Jerusalem – 400 Years In Iraq: ‘Ben Ish Chai’ Torah Coming to Israel

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    Ben Ish Hai Torah Flash 90Jerusalem – An ancient Sefer Torah once possessed by the Iraqi rabbinic luminary Ben Ish Hai (1832-1909) will soon leave Bagdad and come to Israel.

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    The Torah Scroll, estimated to be 400 years old, is one of the oldest in the world. It was written in large, clear letters on thick parchment known as gawil – meaning it was not split while being processed.

    The ancient Torah narrowly escaped fire in 1937. It was once used in the synagogue of the acclaimed Rabbi Abdullah and his famous disciple Rabbi Yosef Chaim, the “Ben Ish Hai.” It is very likely both sages read from the scroll for their congregations.

    The poor security situation in Iraq – and fears of murder and kidnapping by Islamists among Iraq’s few remaining Jews – has generated concerns rioters may target the remaining synagogue and its treasures, including the Torah scroll.

    Kept in the Beit-Zilkain Baghdad, the Torah was removed to safety with covert US military aid – and will leave Iraq for Israel in the coming days.

    On Tuesday next week, the Torah will be inducted to the Beer Hana synagogue in Netanya under the auspices of Tzfat Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, whose family came from Bagdad.


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    11 Comments
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    Aryeh
    Aryeh
    12 years ago

    This is not the only one of these in America at present. Several others have quietly been rescued since the invasion of Iraq. Incredibly beautiful gevil.

    bored
    bored
    12 years ago

    I’ve had this conversation before and never got a definitive answer, was his last name Chaim or was that just a second name and we don’t know his family name?

    The-Macher
    The-Macher
    12 years ago

    Iraqi Jews did not have last names until recently. His name could have been Yosef Chaim, or Chaim may have been his father’s name. Rav Ovadia Yosef’s name is his name and his father’s name; his male children would have been called (first name followed by) Ovadia a generation ago in Iraq.

    Same as lehavdil Saddam Hussein YMS. Hussein was his father’s name.

    Wise-Guy
    Wise-Guy
    12 years ago

    The name “Chaim” is apparently both, his given name, and it served as a family name too.
    Which means that when he was called up to the Torah, he was calles by both names.

    bored
    bored
    12 years ago

    See this is why i’m still confused. Thank you all for the answers though. Hey number three, found Chaim yet?

    alterknaker
    alterknaker
    12 years ago

    I just wsnder if israel will charge taxes to bring it in to the country, like they did when someone not to long ago brought in a torah from yemen in fear that the vandals in yemen will destroy it?

    alterknaker
    alterknaker
    12 years ago

    I just wsnder if israel will charge taxes to bring it in to the country, like they did when someone not to long ago brought in a torah from yemen in fear that the vandals in yemen will destroy it?