Rabbi Chaim Pinto Hagadol 1749-1845
The Birth of Rabbi Chaim
In the city of Agadir, on Shabbat, parashat Pinchas, on the fifteenth of Tammuz, 1749 (5509), the entire house was illuminated with joy at the birth of a son, who was named Chaim. He became the famous gaon and mekubal, the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a.
However, Rabbi Shlomo did not merit seeing his son blossom into a Torah giant. When Chaim was merely twelve years old, Rabbi Shlomo departed to the Heavenly Yeshiva, on the first day of the month of the redemption, in Nissan, may his merit protect us.
In the Paths of Chaim
Many stories have been written about the wondrous tzaddik, the holy mekubal, Rabbi Chaim Pinto Hagadol, zy”a. Some of them appear in the well-known sefer Shevach Chaim, which was written in Arabic by Harav Makhluf Mazal Tarim, zt”l. It was recently translated to Hebrew by Rabbi David Cohen, shlita, the student of Moreinu, shlita. Most of the stories in this chapter were taken from this sefer.
It says, “Do not withhold good from its rightful recipients.” Therefore, we present to you as an introduction to this chapter the words of the author Harav Makhluf Mazal Tarim, which he wrote as a foreword to his sefer Shevach Chaim:
It is incumbent upon every person to always be conscious that he is in Hashem’s Presence and publicize the miracles that Hashem does, because such words ascend on High, and all the Heavenly Hosts gather and thank Hashem for these wonders. Consequently, the Shechinah of Hashem resides upon them Above and below.
The reason that Chazal obligated us to recount the miracles is in order that everyone should become aware of His greatness and awesomeness and thus fear Him. Chazal say that if one discusses the deeds of tzaddikim, it is considered as if he engaged in Ma’aseh Merkavah. Therefore, each member of the Jewish people must gather his family and transmit these tales with trepidation. He should acknowledge the acts of Hashem, because they are awesome. He should be joyous and delight in the kindness that Hashem has performed for us since the day He created the earth until the present.
Also, while performing mitzvot, he must tremble and fear to achieve Hashem’s will, as it says, “Yours, Hashem, is the greatness, etc.,” while being aware before Whom he is standing. This corresponds to the statement of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai: Every mitzvah that is not accompanied by fear and trepidation is not a worthy and proper mitzvah. At the time when one learns Torah, prays, or performs a mitzvah, it is proper to concentrate before Whom he is standing and serve Him with love, for otherwise it is an empty act devoid of content.
Moreover, whoever did not learn the wisdom of Kabbalah, but serves Hashem, i.e., prays with heartfelt devotion, although his service is not perfect, is considered worshipping Hashem, since he reflects upon the greatness of Hashem, Who is an Omniscient and loving Father, Who waits for his return. One should delight with trepidation, and all his deeds should be calculated and not be led by his physical desires, for Hashem desires that one should travel on the correct path.
You are the Master of Mercy and Forgiveness, good to all, Who bestows abundant kindness to all who sincerely and faithfully call upon You, as it says, ‘Hashem is close to all who call upon Him – to all who call upon Him sincerely.’ The mighty and powerful King, how mighty is Your Name throughout the earth, mighty in holiness. May the expressions of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart find favor before You, Hashem, my Rock and my Redeemer.
A Servant of his Master, Makhluf Mazal Tarim
In Arabic
In the introduction to his sefer Shevach Chaim, Harav Makhluf Mazal Tarim clarifies the reason why he wrote the sefer in Arabic:
I would like to inform you, dear readers, that a few of the select documents written by the great Rav, the glorious Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, were lost in the Spanish War that was fought here in the city of Essaouira as a result of our extended exile, due to our many sins. This is why I recorded a few of the stories that occurred in the days of the tzaddik. I had to write them in Arabic so that it should be easy for the entire religious community to derive benefit from the sefer. It also serves anyone who wishes to contemplate the miracles and wonders that were done for our fathers in the days of the tzaddik. Ultimately, it may prompt a person to return to Hashem. May He bring us all back to Him in complete teshuvah, Amen!
Rabbi Chaim Pinto Hagadol
When Rabbi Chaim was only twelve years old, he was orphaned from both his father and mother. At that time, a strong earthquake rocked the city of Agadir. The port, which was the main source of income for the inhabitants, was destroyed. In its place, a new port was constructed in the city of Mogador. Consequently, many Jewish families, including the Pinto family, resettled in Mogador, where they eventually succeeded in earning a profitable and respectable income.
Rabbi Gedalia Yaakov was very active in assisting the immigrants who streamed to Mogador. He sent the youth, Chaim Pinto, to his relative, Rabbi Meir Pinto, who served as an official in the French Consulate in Mogador.
Rabbi Meir Pinto welcomed his young relative cordially and extended his hospitality to him. Eventually, he sent Rabbi Chaim to learn in the yeshiva of the gaon Rabbi Yaakov Bibas, zt”l, who was the Rosh Av Beit Din of Mogador, so that he should grow in Torah.
While Still Young
As previously mentioned, the young Chaim Pinto arrived in Mogador when he was only a young boy of twelve, orphaned of both his father and mother. He was weary from his journey, hungry and thirsty, but had no food or drink in his sack. He sought refuge in the Beit Hakeneset of Rabbi Meir Ben Attar. He was utterly exhausted, and his head dropped slowly, until he fell fast asleep.
At that time, Rabbi Meir Pinto, one of the charitable residents of Mogador, was sleeping comfortably in his bed. Two tzaddikim appeared to him in a dream: Rabbi Shlomo Pinto, zy”a, Chaim’s father, and Rabbi Moshe Tahuni, zt”l.
Both tzaddikim began to admonish him in his dream, since while he was sleeping in comfort, the young orphan, Chaim Pinto, was in the Beit Hakeneset, hungry and thirsty.
“You should know,” the two disclosed, “that although he is still young, a great light will emanate from him in the days to come. Arise quickly and take him into your home. You must take care to hire a teacher who will teach him Torah.”
The two tzaddikim also appeared to the young Chaim Pinto in the Beit Hakeneset, informing him that shortly Rabbi Meir Pinto would arrive, and he should go to his home. In order to verify the validity of the dream, the tzaddikim woke him up and stood before him while he was actually awake. They also blessed him and shook his hand.
Rabbi Meir awoke startled and immediately hurried to the Beit Hakeneset to search for Rabbi Chaim. He knocked on the door.
“Who is there?” asked Rabbi Chaim from behind the door.
“It is I, Meir Pinto.”
“Recite the psalm May the pleasantness of the L-rd so that I should know that it is really you and not an agent of the Sitra Achra.” (The mazikim are afraid of this psalm, as is known by those who learn the hidden secrets of the Torah.)
Rav Meir Pinto recited the psalm, and then Chaim let him in. He recounted his father, Rabbi Shlomo’s, visit in detail.
Rabbi Meir trembled when he heard his relative’s tale. He brought the young Chaim to his home and took care of all his needs, spiritual and physical. Each day, Rabbi Meir would accompany Chaim to the house of Rabbi Yaakov Bibas, where he studied Torah diligently until he became a great Torah scholar
The Far-reaching Influence of Rabbi Yaakov Bibas
In the sefer Shevach Chaim, an amazing story is recorded about the greatness and holiness of Rabbi Yaakov Bibas.
In the city of Mogador, there lived a Jew by the name of Eliyahu Abergeil, also known as “Ben Kiki.” Eliyahu had a store where he sold sugar and tea. Rabbi Yaakov Elmaliach, zt”l, who was the brother-in-law of Rabbi Yaakov Bibas, often purchased sugar and tea from him on credit, paying at a later date.
One day, when the entire stock of merchandise was depleted, Eliyahu began to feel extremely anxious. He could not restock his store, because he owed large sums of money to his suppliers. How would he pay them?
In desperation, he considered running away to sea and committing suicide. He figured that in this way he would be relieved of the pressing debts that besieged him.
Just on that morning, Rabbi Yaakov Elmaliach arrived at the store, in order to purchase sugar and tea, but found the store closed. He was surprised, and immediately inquired from the mother of Eliyahu, the store owner, “Why is the store closed today?”
Angrily, she rejoined, “What do you expect?! You already emptied out the entire shop without paying! And now, because of his overwhelming debts, Eliyahu is on his way to the shore, seeking to drown himself…”
Upon hearing this, Rabbi Yaakov hurried toward the ocean. He found Eliyahu Abergeil standing at the edge of the waters. At the last minute, he grabbed the hem of his coat and told him, “It’s my fault that you owe so much money to your suppliers. Do not worry! Tomorrow, with G-d’s help, I will pay you fully.”
Rabbi Yaakov Elmaliach then went straight to the cemetery. He prostrated himself over the grave of his brother-in-law, the tzaddik Rabbi Yaakov Bibas. With heaving sobs he cried, “Honorable Rav, take care of your family members. I cannot take care of them any longer!” He cried until he fell asleep.
In a dream, he saw Rabbi Yaakov Bibas standing before him. Rabbi Yaakov ordered him, “Rise and go directly to Rabbi Yosef Elmaliach. He will give you a sum of money, which Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Amozeg sent you.”
Simultaneously, Rabbi Yosef Elmaliach also dreamed that Rabbi Yaakov Bibas appeared to him. The tzaddik admonished him accusingly, “How did you forget to deliver the money which Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Amozeg sent to Rabbi Yaakov Elmaliach?” When Rabbi Yaakov Elmaliach woke up, he set out quickly to Rabbi Yosef Elmaliach’s house. Similarly, when Rabbi Yosef Elmaliach awoke, he ordered his attendant to accompany him to the Mellah.
The two met on the way. Rabbi Yaakov preceded Rabbi Yosef with the question, “Why did you arise so early this morning?”
“The one who appeared to you in a dream, also appeared to me,” answered Rabbi Yosef…
Rabbi Yosef Elmaliach quickly ushered Rabbi Yaakov into his home and gave him the sum of money that Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Amozeg had sent him. He apologized profusely for delaying delivery of the money, explaining that he had been very busy.
Relieved, Rabbi Yaakov Elmaliach hurried to the shop owner, Eliyahu Abergeil. He paid up his entire debt. Consequently, Eliyahu was able to pay his suppliers. He even had some money left over to restock his store with sugar and tea.
Devotion to Each and Every Person
Rabbi Chaim’s fame spread. At first, he was known as a gaon and a genius in Torah. Later on, people began to recognize what an outstanding tzaddik he was. His vast knowledge emanated from his lofty levels of holiness. He brought about many salvations and performed miracles.
Rabbi Chaim engaged in the study of Torah day and night. His diligence in learning enabled him to reveal the secrets of the Torah. He lived in holiness and purity, and thus rose in stature from day to day, acquiring great honor.
The name of the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Hagadol was lauded throughout the land, and he became famous among the Jews of Morocco. The native Arabs also greatly respected him and considered him a holy miracle worker.
His good name reached far and wide, beyond the borders of Morocco, to Europe and the Middle East. Many times he would receive requests from Jews from far off countries, beseeching him to pray for them and help them merit salvation and annul harsh decrees.
The doors of his home were open throughout the day to all, rich or poor, prominent or simple. He would make an effort to assist each person who turned to him, as a father caring for his son.
Bearing the Burden of the People
When his esteemed teacher Rabbi Yaakov Bibas died, the members of the community turned to Rabbi Chaim Hagadol and asked him to fill his position as Rav of Mogador. At first, Rabbi Chaim refused due to his immense humility. However, since the leaders of the community insisted, Rabbi Chaim agreed to fill the position of his holy mentor. He took upon himself to bear the burden of the people in all matters, communal and individual.
Rabbi Chaim was aided in his rabbinical duties by his close friend Rabbi David Chazan, zt”l, who served as his assistant in leading the community and was also a member of the special Beit Din established under his auspices
A Small Glimpse
Rabbi Chaim Hagadol also authored several sefarim, including those on halachah, aggadah, methods in Kabbalah, as well as novel insights in Shas. Unfortunately, he did not succeed in printing his many manuscripts, and eventually most of them were lost.
Some of his piyutim and responses in halachah that were recorded in the sifrei shu’t of other brilliant authors with whom Rabbi Chaim had corresponded survived and have been printed.
An example can be found in the sefer Shufra d’Yaakov (chelek Choshen Mishpat, siman 17), where questions and responses of the Rabbis of Mogador, Rabbi Chaim and Rabbi David Chazan, are recorded. There are many other examples of this in the sefarim of the Rabbis of Morocco of that period.
Rabbi David Chazan
The three exceptional tzaddikim, Rabbi Avraham Koryat, Rabbi Chaim Pinto Hagadol, and Rabbi David Chazan learned each day as chavrutot. The first letters of their names spell the word echad (אחד .(They served together in the Rabbinical Beit Din of Mogador.
Every Erev Shabbat Kodesh, Rabbi Chaim and Rabbi David Chazan regularly learned together the commentary of the Alshich, zy”a, on the parashah. This custom was very dear to them. They both wished for it to continue uninterrupted. Therefore, they agreed between them that whoever would die first, would appear to his partner, in order to learn with him parashat hashevuah with the commentary of the Alshich.
A Study Partner from the Upper Spheres
In fact, it is told that on the Shabbat after the demise of Rabbi David Chazan, zt”l, Rabbi Chaim Hagadol waited for his arrival. However, Rabbi David did not appear. Rabbi Chaim called his attendant and asked him to go to Rabbi David’s house and ask his widow why her husband was not keeping his promise to learn with him the sefer of the Alshich on Erev Shabbat.
The attendant did not comprehend his Rabbi’s request, and did not hurry to fulfill his order. He thought to himself that Rabbi Chaim was well aware that Rabbi David was no longer alive.
Rabbi Chaim noticed the attendant’s hesitation and emphatically repeated his request. The attendant finally understood that this was an extraordinary request beyond his comprehension. He hurried to Rabbi David’s house and asked his widow why her husband was not keeping his promise to learn the sefer of the Alshich on Erev Shabbat with Rabbi Chaim.
The widow was taken aback by the question. “From where does Rabbi Chaim know that my husband is presently at home?” she asked the astonished attendant.
It did not take long for Rabbi Chaim to receive an explanation.
Rabbi David Chazan appeared to his friend and told him that he had also vowed to his wife that he would come home to make Kiddush for her every Friday night (as Rabbeinu Hakadosh did). This was the reason that he had not appeared to learn with Rabbi Chaim; he could not be in two places at the same time. In addition, he informed Rabbi Chaim that from then on, he would continue to appear to him physically, whereas, he would appear to his wife only in a dream, since she had revealed his secret.
Revealing the Secrets of the Torah
The great tzaddik, Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Rabbi David Chazan, Rabbi Chaim’s beloved friend, did not merit having children for many years. At every opportunity, he prayed to Hashem that He should merit having sons who would serve and fear Him.
His prayers bore fruit and after a period of time, to his immense joy, Rabbi David had a son. However, his joy was short-lived, since this only child died while still very young. The following tale is told describing the episode:
Rabbi David Chazan engaged in the study of Kabbalah, unveiling the secrets of the Torah. Once, while he was learning, his son, who was approximately seven years old at the time, approached him and began to learn with him the hidden mysteries of the Torah.
The young boy quickly grasped everything his father taught. Afterward, he proceeded to transmit the mystic secrets to his father’s students (Shenot Chaim and Mekor Chaim).
From then on, all the people referred to the boy as “the prophet,” because every word that he uttered was true. His father, Rabbi David, feared this development, and beseeched Hashem to cause his son to depart from the world, so that he would not frighten people by revealing to them what was on their conscience.
His prayers were realized, and his son died at the height of his youth. He had exceeded his limits due to his lofty neshamah. He was buried in the cemetery of Mogador, near the place where Rabbi Chaim Pinto Hagadol was eventually laid to rest (Shevach Chaim).
How Could He Have Known?
Rabbi David Elkayam once traveled from Mogador to Livorno, Italy. There, he met the Chida, ztk”l. Before he left, the Chida presented him with three sefarim that he had authored: Rosh David, Chaim Sha’al, and Simchat Haregel. He told Rabbi David Elkayam, “The sefer Rosh David, give to Rabbi David Chazan; Chaim Sha’al, give to Rabbi Chaim Pinto; and Simchat Haregel is for you as compensation for traveling to me on foot.” Even before Rabbi David Elkayam let anyone know of his return to Mogador, Rabbi Chaim Hagadol was already aware of his presence and sent a messenger to bring the sefer of the Chida to him.
The Image of the Child
Moreinu v’Rabbeinu relates the following:
A few years ago, when I visited the cemetery in Mogador, close to the gravestone of the holy Rabbi, the mekubal Rabbi Yaakov Bibas, I saw the image of a child standing near the grave of the deceased boy, called “the prophet.”
I informed the guard of the fact that there was a solitary child wandering around the cemetery. The non-Jewish watchman glanced around but did not see any child there.
I pointed precisely to the spot where the child was standing, but the words of the pasuk were fulfilled, “They have eyes, but cannot see.” I believe it was the image of the child called “the prophet,” standing near his grave in the cemetery. Unsurprisingly, the nonJewish watchman could not behold the image of the holy child, who was an exalted tzaddik.
Fish for the Shabbat Feast
Rabbi David Chazan had the custom of eating fish in honor of Shabbat every Friday night. Since in those days there were no refrigerators, it was necessary to go to the market on Friday in order to purchase fresh fish.
One Friday, as Rabbi David Chazan set out to the market to buy fish for Shabbat, he was informed by every shopkeeper, “Today there are no fish! There was a storm at sea and the fishermen could not spread their nets. Everyone returned empty-handed.”
At first, Rabbi David was crestfallen, since he would not be able to fulfill his custom of eating fish on Shabbat. However, he came up with a brilliant plan. He knew that Rabbi Chaim Pinto always had plenty of fish in his house. Thus, immediately following the Evening Prayers on Shabbat night, he turned directly to the house of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, in order to join the tzaddik in his meal.
Rabbi Chaim welcomed his guest warmly. While enjoying an array of fish in honor of Shabbat Kodesh, Rabbi Chaim Hagadol and Rabbi David discussed various topics in Torah, halachah, and aggadah. They continued with their discussion, not noticing the time passing, until it was very late at night.
When Rabbi David turned to go home, he noticed the time and became apprehensive. In those days, traveling alone at night was perilous, since bands of robbers lurked in the streets.
Perceiving Rabbi David’s predicament, Rabbi Chaim immediately summoned a demon (called Gedalya). He ordered it to accompany Rabbi David to his house and guard him from any danger.
On the road, they began to converse. It began when the demon stuck out its tongue and a fiery flame shot out from its mouth.
Rabbi David scolded, “I am afraid that you are desecrating the Shabbat.”
The demon shot back, “I’m sorry to inform you, honorable Rabbi, that is not so! The prohibition to desecrate the Shabbat is only incumbent upon people made of flesh and blood, but does not obligate us, since we are made of fire” (Shenot Chaim).
Discovering “Chaim” – Life
The following story was told by Rabbi Meir Pinto, zy”a:
One year there was a big shortage of fish. Since it was a custom to eat fish on Shabbat in accordance with Kabbalistic teaching, Rabbi Chaim Hagadol summoned a fisherman and requested, “Please go to the ocean and catch some fish.”
“Rabbeinu! For so many weeks now there have been no fish in the sea.”
Rabbi Chaim instructed him, “Go to the edge of the sea and every time you throw your net into the water, say ‘Chaim,’ and fish will emerge.”
The fisherman did as the tzaddik instructed, and in a few moments he had amassed a large stock of high-quality fish with which to honor Shabbat Kodesh.
When people heard that the fisherman had a stock of fish, they flocked to him, begging him to sell them some. However, the fisherman refused to sell even one fish, insisting that the fish were not his, but belonged to Rabbi Chaim Pinto.
Rabbi Chaim Pinto took the whole stock and distributed the fish to all the people of the city, leaving only a small portion for himself.
When his friend, Rabbi David Chazan heard about the episode, he came to the Rav’s house on Shabbat night and said, “Rabbi Chaim! I heard that you have Chaim (life) in your house.”
“That is true,” Rabbi Chaim replied. “I have Chaim in my house.”
The two sat together by the Shabbat table, relishing the special dishes of fish. Thus, they were able to uphold this traditional custom, originating in Kabbalistic teaching.
A Lashing at the Rav’s Command
Rabbi David Chazan related the following account:
The light would burn until the wee hours of the night in Rabbi Chaim Hagadol’s room. Long after all the people of the city had retired, he would continue to delve in the study of Torah, without a break.
One night, while he was engaged in learning the holy Torah, his eyelids drooped, and he began to doze. Unintentionally, his foot fell upon the holy sefer of Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto – the Rif, zy”a.
When Rabbi Chaim awoke from his sleep, he realized what he had done, and he was deeply anguished, despite the fact that it was unintentional.
The incident cause Rabbi Chaim great distress, and he had no peace of mind. He called his attendant and asked him to come to his room with a leather strap. When the attendant brought the strap, Rabbi Chaim instructed him to lash the foot that had unintentionally rested upon the sefer of the Rif.
The attendant was shaken by the thought, “How can I lash the honorable Rav? I cannot bring myself to do such a thing!”
However, Rabbi Chaim was not deterred. He ordered his attendant to fulfill his wish and do as he ordered and lash him soundly until he told him to stop.
Having no other choice, the attendant whipped the foot of Rabbi Chaim with all his might. He delivered lash after lash, as the Rav ordered, until the foot began to swell. The pain intensified with each lash until Rabbi Chaim told him to stop.
A Spark of Achiya Hashiloni
That night, Rabbi Chaim Hagadol was unable to rise to recite the tikkun chatzot in the Beit Hakeneset, as he usually did.
When the shamash, who regularly joined the Rav in the tikkun, showed up, he was surprised to find himself alone in the Beit Hakeneset. He was even more astonished when he suddenly heard a voice emanating from the Aron Hakodesh, “Where is Rabbi Chaim Pinto? Why did he not come as usual to say the tikkun chatzot prayer? Why is he not singing the praises of his Creator?
All the Celestial Hosts are waiting to hear his song and prayers.” The attendant became extremely frightened. He gathered his courage and quivered, “Who is talking?”
“It is I,” answered the voice, “Rabbi Yisrael Najara. Go quickly to Rabbi Chaim and tell him that he possesses a spark of the neshamah of the prophet, Achiya Hashiloni. He should cease torturing himself, because his sin has already been forgiven.”
The voice continued, “I used to give my Creator pleasure with the songs that I composed, but since the day that I departed from the world only Rabbi Chaim Pinto masters the depth of song.”
The attendant trembled from the sound of the voice. He quickly went to Rabbi Chaim’s house, in order to repeat to him all that he had heard. However, before he could open his mouth, Rabbi Chaim said, “You heard the voice of Rabbi Yisrael Najara in the Beit Hakeneset. Blessed are you and blessed is your portion!”
The following night, the Rif appeared in a dream to Rabbi David Chazan and told him, “Tell Rabbi Chaim that he should not worry about what he did unintentionally. Order him to rise from his bed. His swollen leg is already healed.”
At the same time, the Rif appeared to Rabbi Chaim in a dream and told him the following, “You have received full pardon in all the spheres. Tomorrow, with Hashem’s help, you will arise from your sleep and be healed.”
The next morning, when Rabbi David Chazan came to Rabbi Chaim to tell him about his dream, Rabbi Chaim preceded him, saying, “The one who came to you in a dream came to me as well.” Just as he had been promised, he rose from his bed and stood on his two feet, completely cured (Shenot Chaim).
A Hidden Secret
There is an amazing tale describing what transpired on the day of Rabbi David Chazan’s demise:
Rabbi David came to Marrakesh together with Rabbi Chaim Pinto Hagadol upon the request of the governor of the city, who wanted the holy tzaddikim to serve as judges in the hearing of a wealthy man, Rabbi Chaim Ben Bakhas.
When they arrived in the city, it was time to pray. In the midst of the Shemoneh Esrei prayer, Rabbi David Chazan’s neshamah departed in holiness and purity.
The members of the Chevrah Kadisha approached the body to begin the purification process and bury him. However, to their astonishment, they were not able to proceed. Whoever came near the holy body of Rabbi David promptly got knocked down. This occurred to the first person, the second, and all others.
The members of the Chevrah Kadisha realized that there were mysterious circumstances preventing them from burying Rabbi David Chazan. They hurried to Rabbi Chaim Hagadol to tell him about the strange series of events.
He thought for a moment and then told them, “Rabbotai, you should know that I shared a deep secret with Rabbi David Chazan. Now that he has departed to the Heavenly Spheres, I can reveal it to you.
“Whoever will approach his body will immediately fall. However, there is only one way to conduct the taharah and arrange for his burial. His body must be bathed with his own tears, the tears that flowed freely from his eyes while crying every night during the tikkun chatzot prayers, in grief over the destruction of the Temple.
“These tears,” Rabbi Chaim explained, “are found in a special jar in his house in Mogador. Go quickly to Mogador and bring the jar, and then you will be able to arrange the taharah properly.”
The members of the Chevrah Kadisha were confounded by the tzaddik’s suggestion. “How can we possibly fetch something from Mogador? It is very far from here, and it will take a few days to travel there and back. Leaving the body without burial during this time is a desecration of the deceased.”
Rabbi Chaim agreed that it was not appropriate to allow the deceased to remain unburied for such an extended period. He entered his room to reconsider the situation and then emerged and announced, “Wait a few moments, and the jar will come to you.”
Rabbi Chaim strode over to the Beit Hakeneset Alazama, in Marrakesh, and opened the Aron Hakodesh with awe. When he emerged, he was holding the jar filled with the tears of Rabbi David Chazan.
Rabbi Chaim Pinto handed them the jar, to their absolute amazement. The members of the Chevrah Kadisha first immersed themselves in the mikveh, in order to purify themselves in honor of the deceased. Afterward, they bathed the holy body of Rabbi David in his tears. Miraculously, the tears in the jar sufficed for the entire washing process.
Then, the body of Rabbi David Chazan was finally brought to its burial. Throngs of people came to accompany him in Marrakesh, where he had departed suddenly, in fulfillment of the pasuk, “He will come in peace; they will rest on their resting places – he who walks in his integrity.”
There was a shelter built over the grave of Rabbi David Chazan, and on the tombstone the following words are written:
This is the grave Of the exalted Rav, the G-dly Mekubal Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Rabbi David Chazan, zt”l, From the city of Mogador Who learned and reviewed Torah with Eliyahu Hanavi He was called to the Heavenly Yeshiva here in Marrakesh On the Sixteenth of Menachem Av 1833 (5593)