The Ben Ish Chai: The Life, Miracles, and Hidden Greatness of Rabbi Yosef Chaim

Rabbi Yosef Chaim, known as the Ben Ish Chai, was a foremost disciple of Rabbi Abdallah Somech. His greatness was rooted in holiness from before his birth.

His Mother’s Mesirut Nefesh and the Blessing

His mother undertook a dangerous and exhausting journey from Iraq to distant Morocco in order to receive a blessing from the holy tzaddik Rabbi Yaakov Abuchatzeira. While waiting for the opportunity to receive his blessing, she devoted herself with complete selflessness to caring for the poor and the sick who were gathered there.

Rabbi Yaakov, seeing her tremendous kindness and self-sacrifice, blessed her: “You will merit a son who will illuminate the eyes of Israel with Torah.”

Saved from Death and a Lifetime Vow

At age seven, he fell into a deep pit and was in great danger. He was miraculously saved. From that day on, he took upon himself a solemn vow: to dedicate his entire life to Torah.

Connection to Benaiah ben Yehoyada

When he arrived in the Land of Israel, he went to pray at the grave of Benaiah ben Yehoyada. He felt an extraordinary sweetness in his prayer and understood that his own soul was rooted in that tzaddik’s spiritual lineage. Therefore, he named many of his works after the verse describing Benaiah:

“And Benaiah the son of Yehoyada, the son of a living man (ben ish chai), a great doer of deeds, from Kabze’el…”

This is the source of the title Ben Ish Chai, by which Rabbi Yosef Chaim became known throughout the Jewish world.

True Torah with True Derech Eretz (Respect)

The Ben Ish Chai himself tells the following story in his book Chassdei Avot, when explaining the Mishnah: “Beautiful is Torah study together with derech eretz.”

Two sages were compelled, out of respect, to attend a large festive meal hosted by a wealthy man. They suffered greatly, because:

• the atmosphere was frivolous and inappropriate for Torah scholars,

• they were forced to miss their regular learning schedule,

• and especially they would miss reciting Tikkun Chatzot, which they never neglected.

Yet, in order not to offend the host and cause a chillul Hashem, they attended.

The First Sage – Wisdom and Hidden Holiness

One sage behaved outwardly as if participating respectfully in the celebration. But in his heart, his mind never stopped learning Torah.

When midnight arrived — the time for Tikkun Chatzot, he leaned his head on his hand as if he were simply resting. In truth, he quietly recited the entire Tikkun Chatzot with inner tears and complete concentration. No one noticed, and he fulfilled his spiritual obligations without embarrassing the host.

The Second Sage – Holiness Without Tact

The second sage showed his displeasure openly from the beginning. His face revealed anger, and his movements showed that he could not bear the atmosphere.

When midnight arrived, he could no longer restrain himself. He sat on the floor, publicly, and recited Tikkun Chatzot in front of all the guests.

The reaction was immediate:

• The guests mocked Torah and its scholars.

• The host felt insulted and furious that the sage appeared to belittle his celebration.

Only when they remembered the respectful behavior of the first sage did their anger subside. They praised him for his pleasant and refined conduct.

The Ben Ish Chai Reveals the Hidden Lesson

Rabbi Yosef Chaim explains this story while commenting on the Mishnah: “Beautiful is Torah study together with derech eretz.”

He teaches:

• Sometimes a person must do something that in truth is required by Torah.

• Yet according to the norms of derech eretz, the act appears strange or offensive to people.

• A truly wise person will find a way to fulfill both Torah and derech eretz — “to satisfy Heaven and maintain proper conduct among people.”

With great humility, the Ben Ish Chai adds: the first sage in the story was himself. He hid his own righteousness so that the lesson, rather than his personal merit, would shine.