slander, and defamation. ...

Marriage

Following the instruction of Pirkei Avot (5:22), which advocates marriage by the age of eighteen (and not to be delayed by more than two years), Rabbi Yisrael was married at the age of sixteen to Precha Amsalem, who served as a worthy Ezer K’negdo, (a soul-mate and "helpmate" Genesis 2:18) throughout their long marriage. One occasion when the Baba Sali’s wife participated with him in the performance of a "miracle" was when a non-religious soldier in the Israel Defense Forces whose legs were paralyzed during the Yom Kippur War, came to them as a last resort for help. Rabbi Yisrael ascertained that he neither put on Tefillin nor observed the Shabbat. He told the soldier that God gives us limbs in order to serve Him, and if he would commit himself to becoming observant, he would help him receive a complete recovery. The soldier kissed the hand of the Baba Sali, and the Rabbi’s wife urged him to try to stand, and the soldier who had been paralyzed in his legs, stood up and began to walk.^{[citation needed]} Pirkei Avoth (Hebrew: Chapters of the Fathers, פרקי אבות ) or simply Avoth is a tractate of the Mishna composed of ethical maxims of the Rabbis of the Mishnaic period. ... Genesis (‎, Greek: Γένεσις, meaning birth, creation, cause, beginning, source or origin) is the first book of the Torah, the Tanakh, and the Old Testament of the Bible. ... Emblem of the IDF The Israel Defense Forces are part of the Israeli Security Forces. ... Combatants  Israel  Egypt,  Syria, br/>  Iraq Commanders Moshe Dayan, David Elazar, Ariel Sharon, Shmuel Gonen, Benjamin Peled, Israel Tal, Rehavam Zeevi, Aharon Yariv, Yitzhak Hofi, Rafael Eitan, Abraham Adan, Yanush Ben Gal Saad El Shazly, Ahmad Ismail Ali, Hosni Mubarak, Mohammed Aly Fahmy, Anwar Sadat, Abdel Ghani el-Gammasy, Abdul... Tefillin (Hebrew: תפלין), also called phylacteries, are two boxes containing Biblical verses and the leather straps attached to them which are used in traditional Jewish prayer. ... This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Rabbi Yisrael was one of the leaders of the Aliyah of Moroccan Jewry to Israel, which saw the transfer of nearly the entire population of that community to the Holy Land. This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

Baba Sali settled in Netivot, adjacent to the Yeshivat HaNegev. Because of his great influence, the Negev began to blossom spiritually, and thousands of Jews returned to their religious roots in Torah Judaism. The influence of this great Tzadik ("righteous person") extended far beyond Netivot, the Moroccan Jewish community and Israel and he became a cherished leader of the world Jewish community. Netivot (נתיבות) is a city in the Southern District of Israel in Israel. ... The term Torah Judaism is a term used by a number of Orthodox Jews to describe themselves. ... Tzadik - צדיק (plural: Tzadikkim) is the Hebrew word for righteous one, and is a title which is generally given to those whom are considered to be righteous such as a spiritual master or Rebbe. ...

Funeral and tomb

Exterior of Baba Sali's Tomb

Interior of Baba Sali's Tomb, men's side

Interior of Baba Sali's Tomb, women's side

He died in 1984 (4 Shevat 5744). His funeral was attended by an estimated 100,000 people. His grave-site in Netivot has become a popular pilgrimage site in Israel. Two other people are buried nearby. His second wife, Miriam Abuhatzeira, is buried in an adjoining wing of the Baba Sali Tomb as well as David Bouskila, the builder and founder of the tomb complex. In 2007, his Hillula (the anniversary of his passing, is on Tuesday January 22nd, with celebrations starting on Monday evening which starts the 4th of the month of Shevat. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Third wife

Baba Sali's third wife, Rabanit Simi Abuhatzeira, who married Baba Sali when she was 15, is living in Netivot.

Distinguished Colleagues

When Abuhatzeira lived in France, he would spend the Hebrew month of Elul as Nissan Neminov’s guest. (Rabbinic Journal HaPardes, June 1984, vol. 58, no. 9, pp. 30-31.) Elul (Hebrew: אֱלוּל, Standard Elul Tiberian  ; from Akkadian ) is the twelfth month of the Jewish civil year and the sixth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. ... Rabbi Nissan Neminov, known familiarly as Reb Nissan, was a famous Orthodox Jewish Rabbi. ...

External links

• Modernity and Charisma in Contemporary Israel: The Case of Baba Sali and Baba Baruch by Yoram Bilu and Eyal Ben-Ari, from Israel Affairs Volume 1, Number 3, Spring 1995