9 Adar · Yahrzeit
Rabbi Itzhak Ben Walid - "Vayomer Yitzchak"
Gaon, Rav Itzhak ben Shem Tov Ben Walid, rabbi of Tetouan, was one of the most outstanding personalities among the Gaonim of Morocco - (1777-1870).
Yahrzeit - 9 Adar
Burial place - Tetouan
Rabbi Itzhak was born in a town where a Jewish community of Spanish origin lived, and he continued the magnificent line of the renowned Ben Walid family. The community had settled there after the expulsion of Spanish Jewry, and they preserved their unique and ancient Spanish language - Ladino. Rav Itzhak came from a family of rabbis, and his father was the chacham, Rabbi Shem Tov.
He was named after his grandfather, Rav Itzhak. From childhood it was evident that he was destined to become a great man. Thus, even before he reached the age of bar mitzvah, he was immersed in the study of Torah, and from his youth signs of purity and holiness emanated from him.
While still young, Itzhak lost his father. He lived with the rest of his family in difficult conditions.
Father's Talmud
It is said that after his father's death, the burden of supporting the family fell on his mother's shoulders, and she worked hard to provide bread for her many children. Once, when the family was in very dire straits, his mother was forced to sell the Shas (Talmud) of her late husband in order to buy bread for her children with the proceeds. Young Itzhak, understanding his mother's pain, decided to set aside penny after penny in order to redeem his father's Shas.
11 children
By the age of 17 he was already a scholar. He had acquired vast knowledge of Torah and Halacha, so that all the sages of the generation noticed him and were convinced that he would reach great heights. At 18 he married the daughter of the Kedoshim family. She bore him a son, but soon died, leaving him with a small child. A few years later he married a second time, to a woman named Simcha Vidal Bibas. She helped and supported him in his service and bore him ten children, all of whom became great Torah scholars. Their family of thirteen lived in poverty and had only the bare minimum. He earned his living by drawing up contracts and through the synagogue that he led.
Humility
Rav Itzhak Ben Walid was known for his great humility and turned down many positions that were offered to him. Thus, not wishing to be called the rabbi of his city, he left Tetouan and settled in Gibraltar. The Tetouan community sent delegates to Gibraltar to persuade him to return and beg him to become their rabbi. Only after seeing in a dream that he was meant to take on this position did he agree to become their rabbi, and for 40 years he held the positions of rabbi and Av Beit Din of Tetouan. Despite his high standing, he always remained humble, pleasant and kind, answering every question of halacha that was put to him.
He was a great leader and showed unprecedented devotion to the members of his community, especially the needy, widows and orphans.
He loved Eretz Yisrael very much, and it is said that he sought out any information about the Land of Israel. Moreover, he made aliyah and settled in Haifa; however, when attempts were made to stir up conflict against him, he decided to return to the diaspora. He generously helped raise funds for those who came from Eretz Yisrael.
The Miraculous Cane (see photo)
Rav Itzhak had a cane that he used as a walking stick, and which was passed down in his family from generation to generation. This staff was known for the miracles it performed, healing certain illnesses as well as easing childbirth. Many stories were told of the staff healing the sick whom no one else had managed to heal. It also helped several women who had complications during childbirth and who were saved thanks to Rav Itzhak's blessing.
The story goes that for many years Rabbi Yechaya Ben Naim (a student of Rabbi Itzhak) had no son. His teacher advised him to make a pilgrimage to the grave of the renowned rabbi Amram Ben Diwan in Wazzan, so that through the merit of the tzadik he would be blessed with a son. Rabbi Yechaya followed this advice, and soon afterward a son was born to Rabbi Yechaya, whom they named Moshe. Later, when the child fell ill, the name Rafael Chaim was added to his name.
Rabbi Chaim Shmuel Konvarti, chief rabbi of the city of Tiberias, was the teacher of Rabbi Rafael Chaim Ben Naim. Rabbi Shmuel gave his approbation to Rabbi Itzhak Ben Walid's book "Vayomer Yitzchak" and praised the author, calling his greatness in Torah miraculous. Among other things, Rabbi Chaim Shmuel described him as "one of the last of the Great Assembly, a supreme and great rabbi, a fortress and stronghold, a father of justice" - "Saba DeMishpatim."
Rav Itzhak Ben Walid was known as a holy man who performed miracles.
At the age of 93, on Shabbat, he felt weak, and at the onset of Shabbat he returned his soul to the Creator, his lips whispering Tehillim 92: "Mizmor shir leyom haShabbat."
He passed away on 9 Adar 1870. Every year on this day, his Yahrzeit is celebrated at his grave in Tetouan, as well as in Israel. May his merit protect us. Amen.
On 9 Adar, the day of his Hillula, many Jews go out at night to pray at his grave in Tetouan.
The tzadik Baba Meir Abuchatzeira testified that he never felt such holiness as he felt at the grave of the holy and revered Rav Itzhak Ben Walid.
At the age of 93 he was very weak, and at the onset of Shabbat he gave his soul to his Creator, his lips whispering Tehillim 92: "Mizmor shir leyom haShabbat."
He passed away on 9 Adar 1870. Every year on this day, his Yahrzeit is celebrated at his grave in Tetouan, as well as in Israel. May his merit protect us. Amen.
To this day, the Jews of Morocco continue to honor the name of Rabbi Itzhak Ben Walid, and in Israel many educational institutions bear the title "Vayomer Yitzchak" after Rabbi Itzhak Ben Walid.
P.S. At the grave of the Tzadik - during a trip by the Silatehilim.com group to the Kivrei Tzadikim of Morocco - two miracles occurred at once! Toda Hashem!
May the merit of the Tzadik protect Am Yisrael!!!
(https://hevratpinto.org/tzadikim_eng/063_rabbi_itzhak_ben_walid.html)
The Miraculous Cane (see photo)
Rav Itzhak had a cane that he used as a walking stick, and which was passed down in his family from generation to generation. This staff was known for the miracles it performed, healing certain illnesses as well as easing childbirth. Many stories were told of the staff healing the sick whom no one else had managed to heal. It also helped several women who had complications during childbirth and who were saved thanks to Rav Itzhak's blessing.
The story goes that for many years Rabbi Yechaya Ben Naim (a student of Rabbi Itzhak) had no son. His teacher advised him to make a pilgrimage to the grave of the renowned rabbi Amram Ben Diwan in Wazzan, so that through the merit of the tzadik he would be blessed with a son. Rabbi Yechaya followed this advice, and soon afterward a son was born to Rabbi Yechaya, whom they named Moshe. Later, when the child fell ill, the name Rafael Chaim was added to his name.
Rabbi Chaim Shmuel Konvarti, chief rabbi of the city of Tiberias, was the teacher of Rabbi Rafael Chaim Ben Naim. Rabbi Shmuel gave his approbation to Rabbi Itzhak Ben Walid's book "Vayomer Yitzchak" and praised the author, calling his greatness in Torah miraculous. Among other things, Rabbi Chaim Shmuel described him as "one of the last of the Great Assembly, a supreme and great rabbi, a fortress and stronghold, a father of justice" - "Saba DeMishpatim."
Rav Itzhak Ben Walid was known as a holy man who performed miracles.
At the age of 93, on Shabbat, he felt weak, and at the onset of Shabbat he returned his soul to the Creator, his lips whispering Tehillim 92: "Mizmor shir leyom haShabbat."
He passed away on 9 Adar 1870. Every year on this day, his Yahrzeit is celebrated at his grave in Tetouan, as well as in Israel. May his merit protect us. Amen.
On 9 Adar, the day of his Hillula, many Jews go out at night to pray at his grave in Tetouan.
The tzadik Baba Meir Abuchatzeira testified that he never felt such holiness as he felt at the grave of the holy and revered Rav Itzhak Ben Walid.
At the age of 93 he was very weak, and at the onset of Shabbat he gave his soul to his Creator, his lips whispering Tehillim 92: "Mizmor shir leyom haShabbat."
He passed away on 9 Adar 1870. Every year on this day, his Yahrzeit is celebrated at his grave in Tetouan, as well as in Israel. May his merit protect us. Amen.
To this day, the Jews of Morocco continue to honor the name of Rabbi Itzhak Ben Walid, and in Israel many educational institutions bear the title "Vayomer Yitzchak" after Rabbi Itzhak Ben Walid.
P.S. At the grave of the Tzadik - during a trip by the Silatehilim.com group to the Kivrei Tzadikim of Morocco - two miracles occurred at once! Toda Hashem!
May the merit of the Tzadik protect Am Yisrael!!!
(https://hevratpinto.org/tzadikim_eng/063_rabbi_itzhak_ben_walid.html)
Pilgrimage site:
Grave: Yitzchak Kaduri