Rabbi Hadan 1800 - 1881

Rabbi Yehuda Pinto – (Rabbi Hadan) 1800 - 1881

The tremendous void left by Rabbi Chaim Hagadol’s passing was soon filled by his righteous son, the tzaddik Rabbi Yehuda Pinto – known as Rabbi Hadan, zy”a. He was famous for his swiftness in performing mitzvot, fulfilling Chazal’s dictum, “Be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a deer, and strong as a lion to carry out the will of your Father in Heaven.”

Rabbi Hadan was particularly well-known for his vast knowledge of Torah and Kabbalah. He would diligently study sifrei kodesh, day and night. He was an outstanding tzaddik and chassid, and performed many wondrous miracles. Many people flocked to him in order to receive his blessings.

Because of his wisdom and sagacity in all areas of life, the leaders of the city and state would consult with him. Foreign diplomats and representatives of various countries made their way to him, standing in line by his door to receive advice and assistance in pressing issues.

Correspondence directed to him from foreign countries passed through the various consulates that were situated in Mogador. He shared his wisdom generously, giving beneficial advice to every individual, both in spiritual and physical matters. This was in addition to praying for each member of Am Yisrael to merit salvation and mercy.

Abundant Charity

Rabbi Hadan inherited from his father the virtue of generosity and kindness. It was rooted in the very fiber of his being. It is told about him that he would distribute all his funds for charity. Rabbi Hadan was very careful not to go to sleep at night if he still had a coin remaining in his pocket. He would hurry to donate it to the poor.

When poor children reached the age of thirteen, Rabbi Hadan would purchase tallitot, tefillin, clothing, and other provisions, so that they would be able to celebrate their Bar Mitzvah with complete joy.

A few years later, when these boys grew of age to marry and build a Jewish home, Rabbi Hadan would undertake the important mitzvah of hachnasat kallah.

Sir Montefiore’s Visit

Expensive carpets were laid from the port of Mogador, leading to the house of Rabbi Hadan, in the Mellah. The luxurious carpets were spread in honor of Sir Moses Montefiore, who came from England in 1863 (5623) to intercede with the governor of the city, in order to gain better treatment for the Jews and prevent anticipated pogroms following the blood libel in the nearby city of Safi.

Sir Moses stayed in Rabbi Hadan’s house for a few days and merited receiving his blessings and counsel. Since the weather was so pleasant, Sir Moses extended his visit longer than planned.

During his stay, Sir Moses donated money to the Jews and generously dealt with the needs of the people. The main purpose of his visit was considered to be most successful when he procured a statement of defense and equal rights for the Jews of Morocco (Shenot Chaim).

This visit encouraged other philanthropic organizations to initiate welfare programs aimed at restoring the stability of the Mellah, and arranging for assistance during the periods of hunger and plague that occasionally occurred.

Rays of Splendor

It is said about the tzaddik Rabbi Hadan, that when he was a young boy, a gentile attacked him and began beating him mercilessly. Rabbi Hadan followed the advice of the Sages, who say “If one comes to kill you, rise and strike him dead.” He picked up a stone and threw it at his attacker, who was injured and bled.

When the governor of the city heard about this, he got very angry at the audacity of the Jewish boy, and ordered his father, Rabbi Chaim, to appear before him. When he arrived at the threshold of the palace, the governor became frightened; Rabbi Chaim’s face radiated with rays of splendor and shone like beams of fire.

In great fear, the governor pleaded before Rabbi Chaim not to come any closer to him. Realizing that the person standing in front of him was a saintly and holy man, the governor apologized for daring to disturb Rabbi Chaim from his holy service. As compensation for his troubles, he offered to punish the gentile who had struck his son Rabbi Hadan.

Rabbi Chaim had pity on this gentile and refused to have him punished. After this incident, the prestige of the tzaddik increased in the eyes of the people, and the governor honored Rabbi Chaim greatly (Shevach Chaim).

Do Not Worry

Famine struck Morocco. It took a great toll on the farmers, as well as on all the people. There was not one drop of water to wet the earth. The people were miserable and beside themselves with grief and worry.

Rabbi Hadan was extremely concerned. The chagim were quickly approaching, and he did not have any money to purchase clothing and provisions for the poor people of his city, as he generally did each year.

One night, his father, Rabbi Chaim Hagadol, appeared to him in a dream and told him, “My son! Do not worry. There is no need to be concerned. Tomorrow, with Hashem’s help, your family will receive new clothes as usual.”

At dawn, when Rabbi Hadan prepared to go to the Beit Hakeneset for the Shacharit prayers, the butler of the wealthy man, Moshe Aflalo, came to him. He informed him that the wealthy man wished to see Rabbi Hadan.

Moshe Aflalo was waiting at the entrance of his house and greeted Rabbi Hadan warmly and exuberantly. He began to relate what had transpired: At night, the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Pinto appeared to him and asked, “How is it possible for you to wear new clothing for the chag, while my son Hadan wears old clothing? I order you to provide my son Hadan and his family with new clothing.”

“I called you at daybreak,” the rich man continued, “in order to fulfill your righteous father’s wishes.” He immediately handed Rav Hadan a large sum of money, intended for new clothing. In addition, he gave him a watch and a chain made of pure gold.

Rabbi Hadan blessed the rich man for his generosity and returned home in great spirits. He purchased clothing for the poor people of the city, and with the money that remained, he bought clothing for himself and his family members (Shenot Chaim).

Up in Flames

Every year, Rabbi Hadan would bake matzot for Pesach on the day before Erev Pesach. The Rav would bake the matzot himself, not relying on anyone else. He customarily practiced an additional stringency of bringing his own utensils for the baking of the matzot, since the kashrut of the matzot was his top priority.

As in every year, Rabbi Hadan arranged with the owner of the matzah bakery, called Ben Uchata, that he would come to bake matzot there a day before Erev Pesach.

On the designated day, Rabbi Hadan arrived with the flour, water, rolling pin, and other necessary equipment for baking matzot. However, he noticed to his surprise, that the oven was already occupied by matzot being baked by someone else.

He was very distressed that the owner of the bakery had violated his agreement allowing him to use the bakery on that day. He was even more disturbed by the fact that his extended family, as well as countless poor people, were depending on him to provide them with matzot for the Leil Haseder, which would commence the following evening.

The Rav approached the owner of the bakery and complained to him. However, Ben Uchata answered him indifferently, “Today it’s very busy here. Maybe the honored Rabbi could come back a different day to bake matzot.”

Rabbi Hadan left the bakery without responding. He had not gone far when, all of a sudden, a fire broke out in the bakery, causing it to go up in flames. The oven, utensils, and all the matzot were burned entirely to the ground.

The order of events made it clear to the owner of the bakery that his offensive treatment of the Torah scholar had cost him dearly. He ran after the Rav and begged forgiveness. In addition, he promised him that from that day on he would always keep his word, no matter what.

After Rabbi Hadan pardoned the owner of the bakery, the flames immediately subsided, without leaving any trace of damage at all.

According to eye-witnesses, even the matzot in the oven were not burnt. Such is the power of tzaddikim, the servants of Hashem (Shenot Chaim).

When Moreinu v’Rabbeinu told the story to his students, he added, “Every time we pass by this bakery, we recall the miracle that took place there.”

Better Not to Promise

One of the Jewish merchants in the city of Mogador, Mr. Musen Bochbot, traveled one year to a neighboring city, in order to purchase a stock of etrogim and sell them in Mogador for the festival of Sukkot.

On his way home to Mogador, he was ambushed by an organized band of thieves, who planned to kill him and take all his possessions. At that fateful moment, he prayed that in the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Pinto he should be saved from their hands. He pledged that if he would survive, he would give Rabbi Hadan the sum of five hundred duro that was concealed in his pocket.

The merit of the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Pinto stood in his stead and, in the end, he was miraculously saved.

Once home in Mogador, Mr. Bochbot regretted making the pledge. The sum of money that he had promised to give to Rabbi Hadan seemed exorbitant. He decided to give Rabbi Hadan a smaller amount.

That night, Rabbi Chaim Pinto appeared to Rabbi Hadan in a dream and revealed to him everything that had happened to the merchant, Musen Bochbot. He instructed him not to accept from him less than five hundred duro, which he had pledged to give when his life was in danger.

When the merchant arrived at Rav Hadan’s house, he presented him with one hundred duro and five etrogim. Rav Hadan thanked him for the nice etrogim that he had given him, but upon seeing the money, he told the merchant in no uncertain terms, “I will not take from you less than five hundred duro, since this is the amount that you vowed to give me.”

The merchant could not believe what he was hearing. “How does the Rav know what happened to me, and what I pledged to give?”

Rabbi Hadan recounted to the merchant in exact detail everything that had happened to him on his journey, describing his desperate prayers to be saved in the merit of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, and the pledge that he had made. He also reminded him how in the end he was saved from the cruel bandits. Rabbi Hadan looked at the merchant and stated emphatically, “My father, the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Pinto, appeared to me at night and told me everything. Accordingly, you are obligated to give me the full five hundred duro.”

Shamefacedly, the merchant rummaged through his pockets and pulled out another four hundred duro, placing it on the table of the tzaddik.

Rabbi Hadan did not touch the cash, since he did not wish to take the merchant’s money. He returned the entire sum to him and admonished him sternly, “It says in Kohelet, ‘Better that you do not vow at all than that you vow and not pay.’ If you make a pledge, you are obligated to fulfill exactly what you promised. And if you do not truly desire to give, one should use the word nedavah, which is not binding when making a pledge, and not neder, which is a vow” (Shenot Chaim, Mekor Chaim).

Fulfilling a Promise

Rabbi Hadan enjoyed an excellent reputation among his people. His kind heart and commendable character traits served as shining jewels in his splendid crown of glory. One of his worthy customs, for which he was well-known, was to escort each person who left the city, whether for business or for health purposes or for any other reason.

Our story begins with two merchants, Chacham Bihu and Rabbi Yosef Elmaliach, who set out for England by sea for business purposes. Thus, Rabbi Hadan followed the two to escort them to the port.

When Chacham Bihu noticed Rabbi Hadan’s shining countenance, the thought crossed his mind that perhaps the saintly tzaddik’s intentions were to request that they donate some of their profits for charity. Somehow, he uttered scornful words to Rabbi Hadan. Rabbi Hadan heard the insults and suffered his humiliation in silence. He did not respond, but the disparaging words caused him much pain. “Why? For what reason did Chacham Bihu embarrass me?” he agonized.

Rabbi Hadan returned home humiliated. In his anguish, he fell ill and began to vomit blood. His attendant advised him to ascend to the roof of the house and breathe fresh air, so that perhaps he would feel a little better.

On the roof of the house overlooking the ocean, they spotted two commercial ships sailing at sea. “Whose ships are these?” Rabbi Hadan asked his attendant. The attendant replied that these were Chacham Bihu’s ships. One ship was carrying all the merchandise, and the other ship carried the passengers.

As a result of the agonizing humiliation that the tzaddik had suffered, causing him to fall ill, Hashem brought calamity upon the ship. Soon after setting sail, the ship carrying the merchandise caught fire and sank to the bottom of the ocean.

The attendant, who witnessed the event, ran frantically to Chacham Bihu’s house and told his wife what had happened. He described how Rabbi Hadan had vomited blood because of the humiliation that he had suffered from her husband, and what had eventually happened to the ship.

Chacham Bihu’s wife hurried to the Rav’s house and begged the Rav to spare her husband’s life. Rabbi Hadan consoled her, saying that the most important thing was that the ship that her husband was sailing on would not suffer any damage.

Approximately one month later, Chacham Bihu set out on his return voyage to Mogador with a fleet of five ships. He longed to see his family, and dreamed of meeting them soon.

But alas! Suddenly a storm struck at sea, which threatened to capsize the ships with all its passengers. The winds were so strong that everyone was sure that the ship would sink to the bottom of the ocean.

At this critical time, Chacham Bihu remembered the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Pinto. He prayed from the depths of his heart to Hashem that if He would save him in the merit of the tzaddik, he would give his son Rabbi Hadan fifty royal, in addition to a watch and chain made of pure gold.

His prayers were answered. The ships were saved, and Chacham Bihu arrived home safely. Many people came to greet him, happy to see him home. Amidst all the fanfare of his homecoming, Chacham Bihu forgot about the vow that he had made when his life had been in danger.

That night, when Rabbi Hadan went to sleep, his father, Rabbi Chaim, appeared to him in a dream and told him, “Wake up, my son, and go quickly to the house of Chacham Bihu. Remind him of the vow that he made during the storm at sea, since he is obligated to keep his promise.”

When Rabbi Hadan awoke from his sleep, he hurried to Chacham Bihu’s house. Upon entering, Rabbi Hadan began to recount all the miracles that had happened to Chacham Bihu at sea. It was as if he himself had been present at the time.

When he finished describing the events, Rabbi Hadan turned to Chacham Bihu and told him, “You made a promise and now you must fulfill it.”

Chacham Bihu, who had completely forgotten his vow, was absolutely amazed. How did the Rav know exactly what had occurred? He turned to Rabbi Hadan and asked him, “Honorable Rabbi, who revealed all this to you?”

“My esteemed father, Rabbi Chaim,” answered Rabbi Hadan. “He came to me in a dream and told me everything. Now, please fulfill the promise that you made.”

Chacham Bihu immediately rose from his seat and with great admiration excitedly kissed the Rav with respect. On the spot, he fulfilled his pledge and gave the Rav the money that he had promised to pay (Shevach Chaim).

Returning the Pledge

A similar story happened to another merchant from Mogador, who traveled to London on business. On his way back to Mogador, he returned with a fleet of ships laden with merchandise, which he had purchased in England. All of a sudden, a storm developed at sea, and he was in danger of sinking together with all his merchandise.

The wealthy merchant did as his ancestors did in time of trouble, and began to pray to be saved in the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Hagadol. He vowed that if he would escape danger, he would give all his possessions, including the clothes that he was wearing, to the tzaddik’s son Rabbi Hadan.

The merit of the tzaddik stood in his stead. The storm abated, and the ship docked safely at the shores of Mogador.

When the wealthy man was settled comfortably at home, he began to have misgivings about the vow. It seemed too much to give all his possessions to the tzaddik.

To resolve his predicament, he decided to do hatarat nedarim, in order to annul the vow. He did not intend to completely back down from his pledge, but he would not give Rabbi Hadan all of his possessions, as he had originally promised. Instead, he would offer him a small gift.

While mulling over his thoughts, messengers arrived from Rabbi Hadan and informed him, “The Rav wishes to see you immediately.”

Seated next to the saintly tzaddik, he was surprised to hear him declare, “All your possessions, including the ships that you brought from England belong to me. Even the clothes which you are wearing belong to me and are not yours!”

“How does the Rav know this? I am sure that I did not tell a soul about my vow.”

“My father appeared to me in a dream and revealed everything.” Rav Hadan continued, “In order not to break your vow, since you really do not wish to fulfill it, I am returning everything to you as a gift. You may keep your possessions” (Shenot Chaim).

Salvation Is in Hashem’s Hands

After the Sultan Muhammad died in 1874 (5634), a group of rebels in Morocco tried to seize the reins of government. Some of the brigades camped near the city of Mogador and stormed the fortified city walls. They burned the gates at the entrance and prepared to invade, in order to loot and kill the residents.

The governor of the city, realizing the danger, immediately dispatched his troops to the Beit Hakeneset named after Rabbi Chaim Pinto and beseeched the congregants to pray, begging Hashem for mercy that the enemies should not invade the city.

The congregants began to pray, crying to Hashem to save them from the dangers of the sword, death, and loss.

Salvation is in Hashem’s hands, and He accepted their prayers in the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Hagadol. The watchmen of the city gates testified that immediately at the conclusion of the prayers, horsemen appeared clothed in white garments, galloping on white horses, emerging from the tomb of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, and headed toward the city walls.

The horsemen fought mightily against the rebels and drove them far away. Later on, when the residents ventured outside, they saw the corpses of most of the rebels, who were killed in battle near the wall.

After the miraculous salvation and kiddush Hashem which resulted, the governor approached the tzaddik Rabbi Hadan, Rabbi Chaim’s son, and requested that from then on he should regularly pray for the government.

As a token of appreciation for the prayers that the Jews had conducted to save the city, the governor vowed to protect them. As a gesture of good will, he released from prison many Jews who had been arrested for no reason. In addition, he granted a tax rebate for the Jewish citizens. From then on, the governor knew exactly who to turn to in time of trouble to intervene for Heavenly protection (Shenot Chaim).

Give Birth in Peace

Mrs. Simcha Elkeslasy, a”h, Moreinu v’Rabbeinu’s grandmother, related that once while traveling from Mogador to Marrakesh, Rabbi Hadan chanced upon a large frog advancing slowly.

Rabbi Hadan began to conduct a special tikkun for the frog, and among other things told it, “May it be Hashem’s will that you should give birth in peace.”

Afterward, the tzaddik rose and continued on his journey. The secrets are known only to Hashem…

May He Rest in Peace

The gaon, tzaddik, and mekubal, Rabbi Hadan, passed on to the Heavenly Yeshiva on the sixteenth of Av, 1881 (5641). His grave is situated in the new cemetery in Mogador, and on his holy tomb, the following words are engraved:

“Here is the grave of the perfect all-encompassing Chacham, who brought merit to the public and was swift to perform mitzvot, stemming from holy ancestry, Moreinu v’Rabbeinu Rabbi Yehuda Pinto. He passed away on the sixteenth of Av Rachaman, in the year 5641.”

It is important to note that due to his great humility, no lengthy praise about him was written on his tombstone. However, the simple words engraved are sufficient, stating that he brought merit to the public and was swift to perform mitzvot, since they reflect his tremendous love of Torah and mitzvot. This is as Chazal state, “Not study, but practice is the main thing.”

On the day when his holy father, Rabbi Chaim Pinto Hagadol, passed away, on the twenty-sixth of Elul, at night, while he was sleeping on the floor, he envisioned a bright light. When he opened his eyes, he saw his father, who had already gone to the Heavenly Yeshiva, standing before him. Fortunate was he, and fortunate was his lot.

The holy tzaddik, Rabbi Yehuda Pinto (Rabbi Hadan) was unique. He was known for his benevolence in dispensing charity, for bringing merit to the public, and being swift to perform mitzvot. He exemplified the words of the Tanna: “Be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a deer, and strong as a lion, to carry out the will of your Father in Heaven.” May his memory be blessed, Amen.