1 Tevet · Yahrzeit

Rabbi Yair Chaim Bacharach of Worms

Rabbi Yair Chaim bar Moshe Shimshon Bacharach (1702) - a direct descendant of the Maharal of Prague — his grandmother, Rebbetzin Chava Bacharach, was a granddaughter of the Maharal of Prague, renowned for her deep knowledge of Torah and her righteousness, and his father Moshe Shimshon Bacharach and his grandfather both served as rabbis of Worms.

Rabbi Yair Chaim Bacharach was a German rabbi and a major posek of the 17th century, who lived first in Koblenz and then, for the rest of his life, in Worms and Mainz. He was the author of the “Chavot Yair” - a collection of responsa, by whose title he is usually known (first published in Frankfurt am Main, 1699); its title is an allusion to his grandmother Chava. The name of the book comes from words taken from a verse in the Torah: “And Yair… captured their villages, and called them Chavot Yair.” (Bamidbar 32:41) Another work, “Mekor Chaim,” was intended to be a major commentary on the Shulchan Aruch, but was withdrawn by Bacharach when he found that other commentaries had already appeared, especially the Taz and the Magen Avraham. It is still considered a primary source of material concerning the minhagim (customs) of that region and era. Bacharach also wrote a work criticizing the Mateh Aharon of Rabbi Aharon Teomim-Frankels. In it, Bacharach sharply criticizes the pilpul methodology that was widespread among the rabbis of his time. In addition to his halachic knowledge, he was thoroughly versed in all the sciences, in music and history, and he wrote poetry. He compiled a 46-volume encyclopedia on many subjects. In 1699 he was appointed rabbi of Worms, where his father and grandfather had served before him. He served for only three years before his death in 1702. The inscription on his gravestone begins with the words: “A great and dark terror has befallen us at the hiding of the light of our Rebbe...” In 1982, his main work, “Mekor Chaim,” was finally published posthumously by the Machon Yerushalayim publishing house. He did not approve of in-depth study of Kabbalah; he encouraged the simple reading of the Zohar. The resting place of the tzadik Rabbi Yair Chaim Bacharach in Worms. A Segula for Chanukah

Rabbi Yair Chaim Bacharach taught that women who sit by the Chanukah candles for 30 minutes and gaze at their flames will merit peace for the entire year, since this is a especially favorable time for prayer – during this time the angels sit above the candles and carry the prayers straight up to Heaven. This is because the light of the Chanukah candles is connected to the Light that G-d created at the moment of Creation, which was hidden away and will only be revealed at the end of days – because this unique light was created before the first sin changed the nature of the world. By gazing at the lights of the Chanukiah, you can free yourself from all worries;

May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael!

(from the site https://dailyzohar.com/tzadikim/830-Rabbi-Yair-Chayim-Bacharach)