Meorei Hamizrach - Rav Yisrael Abuchatzeira

Our Great Sephardic Rabbis by: Ike Sultan

Rav Yisrael Abuchatzeira, the great Moroccan tzaddik, was commonly known as the Baba Sali, or "Praying Father," because of his ability to work miracles with his prayers. 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. Rabbi Israel was married at the age of sixteen to Precha Amsalem, who served as a worthy soul-mate throughout their long marriage. Rabbi Israel 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. 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. Although he regularly gave many lectures in Torah and kabbala, he did not permit his students to write them down because he wanted his scholarship to remain unknown.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 Jewish community, worldwide.

The young man arrived at Rav Yisrael's home in Netivot in a wheelchair. He told Rav Yisrael his story: "I was injured by a bullet in my back during the Yom Kippur War. Although I underwent a series of operations, I am still a cripple and can't stand up. One of my legs is so bad that the doctors want to amputate it. A friend suggested that I visit the Rav, who is supposed to work wonders with his prayers. At first I refused. But in my despair, I decided to give it a try.""Do you put on tefillin every day?" Rav Yisrael asked."No.""Do you keep Shabbos?""No.""If such is the case, " Rav Yisrael replied, "you should be thankful that only one leg is in such a serious condition. We believe that Hashem gives us healthy limbs so that we may serve Him. Those who don't keep the mitzvos should regard their healthy limbs as gifts." At that, the young man burst into tears. Rav Yisrael looked him the eye and asked, "If I bless you that you will be able to stand, will you begin to observe the mitzvos?" "Yes," the young man eagerly replied. "Then give me your hand, and may you have a refua sheleima." After the young man kissed Rav Yisrael's hand, Rebbetzin Abuchatzeira toldhim to try and stand up. To his surprise, he was able to stand up immediately, and even take a number of steps without assistance.