Hacham Nissim Haim Moshe Modai


Hacham Nissim Haim Moshe Modai

Date of Birth: (0)
Date of Death: 26th of Iyar, 5651 (1891)
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A Short Tribute

Hacham Nissim Haim Moshe Modai was born in Izmir, Turkey. Learned in Torah and in the rulings by sages of ancient times, he presided over Izmir's rabbinic court.

Hacham Nissim Haim Moshe Modai passed away on 26 Iyar, 5651 (1891). He authored the following books: Drisha M'Haim – sermons on various topics, and Meimar Haim – Responsa, printed in Hacham Haim Modai's book, Haim L'Olam.

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Heritage of the Fathers
in which he teaches to do the compassionate deed of gathering and publishing the Torah learning of our parents
After the decease of his master and teacher, his father, may he rest in peace, whose writings were consumed by fire, he determinedly toiled with his own ten fingers to publish a book of his oral Torah learning, sweet as a honeycomb, from what was inscribed in his memory. This is no trifling matter, for after the book had been entirely lost, he had it returned to us. He will certainly be fully rewarded by the God of Israel with a long life, until he reaches the world of perfection, for having fulfilled the commandment of honoring one's father and mother – honoring him while he was alive and honoring him after his decease, true honor. If on the matter of all other people they said that a compassionate act done towards the deceased is a true act of compassion, this is all the more the case when one acts compassionately towards one's parents; printing their Torah learning surely merits a doubled and redoubled reward.
Hacham Nissim Haim Moshe Modai, Drisha M'Haim, p. 178b, Haim Abraham De Sigora Press, Izmir 1888 From 'The Daily Sage'
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"It is our custom to light a yahrzeit candle in honor of the memory of the Sages, as it is said: “the life breath of man is the lamp of the Lord”. And it is good to add from the light of the Torah to the light of the candle, as it is said “For the commandment is a lamp, the teaching is a light”.

But even a few righteous are also good, and thanks to the sacred Torah and the teachings that Israel will learn in the Sage’s name on the anniversary of his death, the Holy One Blessed be He, will share our part with them, and we will never be ashamed because of our faith in the Holy One Blessed be He, and on his great benevolence and truth will we lean, for He hides his abundant goodness for those who are worthy and revere Him.”

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Rabbi Chananaia son of Akashia stated, God wanted to grant merits to Israel, therefore he gave them many laws and commandments as it states, "Because God wants righteousness he increased the amount of Torah and splendor."