1 Tevet · Yahrzeit
Rabbi Yosef HaMaarabi
Rabbi Yosef HaMaarabi - a Baal Mofet (miracle worker) - was a disciple of the Holy Arizal (1616). He was born in Morocco, and from there traveled to study in Safed.
Yahrzeit - 1 Tevet Resting place - El Hamma, Tunisia The tradition of the Tunisian Jewish community linked him to El Hamma, even though the community was only reestablished 200 years after his passing. A monument in the rabbi's honor was built on land purchased from local Muslims at the end of the 19th century. The grave was located in an isolated spot and was surrounded by a three-meter wall with two wide iron gates bearing inscriptions in Hebrew and Latin marking the entrance and exit. These gates were kept locked, and one of the Jews was always responsible for the key. Pilgrimages to this site were made by both Jews and Muslims. According to Jewish tradition, Rabbi Yosef HaMaarabi passed away on Rosh Chodesh Tevet, so pilgrimages to his grave took place throughout the week of Chanukah. In addition to the regular Chanukah candles, it was customary to light memorial candles in the rabbi's honor. Jews from many places would travel to El Hamma, arriving several days before Chanukah, so that their stay in the village was a source of income for the local community. Rabbi Yosef HaMaarabi remained a Baal Mofet (miracle worker) even after his death. It is told that during the war, when the Nazi army began its invasion of Tunisia, the tanks that approached his grave broke down and this changed the course of the operation. (https://dbs.anumuseum.org.il/skn/en/c6/e226763/Place/El_Hamma)