13 Kislev · Yahrzeit
Yahrzeit/Hillula of Rabbi Shalom Hedaya
The Mekubal Rabbi Shalom Hedaya (1864–1944) was a Dayan and Rosh of the kabbalistic Yeshiva "Beit-El" - one of the great Hachamim of Aram Tzova (Syria) and, later, of Jerusalem.
Rabbi Shalom Hedaya was the son of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Hedaya and Sabtia Shama. He was orphaned at a young age and lived in great poverty. He was so poor that there was no one to care for him, and he even considered leaving the path of Torah in order to earn a living. Fortunately, he received help from Rabbi Shlomo Safdia, Rabbi Ovadia Moshe Antebi, Rabbi Shmuel Silvera and Senor Aharon Silvera. He was taught by the great kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Sweid, the Av Beit Din Rabbi Yitzchak Bechor Mizrachi, and later by Rabbi Shaul Sitton, who became head of the rabbinical court in Buenos Aires.
He was born in Aram Tzova, Syria, in 1864, to Rabbi Moshe Chaim and Savtia Hedaya. When he was about 3 years old, he lost his father, and he was raised by his mother and grandmother.
In his youth he studied under Rabbi Moshe Sweid, Rabbi Yitzchak Bechor Mizrachi - Av Beit Din of Aram Tzova - and Rabbi Rafael Yaakov Chaim Yisrael Alfiya.
When he was about 20 years old, in 1884 (5644), he married Sarah, daughter of Rabbi Yitzchak Laveton, granddaughter of Rabbi Chaim Mordechai Laveton.
Already at the age of 18, he was corresponding with the rabbis of his generation, such as Rabbi Eliyahu Hamwe and Rabbi Yeshaya Dayan, Av Beit Din of Aram Tzova. He was also close with Rabbi Shlomo Zafadia and Rabbi Shaul Suchon.
In 1887 he visited Eretz Yisrael and was a guest of the Rishon LeTzion, Rabbi Yaakov Shaul Elyashar, in his home.
Upon returning to Aram Tzova, he nearly went blind, and had to study Torah from memory.
Rabbi Hedaya visited Jerusalem in 1890. His eyes became afflicted, and he soon went blind. He traveled to Alexandria for surgery and made a full recovery.
There he was treated by a renowned physician, and his sight was partially restored, during which time he devoted himself to his essay "Shalom La'am" ("Peace to the People"), which discussed the importance of Torah study, the reasoning behind and importance of supporting Torah scholars for wise students.
In 1899 he settled in Jerusalem, where he was held in great esteem. In 1904 he became a Dayan of the Beit Din for the Sephardic community, and in 1930 he became head of the court.
Some time later he became gravely ill and was forced to travel to Amman, where he was treated and recovered. When Rabbi Hedaya returned to Jerusalem, he became rabbi of the Beit-El synagogue and received the title of HaRav HaChasid.
At a young age, Rabbi Hedaya married Sarah Labaton, and they had four sons: Rabbi Yitzchak Hedaya, Rabbi Ovadia Hedaya, Moshe and Ezra, as well as two daughters, Mazal and Rina. Rina married Rabbi Moshe Ezra Mizrachi and passed away at a young age. Mazal married Rabbi Jacob S. Kassin, who became Chief Rabbi of the Syrian Jewish community of Brooklyn in 1933.
May the merit of the Tzadik protect Am Yisrael!