169. BEN ISH CHAI. RABBEINUYOSEF CHAIM OF BAGHDAD

Manuscript of a Drasha handwritten by the legendary Ben Ish Chai, Rabbeinu Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, dealing extensively with the prohibition of Chametz. The Ben Ish Chai would give a Derasha to the masses every Shabbat in the Beit Knesset Tzalat al Ziere, the smaller Beit Knesset with 1000 seats, and four times a year he would speak in the Great Synagogue Tzalat al Kabire to crowd of many thousands. One of these occasions was Shabbat Ha’Gadol, and these notes seemingly originate from one such Derasha. ™ Rabbeinu Yosef Chaim (1835 – 1909) was born in Baghdad, where his father, Chacham Eliyahu Chaim, was an active leader of the Jewish community. His extraordinary talents were evident from a young age. He initially studied in his father’s library, and at the age of 10, he began to study with his uncle, Rav David Chai Ben Meir, who later founded the Shoshanim L’David Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Upon the passing of Chacham Eliyahu Chaim, the Jews of Baghdad accepted the Ben Ish Chai to fill his father’s place as the leading rabbinic scholar of Baghdad, despite the fact that he was only twenty five at the time. He was widely accepted as a great authority on Jewish law throughout the Middle East, and his decisions were considered to be authoritative even outside Sephardic communities. Acknowledged as a leading Chacham and a great Kabbalist, he was greatly revered by Sephardim and Ashkenazim, scholars and laymen alike. A prolific writer, he authored over thirty works, among them his most famous work, Ben Ish Chai as well as halachic responsa Rav Pe’alim. His Ben Yehoyada and Benayahu, a commentary on the Talmud, is considered a basic resource in understanding the Aggada. 4 pages, 7 handwritten sides. Excellent condition 13.5 x 10cm. Fine leather binding. Manuscript Derasha from one the greatest and most revered Sephardic greats.

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