Remembering Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira: 10 Facts About His Life

1. Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira, known as 'Baba Elazar,' was born on January 19, 1948, in Rissani, Tafilalt Province, Morocco. He was the grandson of the renowned Baba Sali. On July 29, 2011, Rabbi Elazar was murdered in his home by someone seeking his advice.

2. Rabbi Elazar was named after Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The Abuhatzeira family recounts that prior to his birth, Baba Sali had a vision in which Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai complained about the absence of anyone named after his son, Rabbi Elazar. Baba Sali promised that the next grandchild born would carry that name.

At the time of the circumcision, Baba Sali recited the verse, 'Eye has not seen, O God, n besides You,' emphasizing that the initials of the word 'Elazar' form the words of this verse, highlighting the newborn's noble soul and the significance of his name.

3. From a young age, Rabbi Elazar was known for his rigorous observance of guarding his eyes. It is noted in holy texts that those who succeed in doing so can attain a phenomenal memory. Rabbi Elazar, apart from his vast knowledge of Torah, was reputed for having an extraordinary memory.

After the murder, Rabbi Baruch Rosenblum delivered a poignant lecture that should not be missed:

4. Although 'Baba Elazar' met with countless people in his home, few saw his face. His commitment to guarding his eyes was so great that he always kept his head bowed, and his body was enveloped in a black robe that covered much of his face. Despite the abundance his followers showered upon him, he never indulged in personal enjoyment and remained devoted to a life of asceticism.

5. His greatness in Torah, elevated righteousness, and holy personality brought salvation to thousands. The divine spirit that shone in his study was exemplary.

6. Innumerable stories exist about the power of his blessings and advice. One such miracle involved the wife of Rabbi Chaim Bitton, head of the 'Shaarei Yeshuah' study hall. After giving birth via Caesarean section, she fell into a coma due to anesthesia. Doctors believed she had no chance of recovery and did not properly close her incision.

Her husband urgently requested Rabbi Elazar's assistant to mention her name and invoke mercy for her and their eight children waiting at home.

The assistant asked Rebbetzin Abuhatzeira to communicate the patient's name to Rabbi Elazar. After an hour of prayers, he emerged from his room and instructed the rebbetzin to inform the assistant that 'the decree was annulled.' Miraculously, she regained consciousness that day and was able to eat on her own by evening.

7. Rabbi Elazar was detached from worldly distractions; he lived humbly and ascetically. For five years, he observed a personal fast from the end of Shabbat until its beginning the following week, abstaining from all food and drink, which caused his teeth to turn black. This practice mirrored that of Kabbalist Rabbi Shalom Sharabi.

8. Each day, Rabbi Elazar met hundreds of people, starting from 3 PM and continuing late into the night. He ensured no one left without a blessing, sometimes extending meetings until dawn.

9. Every morning, he immersed in a ritual bath at dawn to prepare for morning prayers, after which he returned to study, perform acts of kindness, give charity, and serve God until the next reception.

10. For seven consecutive years, he maintained a vow of silence, only speaking holy words and a few necessary phrases. This was evidence of his profound spiritual strength, which even those who cannot comprehend yet sought to help others with all his efforts.

Many wonder how a holy, saintly person like Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira, a spiritual father to thousands, could meet such a tragic fate. Rabbi Zamir Cohen offers insights and lessons from the murder: