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Rabbi Chaim Abulafia Born: Chevron, Eretz Yisrael, 1660 Died: Tveria, Eretz Yisrael, 1744 Kabbalist, head of the Jewish court in Tveria (Tiberias). The year 1740 brought good news to the Jewish settlement in Tveria. At that time, the Ottoman authorities invited the renowned kabbalist Rabbi Chaim Abulafia, the rabbi of Izmir, to come to Eretz Yisrael and rebuild Tveria, which had lain desolate for some time. The Ottoman authorities wanted the city rebuilt for economic reasons, but the Jews considered Abulafia's mission a sign of the approaching fulfillment of their messianic hopes. Rabbi Haim Abulafia, re-established the yeshiva in Tveria, bringing new life to that city, which had been a vibrant center of Jewish life and creativity in the Second Temple and Talmudic periods. In the year 1742 Rabbi Chaim Abulafia met with Rabbi Chaim ben Atar (the Ohr HaChaim) who just came to Israel. The Ohr HaChaim was a guest of R' Abulafia for 9 days. R' Abulafia Pleaded with him to remain in Tveria, R' Chaim ben Atar refused. May the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Abulafia protect us all, Amen. |