Who Was the Baba Sali? Life, Miracles, and Legacy of Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzeira

Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzeira, known as “the Baba Sali,” was born in 1890 (Hebrew year 5650) in Morocco and passed away in 1984 (Hebrew year 5744) in Israel. He was buried in Netivot, where thousands still visit his grave every year — especially on his yahrzeit, the 4th of Shevat.

Family Lineage and Background

His father was Rabbi Mas’ud Abuchatzeira, the eldest son of Rabbi Yaakov Abuchatzeira, author of Avir Yaakov. His mother was Rabbanit Aisha.

The Abuchatzeira family is one of the most famous rabbinic dynasties in Jewish history, known especially for its miracle workers and kabbalistic masters.

The Baba Sali was the brother of:

• Rabbi David Abuchatzeira

• Rabbi Yitzchak Abuchatzeira (“Baba Chaki”)

The name “Baba Sali” means “the praying father”.

A Childhood Marked by Extraordinary Holiness

From early childhood, his character stood out as unique. He dedicated himself to Torah study for 18 hours a day according to tradition. Stories tell that he would sometimes forget to eat, regularly fasted on weekdays, and refrained from eating meat or fish except on Shabbat and holidays.

In addition to Torah study, he learned:

• Scribal arts (STaM)

• Ritual slaughter

• Circumcision

• And later, Kabbalah — primarily the teachings of the Ari (Rabbi Isaac Luria)

Marriage and Children

At age 13, the Baba Sali married his first wife, Percha, the daughter of his sister. She passed away young, but gave birth to three children:

• Meir

• Sarah

• Machsi

Three years after his first marriage, Rabbi Yisrael married Miriam (née Amsellem). They had four children:

• Avigail

• Baruch (later known as “Baba Baruch”)

• Penina

• Aliza

Leadership in Morocco

At just 18 years old, after his father passed away, Rabbi Yisrael succeeded him as head of the local yeshiva in Morocco, Avir Yaakov. He held this role for 13 years.

At age 30, he became the chief rabbi of the Tafilalt region in Morocco.

Journeys to the Land of Israel

In 1922, the Baba Sali immigrated to Israel for a year, studying in the renowned kabbalistic yeshiva Beit El in Jerusalem. He later returned to Morocco.

During those years, Jews suffered severe persecution. His wife and his son Meir were even imprisoned due to false accusations.

He returned to Israel again, lived in Tiberias and other Galilee towns, studied at the Porat Yosef Yeshiva in Jerusalem — but once again returned to Morocco to strengthen the spiritually struggling Jewish communities.

In total, he came to Israel three times before finally settling there.

Final Aliyah and Rise to National Prominence

In 1970, the family immigrated permanently to Israel and settled in Netivot. Very quickly, the Baba Sali’s home became a pilgrimage site for thousands — especially among Moroccan Jews, but ultimately from all backgrounds.

He became renowned for his miracles and answered prayers, especially for:

• Healing the sick

• Blessing couples with children

• Providing salvation during times of trouble

He often distributed:

• Amulets (kame’ot) written by authorized rabbis

• Bottles of water or arak that he had blessed

• Personal blessings

Over the years — during his life and afterward, numerous books were published documenting the miracles attributed to him.

In many homes, especially those of Sephardic descent, his iconic photograph still hangs on the wall, showing him with his hands raised in parallel before him.

Later Life and Passing

After his wife Miriam passed away, Rabbi Yisrael married Rabbanit Simi at age 65 — known today as “Lalla Simi.” They had one daughter together, Esther.

One of the Baba Sali’s greatest disciples was Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu. A few years before his death, the Baba Sali gifted him two watches and said that Mashiach would come when the hands point to 12.

In 1983, his eldest son Meir passed away — he was expected to inherit his father’s mantle.

One year later, at age 94, with his health declining to the point that he permitted himself to break his lifelong abstention from eating meat, Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzeira passed away and was buried in Netivot.

Since then, an annual mass hillulah is held at the site, drawing thousands.

His Legacy Today

• His son Rabbi Baruch Abuchatzeira manages the center in Netivot

• Two grandsons continue his work:

  • Rabbi David Abuchatzeira (in Nahariya, north)

  • Rabbi Elazar Abuchatzeira (in Be’er Sheva, south)*

(*Note: Rabbi Elazar was later tragically killed in 2011.)

An estimated 250,000 visitors come to the Baba Sali’s gravesite in Netivot every year.