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 ”  58 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE A New Book, an Ancient Tradition This month, the Lakewood, N.J.-based Israel Book Shop Publications (www.israelbookshoppublications. com) will begin distributing this seminal work which presents thorough portraits of twenty-five of the most prominent Sephardic Rabbinic figures of the last two centuries. A Legacy of Leaders is a collection of com- prehensive, biographical profiles arranged chronologi- cally, from Rav Haim Ben Atar through Rav Ben-Sion Abba Shaul. Each entry begins with an overview of the Rabbi’s life and achievements, and then presents a series of stories that offer a glimpse into his conduct and virtues, and the respect he received from the Jews he encountered – and, in many instances, the respect shown to him by gentiles as well. The book’s blurb describes these portraits as “the birthright of Sephar- adim” and “a heritage of greatness in Torah and mitz- vot.” The book is adorned with dozens of beautiful photographs of the Rabbis, as well as of numerous col- leagues and disciples. Mr. Moshe Kaufman, president of Israel Book Shop Publications, remarked that one of the unique features of this work is the way it instantly appeals to a variety of audiences. The writing style is straightforward such that even young children can read, enjoy and gain in- spiration from these accounts, yet the material is also intriguing for even the most educated and sophisticated adults. Mr. Kaufman also emphasized the instructive, didactic quality of this work. “Most of the stories chron- icled in the book are not only of the moftim (‘wonders’) type, but are rather beautiful, inspirational accounts that can inspire a reader to want to emulate the Hacham. Beyond simply describing the greatness of these tower- ing figures, it also provides concrete examples of their greatness in a manner with which even ordinary laymen can identify and from which they can learn.” He was Rav Haim Yosef David Azoulay (1724-1806), better known as the great Sephardic luminary, the Hid”a. But to Yehuda Azoulay, the great sage was also both a direct ancestor and the central subject of a lifelong fascination with Sephardic scholars of old. Anyone who has been exposed to the rich tradition of Sephardic Torah scholarship has undoubtedly come across household names such as the Or Ha’haim (Rav Haim Ben-Atar, 1696-1743), Rav Haim Palagi (1688-1788), the Kaf Ha’haim (Rabbi Yaakov Haim Sofer, 1870-1939) and the Ben Ish Hai (Rabbi Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909). Most of us have probably also heard of the more recent pillars of Sephardic halachah, such as Hacham Ben-Sion Abba Shaul of Jerusalem (1924-1998), Hacham Obadiah Hedaya (1890-1969) and Rav Shalom Messas (1913-2003). Kabbalistic masters such as the Baba Sali (Rav Yisrael Abuchatzera of Morocco, 1890-1984) and Rav Yitzchak Kaduri (1894-2006) have also left an indelible impact upon Sephardic tradition. But how much do we really know about these hachamim, about their qualities and virtues that made them into such great leaders and scholars? How do we ensure that their piety, devotion and diligence will continue to guide and inspire future generations of Jews? With these questions in mind, Yehuda Azoulay turned his passion for the history of Sephardic hachamim into a groundbreaking volume. Groundbreaking volume examines the lives of 25 legendary Sephardic Rabbis “He usually slept on a wooden bench, rather than a proper bed… adheredtoadailyquotaoffifty-threepagesofZohar…ateonlyveg- etarian foods during theweek…andwould impose aharsh fineon himself if he ever felt anger in his heart,” explains Yehuda Azoulay Sephardic Pride Hacham Ephraim Meneshe Hakohen Hacham Shalom Sharaby - Rashash Hacham Yisrael Abuhassera - Baba Sali Hacham Obadia Hedaya Hacham Yizhak Kadouri