Our Great Sephardic Rabbis by: Ike Sultan
Yaakov Chaim Sofer (1870-1939) was a Rabbi, Kabbalist, Talmudist and posek ("decider of Torah law"). Rav Yaakov Chaim was author of the work of halakha titled Kaf hachaim, by which title he is also known. Rav Yaakov Chaim was born in Baghdad and studied there under great Sephardi sages such as Rabbi Yosef Chaim ("the Ben Ish Chai") and Rabbi Abdallah Somech. In 1904, he journeyed to Israel, in order to pray at the graves of tzaddikim. After visiting Jerusalem, he decided to settle there permanently. He studied in the Bet El yeshiva in the old city of Jerusalem, well-known for the study of kabbalah; and in 1909, he moved to the newly founded Shoshanim leDavid yeshiva. It was there that he composed his works. Rav Yaakov Chaim authored several works of halakha as well as aggadah. His books are known for discussing the original traditions of Iraqi Jews and are studied to this day. Rav Yaakov Chaim was well-known for his role in working on behalf of Torah education in Jerusalem. His great grandson founded two yeshivot in his memory: Kaf Hachaim and Torat Yaakov.
When Rav Yaakov Chaim finally completed the first volume of Kaf Hachaim, he was unable to cover the cost of its printing. Friends suggested that he go to Egypt in order to solicit the necessary funds. Rav Yaakov Chaim, who was deeply attached to Eretz Hakodesh, felt that he could not take such a step. However, when he saw that he had no other option, he agreed to go. With a heavy heart and a prayer on his lips that he return home quickly, he boarded a train to Egypt. At Alexandria's railroad station, he encountered Yosef Samocha, one of the wealthiest Jews of that time. After ascertaining Rav Yaakov Chaim's reason for coming to Egypt, Yosef Samocha gave him 200 lirot, precisely the sum Rav Yaakov Chaim needed in order to print the first volume. Seeing that his mission had succeeded, Rav Yaakov Chaim wasted no time and immediately boarded the first train back to Yerushalayim. His acquaintances in Yerushalayim were surprised by his rapid return. When he told them about his siyatta d'Shmaya in securing the funds for the first volume, they responded that he should have remained in Egypt a few more days in order to recruit money for the printing of the remaining volumes. He countered that he was unwilling to remain in Chutz La'aretz even a minute longer than necessary.
No comments:
Post a Comment