27 Av · Yahrzeit
Rabbi Yehuda Fatiya
Rabbi Yehuda Fatiya - "Minchat Yehuda"
Yahrzeit - 27 Av
Resting place - Jerusalem, Har HaZeitim
Chacham Yehuda Fatiya, son of the kabbalist Chacham Moshe Yeshua Fatiya, was born on 2 Shevat 5619 (1859) in Baghdad, Iraq. As a child he studied at the Midrash "Beit Talmud Torah," and later at the Midrash "Beit Zilkha."
He received the greater part of his Torah education from his teacher, Chacham Yosef Balbul.
In 1876, at the age of 17, Rosh Yeshiva Chacham Abdallah Somech asked him to stand before everyone and lead the prayers. One of those present remarked that a young man who had not yet grown a beard should not be appointed to lead such a prayer. In response, Chacham Abdallah Somech rose from his seat and, laying his hands upon the young Yehuda Fatiya, effectively ordained him as a rabbi and teacher of Jewish law.
Even as a young man, he chose to study Kabbalah. His father, the kabbalist Chacham Moshe Yeshua Fatiya, knew the Zohar and the writings of the Arizal by heart.
In 1884, at the age of 25, Chacham Yehuda Fatiya wrote his first mystical work, entitled "Yayin HaRokeach".
He became renowned for his profound knowledge of incantations and amulets. He healed the sick using both mystical and conventional methods.
Chacham Yehuda Fatiya passed away on 27 Av 5702 and was buried at the top of the Bavli community cemetery on the Mount of Olives.
He wrote many books, some of which still remain in manuscript form.
His published books include "Minchat Yehuda" - commentaries on the Torah, Talmud, and Kabbalah, which include conversations with dybbuks and the rite of exorcising dybbuks;
"Beit Lechem Yehuda" - a commentary on the Etz Chaim;
"Yayin HaRokeach" - a commentary on the Zohar, on both the Idra Rabba and the Idra Zuta;
"Ateret Rachel" – discourses on Pirkei Avot;
"Keter Tzedek" – on the Torah;
"Assirei HaTikvah" and "Chasdei David" contain supplications and prayers.
Limud
"For their feet run to evil, and they hasten to shed blood."
This can be interpreted as a praise. Fully righteous people are accustomed to pursuing tikkun in their towns. When they encounter a troubled person who commits evil deeds, they themselves go to that person's home and speak words of rebuke and morality to him, until they cause the person's heart to change his way of life and convince him to put an end to his wrongdoing. And if these righteous ones need to spend money on this matter, they do so from their own pocket, not from communal funds. This is the meaning of the words "feet run" – the feet of the righteous – "to the wicked" – to bring them to repentance. And if funds are required, "they hasten to shed blood" – the word blood (dam) here means money (damim).
(https://hyomi.org.il/eng/mobile/page.asp?id=53)
The Prophet Elisha – Reviving Habakkuk from the Dead
Jewish Psychosomatics – How Sins Are Recorded on the Forehead
Pilgrimage site:
Grave: Yehuda Ftaya