A Rare Document: A Complete Sermon by Rabbeinu the 'Ben Ish Chai'. Baghdad, 1896

A Rare Document: A Complete Sermon by Rabbeinu the 'Ben Ish Chai'. Baghdad, 1896

A rare historical document: a remarkable eulogy sermon by the great Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, the 'Ben Ish Chai.' 1896.

This sermon, written in his own handwriting, was delivered on the 3rd of Kislev 1896 in memory of Rabbi Tzalah (Salih) Somekh, one of the most esteemed sages of Baghdad and the son of Rabbi Abdullah Somekh, author of 'Zivchei Tzedek' and teacher of the Ben Ish Chai.

The original document spans approximately 20 pages, with 16 of them written on both sides. The composition begins with the traditional phrase 'L’shem Yichud Kudsha Brich Hu U’Shechintei' (For the unification of the Holy One, Blessed be He, and His Presence) and includes a precise date notation. In one of the pages, the blessing 'El Shad-ai will be our help and will protect us…' appears three times.

This manuscript has been preserved in very good condition. It contains a few blank pages in the middle but remains complete, constituting a unique historical treasure from a significant period in the history of Baghdad’s Jewish community.

[20] lined paper leaves, 32 written pages. 10.5x13 cm.

Autographic writing with deletions and additions.

Very good condition. New leather binding.

Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad (1833-1909), author of 'Ben Ish Chai' and the greatest sage of the Sephardic world in his time. He was born to Rabbi Eliyahu Chaim, son of Rabbi Moshe Chaim, Chief Rabbi of Baghdad. A disciple of Rabbi Abdullah Somekh, he was already renowned for his genius and piety from a young age. At just 26 years old, he began delivering sermons at the Great Synagogue of Baghdad, continuing to do so every Shabbat and holiday for nearly fifty years. Thousands would gather to hear his sweet words for hours at a time.

He became known as a 'unique figure in his generation' in both revealed and esoteric Torah throughout the Jewish world and was famous for his great holiness. In 1869, he traveled to the Land of Israel to visit the graves of the righteous, where he received a heavenly revelation that he was a reincarnation of Benaiah ben Yehoyada. This inspired him to name many of his dozens of works with variations of this theme, including *Ben Ish Chai*, *Ben Ish Chayil*, *Ben Yehoyada*, *Rav Pe'alim*, *Od Yosef Chai*, and more.