Illuminating the Legacy of Or HaChaim

Watch Rabbi Emanuel Mizrachi's lecture featuring Rabbi Chaim ben Attar:

In 1742, Rabbi Chaim journeyed to the Land of Israel. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, he founded the "Knesset Yisrael" Yeshiva, attracting some of the greatest scholars of the time, including Rabbi Yonah Navon, the author of "Nachalat Binyamin," and Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azula, known as Chida, who wrote about his days studying in Rabbi Chaim's yeshiva: "I was privileged to study in his esteemed yeshiva, witnessing his tremendous Torah brilliance, his holiness that was extraordinary, and his Torah insights, which amazed even the most learned of our generation."

In addition to his commentary "Or HaChaim" on the Torah, Rabbi Chaim authored several other works: "Pri Toar," innovative insights on the "Yoreh De'ah" section of Shulchan Aruch, systematically addressing and often debating with the author of "Pri Chadash", striving to reconcile the opinions of earlier authorities who differed. "Cheifetz HaShem," commentary on Tractates Berachot, Shabbat, Horayot, and Chullin. "Rishon LeTzion," covering insights on Berachot, Sukkah, Beitzah, Ta'anit, Megillah, Moed Katan, Chagigah, interpretations on Shulchan Aruch, the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah, and exegesis on the Prophets and Writings.

Rabbi Chaim passed away in 1743 at the age of 47, and his burial site is famously located on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Temple Mount.

About the book: The "Or HaChaim" commentary on the Torah by Rabbi Chaim ben Attar is one of the most studied and renowned texts, standing alongside classical commentaries such as Rashi, Ibn Ezra, and Ramban.

Rabbi Chaim's "grains of wisdom" are expressed weekly in the "Or HaChaim" commentary, covering straightforward interpretation, allegorical insights, hints, and mystical secrets, similar to the style of Rabbi Isaac Arama's "Akedat Yitzchak" and Rabbi Isaac Abarbanel’s commentaries, who begin by posing questions that serve as the foundation for their interpretations.

Rabbi Chaim explains why he named his Torah commentary "Or HaChaim": "For the Torah is called light... since there are many things associated with the term 'light' such as candlelight, sunlight, and moonlight and the stars, that is why I distinguished it as 'Or HaChaim', a name associated with the Creator, who is called 'Life'... and the Torah which is called 'Life'... and the righteous who are called 'Life'."

Watch the "Stories of the Righteous" program about "Or HaChaim":

The primary substance of his commentary was crafted while still in Morocco, with his many sermons to the residents of Salé serving as its foundation. His commentary contains interpretations dealing with the plain meaning of the text, allegorical hints, and ethical insights likely presented to the common folk, alongside deep Kabbalistic teachings and elaborate interpretations likely shared with the scholarly students of his city.

The innovations in "Or HaChaim" weren't penned in a single sitting, as Rabbi Chaim often revisited them; when additional sources supporting or shedding new light on his interpretations came to his attention, he amended his commentaries, noting, "I have come across a certain text," or "I later found it stated in the Mekhilta," thus enhancing the original insight with supplementary explanations.

The "Or HaChaim" commentary and its author have been revered by all Torah scholars, especially by the Chassidic movement—its founders, leaders, and followers throughout generations—who established group study sessions on every Shabbat night.