Chaim ibn Attar, also known as Or HaChaim, was a Moroccan Sephardi rabbi, Talmudist, and kabbalist born in Salé in 1696.
Revered for his Torah scholarship and holiness, he authored the famed Commentary on Chumash Or HaChaim, blending peshat, derash, remez, and sod, which gained wide esteem, including among early Hasidim.
After leading yeshivot in Morocco and Italy, he settled in Jerusalem in 1742, founding Yeshivat Knesset Yisrael, and died there in 1743.
Early Life in Morocco
Born: 1696, Salé, Morocco, into a distinguished Sephardic family of scholars.
He learned Torah from his grandfather, also named Chaim ben Attar, and quickly became known for exceptional piety and brilliance.
His youth was marked by persecution and instability, forcing his family to flee Salé for Meknes, where he continued his studies and learned the craft of jewelry-making.
Scholarship and Writings
Rabbi Chaim ben Attar became renowned for mastery of Talmud, Kabbalah, and biblical commentary.
His major works include:
Or HaChaim — his celebrated commentary on the Torah, blending peshat, derash, and deep mystical insights. First printed in Venice in 1742.
Hefetz Hashem — Talmudic dissertations (Amsterdam, 1732).
Peri To’ar — novellae on the Shulchan Aruch (Amsterdam, 1742).
Rishon LeZion — posthumously published notes on Tanach and Talmud (Constantinople, 1750).
His Torah commentary became so beloved—especially among Chassidim—that he himself came to be called “Or HaChaim HaKadosh”, “the Holy Light of Life.”
Reputation for Holiness
Contemporaries described him as living with saintly purity, often in states of spiritual ecstasy.
Rabbi Chida wrote: “His holiness was that of an Angel of the Eternal.”
Numerous stories tell of miracles, such as storms calming through his prayer, lions becoming docile, and even the sea rising to return a man’s lost money.
These accounts reflect how deeply people felt his spiritual power.
Leadership and Teaching
He served as Rosh Yeshiva in several Moroccan cities, including Fes and Salé. He refused to take money for teaching Torah, supporting himself as a goldsmith so that Torah would not become “a spade to dig with.”
Travels and Aliyah
Hardship and famine in Morocco pushed him to travel widely:
Algiers
Livorno, Italy — where he printed his works and gathered followers for aliyah.
In 1741, he set out for the Land of Israel with 30 students, arriving first in Acre. He visited holy sites throughout the Galilee and briefly lived in Peki’in.
Arrival in Jerusalem
In 1742, he reached Jerusalem and founded two yeshivot:
One for Nigleh (revealed Torah)
One for Nistar (mystical teachings)
His presence significantly strengthened the Jewish community, and his yeshiva became a center of spiritual life.
Passing and Legacy
Died: 15 Tammuz 5503 (July 7, 1743), at age 47.
Buried: Mount of Olives, Jerusalem.
His yahrzeit is still commemorated annually, and his writings remain foundational in yeshivot worldwide. Hasidic masters, including the Baal Shem Tov, revered him deeply and drew inspiration from his teachings.
Why His Influence Endures
The Or HaChaim HaKadosh’s legacy rests on:
A unique blend of rational analysis, mystical depth, and ethical sensitivity.
A life of holiness, humility, and devotion.
A commentary that continues to illuminate the Torah for scholars and laypeople alike.
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