By D. Sofer

This article originally appeared in Yated Neeman, Monsey NY. and is reprinted here with their permission

Rav Yosef Chaim, the Ben Ish Chai of Baghdad, was one of Sephardic Jewry's greatest luminaries. During his time, wherever Jews of Sephardic descent settled, they would refer their halachic questions to him. Today, nearly a century after his passing, his approach to halacha and his customs are still followed by Sephardic Jews from all sects, the world over. His writings are also treasured by all Jews, Sephardic and Askhenazic alike.

His main disciple, the kabbalist and tzaddik Rav Yehuda Moshe Petaya, once commented that a strong indicator of Rav Yosef Chaim's greatness was the regard in which he was held even as youngster.

"When he was still young," said Rav Petaya, "even the elders accepted his authority."

When the great Rav Abdallah Somech, for example, was presented with difficult halachic issues, he would send a note to Rav Yosef Chaim asking for his opinion.

The Ben Ish Chai also corresponded in halacha with the leading sages of Jewish communities throughout the world, including those of European origin.

His halachic work Rav Pe'alim contains a wide range of customs handed down by Ashkenazic sages, among them the Vilna Gaon, the Chasam Sofer, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and even the Baal Shem Tov.

A UNIQUE CHILD

The Ben Ish Chai was born in 1832/5592, in Baghdad, Iraq, and descended from an illustrious line of Torah sages. His grandfather, Rav Moshe Chaim, was a great sage who served as rav of Baghdad. In this capacity, he raised the spiritual level of Iraq's Jews.

The Ben Ish Chai's father, Rav Eliyahu, was also a highly regarded talmid chacham. Upon Rav Moshe's petira, Rav Eliyahu succeeded him as rav and maggid of Baghdad.

Rav Eliyahu and his wife were childless for many years. Finally, 10 years after their marriage, his wife made the long journey from Baghdad to Morocco to request a blessing from the renowned Rav Yaakov buchatzeira, the Abir Yaakov.

The tzaddik blessed her that she would give birth to a child who would one day illuminate the eyes of Jews everywhere. Less than a year later, she gave birth to a boy, who was named Yosef Chaim.

Yosef Chaim's talents were evident from a young age. As a child, he spent most of his time studying in his father's large library. At the age of 10, he left the Sephardic cheder in which he learned and began to study with his uncle, the tzaddik Rav David Chai Nissim. Rav David later founded the famed Shoshanim LeDavid Yeshiva located in the Beis Yisroel section of Yerushalayim.

One day, when Yosef Chaim returned home from his studies, he was playing with his sister and he fell into the well. His frightened sister ran upstairs, screaming, "Yosef Chaim has drowned."

All of the neighbors ran to the courtyard to see what had happened, while Yosef Chaim's mother stood off to the side, weeping.

One of the neighbors brought a thick rope and then a volunteer descended into the well and pulled out Yosef Chaim's listless body.

Another neighbor administered first aid, and a doctor was summoned. When the doctor saw the unconscious Yosef Chaim, his expression turned grave. He told Yosef Chaim's parents that their son's chances for survival were slim.

Yosef Chaim was brought upstairs, and his father recited Tehillim at his bedside. Suddenly, Yosef Chaim let out a cry. The doctor looked at him in disbelief and declared that a miracle had taken place and that Yosef Chaim would live.

"Yosef Chaim is alive. Yosef Chaim is alive," everyone called out with joy.

Yosef Chaim fell back asleep. When he awoke the following morning, he didn't remember the incident. After serving him a hot drink, his mother told him about the miracle that had occurred.

Despite his great weakness, Yosef Chaim cried out, "I promise that from now on I will dedicate my entire life to Torah study and avodas Hashem."

Everyone was astounded by the child's vow, and a vigorous "Amen" resounded through the room.

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON

As soon as he had fully recovered, Yosef Chaim began to fulfill his vow, forgoing all childish games, sleeping less and spending most of his time engrossed in his studies with his uncle.

At first, his parents feared for his health. But when they saw that this rigorous schedule and his conduct did not harm him, they permitted him to continue.

A few years later, Yosef Chaim's father received a halachic question about Esrogim from the chachamim of Yerushalayim, but he was occupied with other matters and could not answer the question immediately. Yosef Chaim, who was 14 at the time, decided to answer the question on his own and sent the chachamim a reply.

When Yerushalayim's sages received Yosef Chaim's answer, they were very impressed by its clarity. A number of days later, they received another letter, this time from Rav Eliyahu himself, who hadn't known that his son had already answered the letter. To the great surprise of Yerushalayim's sages, the two responses were exactly the same.

They responded by sending a letter to Rav Eliyahu, in which they explained what had happened and praised his son's abilities.

"Blessed are you for having fathered such a son," they wrote. "Blessed are you for having raised him. 'A wise son gladdens his father.'"

When Rav Eliyahu was niftar, Rav Yosef Chaim - just 25 year old - succeeded him as rav of Baghdad. He soon acquired the respect of all members of the community, who faithfully abided by his rulings.

STIRRING DRASHOS

Rav Yosef Chaim was renowned for his unique drashos and shiurim. Every morning for nearly 50 years - except for a seven-year period during which he went into seclusion - he delivered a drasha and shiur in halacha and aggada.

This shiur became the basis of his works Ben Yehoyada and Mekabtziel, which also include many of the Arizal's insights.

Every Shabbos he delivered a three-hour drasha in the Tsallat L'ziri Shul, or Small Synagogue, of Baghdad. This drasha was attended by a diverse audience of Torah scholars, laborers, women and children. The lectures were so fascinating that even the children remained transfixed throughout their duration. Rav Yosef Chaim based these lectures on the parsha and interspersed aggada and halachos that he felt the people should know.

Four times a year, he would deliver a Shabbos lecture in the Tsallat Lechbri Shul, or Large Synagogue. According to tradition, this shul was built at the beginning of the Babylonian exile by Yehoyachin, king of Yehuda, with earth that had been brought from Eretz Yisroel.

When Rav Yosef Chaim delivered these lectures, the shul, which contained 10,000 seats, was filled to capacity. Rav Yosef Chaim would don white attire and a tallis, creating a very ascetic and angelic appearance.

During the drashos, Rav Yosef Chaim's voice was so powerful that he could be heard outside the synagogue. His son, Rav Yaakov, described this ability as a "superhuman feat."

"Apparently, the Shechina issued from his throat at such times," he said.

These special drashos were the basis of his monumental Ben Ish Chai, which is considered the Sephardic Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.

Many youngsters, who later became outstanding Torah sages, attended these lectures and testified that they had a profound impact on their lives.

Among them was the great Rav Salman Mutzafi. Writing in Olamo Shel Tzaddik, Rav Benzion Mutzafi, Rav Salman's son, says: "Every Shabbos my father would accompany my grandfather to shul to hear Rav Yosef Chaim's drasha. When the drasha ended, masses of people would form long lines and wait to kiss Rav Yosef Chaim's hand and to receive his brachos.

"My father, who was still very young at that time, would clutch my grandfather's cloak and join that line. When his turn arrived, he would kiss Rav Yosef Chaim's hand. With a pleasant simile, Rav Yosef Chaim would place his hand on my father's head and say, 'May you merit to grow great in Torah.'

"This bracha would strengthen my father's resolve to study with great hasmada. Throughout the week he would eagerly wait for Shabbos, when he would once again receive such a bracha. During my father's later years, he would excitedly and longingly recall those weekly visits."

One of the highlights of the year for Bagdad's Jews was Rav Yosef Chaim's Purim drasha, in which he would explain the entire Megilla. During this drasha he would inspire the audience to fulfill all of the mitzvos of the day. While personally maintaining a serious mood, he would inspire a merry one among the members of the audience. After the drasha, a large crowd of beggars would surround him, and he would give each one generous matanos le'evyonim.

KEDUSHA AND TAHARA

Rav Yosef Chaim was known for his outstanding piety. During the day, he secluded himself in a special room, where he studied all aspects of the Torah: Shas, halacha, aggada and kabbala.

At midnight, he arose to recite Tikun Chatzos, and then he davened Shacharis in the vasikin minyan. He fasted the entire day for six consecutive years, breaking his fast only at night. He also built a mikveh in his home so that he could immerse himself whenever necessary.

Fearing overindulgence, he refused to eat fresh fruit during the summer.

However, on Rosh Hashana, when the watermelon season was about to end, he tasted that fruit and recited the Shehechiyanu blessing.

Every motza'ei Shabbos, he secluded himself in his attic to learn. It is said that Eliyahu Hanavi appeared to him at these times.

GREATNESS AND HUMILITY MEET

Although Rav Yosef Chaim was Iraqi Jewry's uncontested spiritual leader, he did not hesitate to reach out to simple people. He warmly greeted everyone who approached him, and his home was a central address for the needy and unfortunate. His family was famed for their hospitality, and he would personally attend to the needs of his many guests.

Among those who sought his counsel were people in search of a tikun for their sins. Rav Yosef Chaim would offer them guidance and reassure them that that their teshuva would be accepted. In addition, he wrote a special treatise called Leshon Chachamim, which contains prayers and tikunim for those looking to rectify their souls. He never advised such people to fast, but only to pray, thus enabling them to do genuine teshuva without breaking their spirits.

MASTERY OF THE REVEALED TORAH

Rav Yosef Chaim was proficient not only in the entire revealed Torah, but also in kabbala. His kabbalistic writings are assembled in his work Daat u'Tevuna; in his pamphlet series, Sod Yesharim; and in Benayahu, his monumental work on the Zohar.

Despite his vast understanding and knowledge of kabbala, he constantly warned that kabbalistic studies may only be pursued by those who are thoroughly versed in the Talmud.

Once, a group of young scholars in Baghdad founded a yeshiva where they studied kabbala one hour a day. Rav Yosef Chaim visited the yeshiva and discovered that they had misinterpreted some passages. After pointing out their errors, he ordered them to disband their study group. He then taught them privately and, one year later, allowed them to resume their study of kabbala.

SEVEN YEARS OF SECLUSION

In 1882, Rav Yosef Chaim suffered a number of personal tragedies. On the 9th of Shevat of that year, three of his bothers were unjustly imprisoned. Rav Yosef Chaim's mother, unable to bear the shame and the pain, fell ill as a result and soon passed away. The brothers remained in prison for three years until their innocence was proven.

These events deeply affected Rav Yosef Chaim, who did not leave his home for the next seven years, foregoing even his drashos. He also fasted every day and spent most of his time studying kabbala.

When the seven years ended, he once more resumed his drashos, to the great joy of the community.

LOVE FOR ERETZ YISROEL

Rav Yosef Chaim was deeply attached to Eretz Yisroel and placed a large stone from Eretz Yisroel at the entrance of the synagogue where he delivered his drashos. He had all of his seforim printed in Eretz Yisroel so that he could support its yishuv. He also influenced one of Baghdad's wealthiest Jews to donate the land on which the Porat Yosef Yeshiva, which played a major role in the revitalization of Sephardi Jewry, was built.

In 1869 he visited Eretz Yisroel, where he prayed at the graves of the tzaddikim and visited a number of kabbalists. He was offered the position of Rishon Le'Tziyon, but declined it. On Lag B'omer he went to Meron to daven at the Tziyon of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai. It was there that he composed the famous song "Ve'amartem Koi L'choi Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai".

HIS WRITINGS

Rav Yosef Chaim was a prolific writer.

"An aroma of purity and sanctity pervades these works," said the Ridbaz, of Rav Yosef Chaim's writings. "This is immediately evident to all who merely glance at them."

Rav Yosef Chaim's writings included scholarly works, as well as works geared toward the general public, including stories, parables, and even riddles.

One of his purposes in writing for the masses was to draw them away from secular literature, which was becoming increasingly popular at that time.

His main works are Aderet Eliyahu, Ben Ish Chai, Benayahu, Ben Yehoyada, Daat U'Tevuna, Even Shlomo, Imrei Bina, Leshon Chachamim, Mashal Ve'nimshal, Nifla'im Maasecha, Od Yosef Chai, Orach Chaim, Rav Berachot, Rav Pe'alim, Shuvi Hashulamit, Tikun Tefila and Torah Lishma. Many of his manuscripts, however, were never printed, and a number were left in Baghdad.

HIS PETIRA

On Sunday, 5 Elul, 5569/1909, Rav Yosef Chaim visited Yechezkel Hanavi's grave in the village of Kafil, where he spent a full week praying and preparing himself for the upcoming Rosh Hashana.

He spent Shabbos in the village of Getz, where he addressed its Jews and encouraged them to do complete teshuva.

On Motza'ei Shabbos, he suddenly fell ill and on Sunday evening, the 13th of Elul, he returned his pure soul to its Maker.

When his students heard the news, they were heartbroken. After transferring his body to the nearby city of Handya, they wired the chachamim of Baghdad, saying, "Yosef is gone."

The bitter news spread throughout Iraq like wildfire, and a heavy pall of mourning descended on all of its Jewish communities. Baghdad's chachamim streamed to Handya to arrange for the transfer of the casket to Baghdad. The casket was accompanied from Handya to Baghdad by a special entourage arranged by the local pasha. Thousands of Jews joined that procession.

On the way to the cemetery, the procession stopped in a valley near the Tigris River where a tearful hesped was delivered by the great Iraqi sage Rav Moshe Shamesh. This hesped lasted for four hours. In Baghdad, the levaya was attended by 150,00 people. The actual burial took place on the 15th of Elul.

When news of the petira reached Yerushalayim, the Rishon Le'Tziyon, Rav Eliyahu Moshe Fanizel, ran to inform the city's sages of the occurrence. When Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld and Rav Shmuel Salant heard the news, they tore their clothing, as one does for one's rav muvhak.

Every day during shiva another gaon delivered a hesped on Rav Yosef Chaim.

The great Mekubal Rav Shimon Ahron Agassi said that it was revealed to him that Rav Yosef Chaim's soul was rooted in the soul of Yosef Hatzadik.

Therefore, he had to be transported from the city he was nifter into the place of his burial, just as Yosef Hatzadik. (Other similarities were found such as being saved from a well.)

Rav Yosef Chaim's son, Rav Yaakov, succeeded him as rav and maggid of Baghdad.

Today, Rav Yosef Chaim lives on in his illustrious works. Od Yosef Chai!