Community Magazine September 2011

How can I repay Gd for all His benevolence toward me? In His great kindness and mercy, I was found worthy of standing in the divine courtyard and serving a large community, of speaking words of Torah and morality and fear [of Gd] and halacha on the four special Shabbatot every year. I delivered a derashah in the presence of a large audience that would befit a king – on Shabbat Shuvah, Shabbat Zachor, Shabbat HaGadol and Shabbat Kallah. I stood in the same place where my holy fathers stood before me to address the community, as is the Jewish custom observed throughout the world, instituted by Moshe Rabbenu, that the rabbis address the public regarding the laws of the holidays on the holidays, the laws of Pesah on Pesah and the laws of Shavuot on Shavuot. Although I know that I, myself, am not worthy of this, the merits of my fathers have earned me this honor, may their souls enjoy eternal life. From Baghdad to Jerusalem In addition to his profound impact upon his community and upon the world of halachic scholarship, the Ben Ish Hai was also instrumental in the creation of what quickly became one of the most illustrious religious institutions in the world – Yeshivat Porat Yosef in Jerusalem. The generous philanthropist Yosef Avraham Shalom of Calcutta, India contacted Hacham Yosef Haim in the late 1800’s expressing interest in creating a hospital to meet the needs of the Jewish community in Jerusalem. The hacham responded, “Others besides you can take care of physical health. I do not, however, see too many people concerned with spiritual wellbeing. Therefore, my suggestion is that you establish a yeshiva that is a healing station for all ailments of the soul…” The Ben Ish Hai lovingly encouraged Mr. Shalom to commit to funding this project, which would inspire others to donate, as well. HachamYosef Haim remained intimately involved in this project throughout its inception, guidingMr. Shalom in development of this institution. It was he who chose the site of the new yeshiva, writing, “Surely a synagogue or study hall built closer to the Temple Mount is superior and holier, since it is closer to the gateway to heaven. This is especially true if the worshippers within it can see from its windows the ground of the site where Bet Hamikdash stood. This is superior to all! Fortunate is the one who is privileged to pray in such a synagogue and to study in such a house!” (p.66-67). Yeshivat Porat Yosef produced numerous Torah giants who emerged as the primary sources of religious guidance and inspiration for the Sephardic world, including our very own Hacham Baruch Ben-Haim z.s.l . as well as, sheyibadel lehaim the leader of Sephardic Jewry today, Hacham Ovadia Yosef shelita . The realization of Hacham Yosef Haim’s vision and dream of a Yeshiva facing the Western Wall continues to this day, as the institution consistently produces scholars and rabbis that serve Sephardic communities around the world. A Messenger for Sephardic Heritage In his introduction to the book Azoulay writes: It is difficult, or perhaps even impossible, to properly assess Hacham Yosef Haim’s impact upon Iraqi Jewry and the Torah world generally. He was an extraordinary gaon (genius) in all areas of Torah, writing dozens of sefarim (books) that cover topics spanning the spectrum of Talmudic and halachic literature. His halachic rulings were unequivocally accepted by many segments of Sephardic Jewry… They rapidly spread and were enthusiastically received throughout the Jewish world, and they are studied and analyzed in all circles of Torah scholarship even today. This extensive biography of a pious, righteous sage, to be published this month, is one of the many projects that Azoulay has undertaken to ensure the proliferation of Sephardic history,. “I am a shaliah (messenger) for this missva ,” Azoulay recently said. “I just want to educate and create awareness for our community.” Currently studying for his Masters degree in Jewish Education in his spare time from teaching and learning Torah, Azoulay has begun to compile a curriculum of Sephardic history to be taught in yeshivot and day schools around the world. To date, 20 schools have chosen to integrate the curriculum into their existing program, and 20 more have expressed interest in the material. “It is my hope to create for Sephardic Jews everywhere a pride in their heritage and an intensified faith in Hashem and His Torah.” In addition to his writing, Azoulay has developed two websites dedicated to the needs of the Sephardic community. SephardicLegacy.com is a website aimed at “enabling us Sephardic Jews to preserve our Sephardic heritage, tradition and culture for the future generations to come” and “ensuring that the history, legacies and traditions of the great Sephardic communities throughout the world be recorded and remembered as an integral part of our rich heritage for generations to come.” His second website, SephardicBookstore.com, offers for sale a wide array of books of Sephardic interest, all from one portal. From Rabbi Sutton’s seminal work, Aleppo – City of Scholars , to Aromas of Allepo , Poopa Dweck’s world famous cookbook and the Sephardic Children’s Hagadah by Rabbi Ellis Safdeye , the site features a wide array of titles including siddurim , mahzorim , books on mussar , and of course, biographies about Sephardic luminaries. SephardicBookstore.com ensures that today’s students will not experience Azoulay’s frustration as a young man, when he could not find books relevant to his heritage. From our past, our present emerges. If we are not aware of our history, we cannot develop and sustain tradition and cultural pride. “Throughout history Sephardic communities have always produced world-class Torah scholars and sagacious leaders,” explains Jack Cohen, Executive Editor of Community Magazine . “But, for various reasons,thegreatnessofthesebrilliantluminariesremainedsomething of a local secret. The surge in quantity and quality of published works, including Yehuda Azoulay’s significant contributions, that recount the grandeur of the Sephardic communities of old, has brought about a renaissance of sorts in the Sephardic world.” Despite this “surge,” Yehuda Azoulay believes there is more that all of us can do. “We have to focus on where we come from in every aspect of our daily living, not only the food we eat, but rather as a way of life, culture, and, ultimately, a love for Torah. We cannot forget any aspect of our blessed and enriched heritage, minor or major.” And he passionately believes that we must bequeath to our children a comprehensive record of their roots. “Our current leaders – synagogue presidents, rabbis, educators, teachers and so on, have to be the guiding force for our children.” In a society where every ethnic group has a “pride parade,” we, too, must preserve this legacy for all the generations to come. And Azoulay’s latest book – like the ones that preceded it – is a significant contribution toward this effort. For more information about Sephardic Legacy Series – Institute for Preserving Sephardic Heritage, visit www.sephardiclegacy.com . For dedication and sponsorship opportunities, contact info@sephardiclegacy.com. 42 Community magazine