Merja gave me this FDC dated 16.6.1992 commemorating Rabbi Hayyim Benatar who died before
reaching the age of 50. During his short lifetime he spent brief periods of
time in a number of different countries. He
was one of the few Rabbis to whom the people gave the title "The Holy
One", and he and his famous book 'Or HaHayyim" ("Light of
Life") were widely acclaimed in all the countries of the Jewish Diaspora.
Rabbi Hayyim
Benatar was born in the town of Salé in Morocco, where, at the time, the Jews
were being persecuted by a despotic ruler. His genius was recognised at an
early age, as soon as he began teaching Torah to young people and adults and
writing his commentary on a section of the Talmud.
Rabbi Hayyim
wrote his most famous books, which are astounding in their scope and in their
depth. He wrote "Hafetz
Hashem" on the Talmud, “Pri
Toar" on the Code of Jewish Law, "Or
HaHayyim" on the Torah and "Rishon
Lezion" on the Prophets.
On his
arrival in Jerusalem everyone accepted his authority, recognising his genius
and his sanctity. His senior scholars were accepted to his Yeshiva, among them
Rabbi Hida who was to write "I have been privileged to have studied at his
exalted Yeshiva, and my eyes have seen the greatness of his teaching. A
brilliant thinker, a truly saintly person, and though his erudition s known
from his writings, this is only a small fraction of his genius and the breadth
of his benevolence".
Though he died
less then a year after his arrival in Jerusalem, he became a popular legend.
His book on the Torah "Light of
Life" is a basic book, which includes everything in it: Law and
Kabbalah, philosophy and legends, teachings and dialectics. He was known by the
title the Holy "Or HaHayyim", being named after his most famous work,
for which the Jewish world has always held him in the highest esteem.
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