Remembering Chacham Salman Mutzafi: A Legacy of Devotion and Learning

Chacham Salman Mutzafi was born on the 27th of Shevat, 5660 (1900) in Baghdad, Iraq, to Chacham Tzion Meir Mutzafi, descending from a family of Torah scholars who arrived in Babylon following the Spanish Expulsion, originally bearing the surname Mousafia.

At the tender age of two, his father began bringing him to the synagogue, so his feet would grow accustomed to entering a house of study, instilling a sense of holiness and purity. This journey was further inspired by seeing the leading sages of the time, especially the illustrious Chacham Yosef Chaim, known as the 'Ben Ish Chai'.

As a child, every Shabbat, he would accompany his father to synagogue. Following the Ben Ish Chai's teachings, young Salman would push through the crowd to catch a glimpse of his holy face and kiss his hands. On one occasion, he was blessed by the Ben Ish Chai to "become great in Torah".

Chacham Salman Mutzafi Ztz''l

In Elul 5669 (1909), at just 9 years old, Chacham Salman attended the funeral of the respected Ben Ish Chai, unbeknownst to his parents. As the casket was lowered, Salman committed himself to dedicated Torah study and a life of piety and asceticism. His parents noticed their son's holy behavior and feared he might overburden himself. Nevertheless, Chacham Salman persisted in his spiritual endeavors.

To awaken at midnight for the Tikun Chatzot prayer and to study Torah until dawn, he tied a rope to his hand, attaching the other end to the door latch. When his father opened the door at midnight, his hand would be pulled, waking him. After a fortnight, his father discovered this and put a stop to it. However, Chacham Salman persisted, throwing the rope out his window and asking a friend to pull it at midnight.

At the age of 10, every Friday night, he would stand in the courtyard and recite the entire Book of Psalms by the light of the moon, careful not to disturb his family's sleep.

Chacham Salman studied at 'Beit Zalche' Yeshiva and quickly advanced to the highest study group led by his revered teacher, the Kabbalist Chacham Yehuda Fattaya.

At 17, in 1917, he completed the Talmud and the four turim. At that time, his teacher, Chacham Yehuda Fattaya, asked him to study a chapter from the Kabbalistic text "Etz Chaim" and present it next Shabbat. Salman felt too young for Kabbalah, but was encouraged to proceed. Over 25 years, until 1942, he studied both the revealed and hidden Torah with Chacham Yehuda Fattaya for 6 hours daily and learned Talmud and early commentators with Chacham Nissim Kaduri for 4 hours.

In addition to his studies, he was close to Chacham Yaakov Chaim, the son of the Ben Ish Chai, often assisting him.

In Elul 5678 (1918), at 18, he received certification for poultry slaughter. A year later, at 19, he was certified as a mohel by the city’s expert mohel, Chacham Eliyahu Benjamin. He performed his first circumcision that Nisan.

In 1920, at only 20, he received certification for rabbinical duties and beef slaughtering from seven leading judges and rabbis of Baghdad.

On the 15th of Elul, 5695 (1935), at 35, he emigrated with his family to Israel, settling in Jerusalem's Bukharan neighborhood.

In Elul 5702 (1942), at 42, he founded the 'Bnei Zion' Yeshiva near Rachel's Tomb, focusing on the secrets of Kabbalah and sacred Zohar. Following the outbreak of Israel's War of Independence, the yeshiva moved to Jerusalem's Makor Baruch neighborhood.

His sons, continuing his legacy, are the heads of 'Bnei Zion' Yeshiva, Rabbi Ben Zion Mutzafi, and 'Minchat Yehuda' Yeshiva, Rabbi Yehuda Mutzafi. His son-in-law is Rabbi David Batzri, head of 'Yeshivat Hashalom' and a leading Kabbalist today.

Chacham Salman Mutzafi Ztz''l

Chacham Salman was renowned for his pure fear of Hashem, never flattering anyone, relying solely on his hard work. He never wasted a moment on idle chatter, constantly engrossed in Torah study, even in his final days. Despite suffering from illness, he remained joyful, often telling his doctor, "Thank Hashem, I feel good". He was content with his lot, deeply committed to educating his children and revering Torah scholars.

He was particularly meticulous about Shabbat observance. Foods were prepared in advance, cooked thoroughly before Shabbat, and kept warm as per halacha. He abstained from using electricity generated by Jews on Shabbat. Dressed in white Shabbat clothes from midday, he devoted many hours studying at the synagogue until afternoon prayers. Chacham Salman cherished Shabbat, celebrating with joyous songs and Torah insights.

During Passover, he avoided outside food, planted his own wheat for matzah, and made his own oil and wine, trusting no certification. He shunned preserved or dried goods, ensuring all preparations were clean and careful.

He would rise at midnight, lament the Destruction and the Shechinah's exile, shedding many tears for people's suffering. Deeply loving all Jews, he sought none of Torah's prestige, living with minimal food and sleep, often fasting. Twice weekly, he studied with colleagues all night, valuing charity, morality, and kindness, being extraordinarily humble, and shying away from honor.

Chacham Salman prayed the Vasikin prayer with immense joy each day, rushing to synagogue, immersing rapidly even in old age. On weekdays, he rarely returned home, staying near the synagogue, never eating or drinking outside his house. He was cautious about honesty, paying workers promptly, and resolving any debts immediately. He meticulously handled charity and estate funds in his care, reviewing accounts and funds nightly.

Each year, he spent a week with his community visiting the graves of the righteous in Galilee, praying fervently for redemption and lamenting the non-Torah respecting authorities. He avoided power and government involvement, refusing even National Insurance after retirement despite raising ten children in hardship.

Chacham Salman was a lion in fulfilling mitzvot, pursuing the rare ones such as redeeming a first-born donkey, offerings to the priest, gleaning, forgotten sheaves, leaving corners, returning lost items, and sending away the mother bird. He was scrupulously exacting with tithes and carefully followed the rules of the sabbatical year.

Known for sincerity, he concealed his deeds with utmost modesty while deeply engaged in Kabbalah. He prayed according to the Rashash Siddur, focusing on mystical meditations for redemption. All his actions were private, opposing publicity or reward. He organized public atonements, including fasts, immersions in ice water with lashes, and rituals suited for saints.

Chacham Salman Mutzafi passed away on the 17th of Tevet, 5735 (1975), aged 74, and was buried in the Sephardic rabbinic section at Mount of Rest Cemetery in Jerusalem. May his merit protect us and all of Israel. Amen.

Chacham Salman Mutzafi Ztz''l