Saved by Psalms: A Baghdad Merchant's Miraculous Escape

A true story from Baghdad of a century ago: how the daily recital of Psalms by a humble Jewish merchant saved him from a deadly plot, thanks to the intervention of the great Torah sage Rabbi Yosef Chaim, author of Ben Ish Chai, a widely studied work of halachah (Jewish law) and ethics.

A Story from Old Baghdad: Torah, Integrity, and Salvation

At that time of this story, Baghdad had several bustling markets: “Shuk al-Samak” (the fish market), “Shuk al-Safafir” (the coppersmiths’ and household goods market), and “Shuk al-Kharaj,” the fabric market.

In the middle of the fabric market was the shop of a Jewish merchant named Rabbi Avraham, who was known for his honesty and integrity.

Rabbi Avraham’s Daily Routine of Prayer and Study

Every morning, after Shacharit (the morning prayers), Rabbi Avraham would sit in the synagogue and read the entire book of Tehillim (Psalms). Only afterward would he go home for a simple morning meal and then head to the market, arriving late compared to other merchants.

Despite his late arrival, Arab merchants respected his honesty and the quality of his goods. They eagerly waited to buy fine fabrics from him, especially silk, which was unmatched in quality.

In Baghdad’s markets, it was the custom, when agreeing on a price, that the Muslim tradesmen would shake hands and say “Sharaf Muhammad,” meaning “in honor of Muhammad,” their prophet. This phrase served as a solemn oath that finalized the deal, making it forbidden for either buyer or seller to back out.

A Suspicious Young Merchant

Rabbi Avraham, however, did not want to utter words praising Muhammad and so he deliberately mispronounced the phrase, instead saying “Yisraf Muhammad” rather than “Sharaf Muhammad.”

The Arab merchants who heard this thought he simply mispronounced “Sharaf” and paid no attention to it.

But one day, a young Arab merchant became suspicious that something was off. After completing his transaction with Rabbi Avraham, he approached a young Jewish man standing nearby in the market.

“Tell me,” he said, “in your language, what does ‘Yisraf’ mean?”

The young Jew innocently replied, “Yisraf means yuhariq,” which in Arabic means “he will be burned.”

Hearing this, the young Arab merchant was outraged. He immediately went to the governor’s office to report it.

The Accusation Before the Governor

After waiting several hours, he was granted an audience with the governor.

“Your Excellency, there is a prominent Jewish merchant in our fabric market from whom all the Arabs buy their cloth. When finalizing a deal, instead of saying ‘Sharaf Muhammad,’ he says ‘Yisraf Muhammad,’ which I have verified means cursing our prophet, saying he should be burned. He is mocking us and our faith. If it pleases you, issue an order to execute him at once!”

The governor thanked the young merchant for bringing such a “serious matter” to his attention. However, he explained that he wanted to investigate carefully before acting.

He recorded Rabbi Avraham’s name and address, and dismissed the merchant.

All this occurred during the month of Elul, a time of spiritual preparation before the High Holidays.

A Stranger in the Night

That night, Rabbi Yosef Chaim returned home from the synagogue, accompanied by several Jews who often walked with him to ask questions on Torah and halachah.

Among them was one man they did not recognize. His hair was reddish, and his face shone with light.

This stranger turned to Rabbi Yosef Chaim and asked, in Arabic, “Hacham (wise one), what does the word ‘Yisraf’ mean?”

Rabbi Yosef Chaim replied, “‘Yisraf’ means ‘yuhariq’—he will be burned.”

But the stranger corrected him: “No, hacham! ‘Yisraf’ means yinhar!” (meaning “he will shine” or “he will illuminate”).

Rabbi Yosef Chaim fell silent.

A few minutes later, the stranger asked again, “Hacham, what does ‘Yisraf’ mean?”

Rabbi Yosef Chaim repeated, “It means ‘yuhariq.’”

Again, the stranger insisted: “No, hacham! ‘Yisraf’ means yinhar! Yinhar!”

Before they parted ways, the stranger said once more, “Hacham! Please don’t forget: Yisraf means yinhar! Yinhar!”

Rabbi Yosef Chaim was puzzled but remembered the words carefully.

The Governor Arrives at Dawn

Before dawn, Rabbi Yosef Chaim awoke to go to the synagogue for Selichot (the penitential prayers said during the month of Elul).

To his surprise, a grand carriage was waiting at his door. Out stepped the governor himself.

Rabbi Yosef Chaim hurried over and asked, “Your Excellency, what urgent matter brings you here so early?”

The governor replied, “Rabbi, I wish to discuss something with you. But first, tell me: in your Jewish language, what does ‘Yisraf’ mean?”

Rabbi Yosef Chaim instantly recalled the stranger’s words from the night before and replied, “‘Yisraf’ means yinhar—that he should shine brightly like daylight!”

The governor thanked him warmly.

“Know, hacham, that a young Arab tried to slander the Jewish merchant Avraham from the fabric market, accusing him of cursing our prophet. But now I see it was a false accusation. Today I will have that slanderer executed!”

And so it was. The governor ordered the young Arab merchant to be hanged that very day.

Rabbi Yosef Chaim Explains the Miracle

When Rabbi Yosef Chaim arrived at the synagogue, he called Rabbi Avraham over.

“Know this,” he told him, “it is in the merit of the Tehillim you recite every day that you were saved. The figure who visited me last night was none other than King David himself, the author of the book of Psalms, who came to save your life. Take great care to guard your soul from now on!”

As related by Rabbi Aviel Chaim Khoury