Skip to content
This English version of the site was translated with AI assistance. We apologise for any errors and are working to improve it.
Сила Теилим

15 Tammuz · Yahrzeit

Yahrzeit/Hillula of Rabbi Abba Chalafta - Tanna

Rabbi Abba Chalafta was a third-generation Tanna, served as the spiritual leader of Tzipori, and was the father of the well-known Tanna Rabbi Yossi. Yahrzeit - 15 Tammuz Burial Place - Kfar Hananya, Israel   He was a descendant of Yehonadav ben Rechav and was born before the destruction of the Second Temple. Rabbi Chalafta's teachings are quoted several times by his son Rabbi Yossi, who refers to him as "Abba Chalafta." His friends included Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah, Rabbi Yochanan ben Nuri, and Rabbi Chanina ben Teradion. Abba Chalafta lived to see the days when Rabbi Gamliel the Elder became the spiritual leader of the nation, and he also lived to see his grandson, Rabbi Gamliel of Yavne. Rabbi Chalafta was one of the sages who had to deal with the situation resulting from the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, and to bring Jewish Halacha and customs into line with the current circumstances. Once, during a fast established in Tzipori by Rabbi Chalafta and Rabbi Chanina ben Teradion, instead of answering "Amen" after a blessing, the people continued to answer "Baruch Shem Kevod," etc., as was customary in the Temple. Although the rest of the year the congregants answered "Amen," they felt that in the services of the fast day, which included 24 blessings and the sounding of the shofar, they should continue the tradition as it was done in the Temple. When the other sages heard of this, they protested against this decision, stating that it was only acceptable in the prayers held at the eastern gate of the Temple Mount. Rabbi Chalafta is buried in Kfar Hananya, just past the Chalafta Junction, named in his memory. A few steps away is the grave of his son, Rabbi Yossi. A mistaken tradition also places the grave of Rabbi Shimon ben Chalafta in this courtyard, but the Arizal rejected this, placing it in Tzfat, near the ancient cemetery. Next to these graves there still stands an ancient, large tree, which was recorded in visitors' diaries hundreds of years ago. May the merit of the Tzadik Rabbi Abba Chalafta protect us all!   (http://www.zissil.com/topics/Abba-Chalafta)
Pilgrimage site: Grave: Abba Chalafta