Hacham Shlomo Mazouz


Hacham Shlomo Mazouz

Date of Birth: 5668 (1908)
Date of Death: 25th of Tevet, 5742 (1982)
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A Short Tribute

Hacham Shlomo Mazouz, son of Hacham Menachem Mazouz, was born in 1908 on the island of Djerba. He officiated as a rabbi and dayan in Djerba. Between 1935 and 1936 he published the Mekatziel journal on original commentary on Halakha and Talmud. He immigrated to Israel in 1956 and settled in Netivot. Once in Israel, he refused to work as a rabbi and made a living running a sewing supplies shop, thus earning the respect of Netivot's residents.

Hacham Shlomo Mazouz had nine children, among whom were Rabbi Yehezkel Mazouz - a rabbi in Netivot, Manny Mazouz – a Supreme Court judge, Yemima Mazouz – legal counsel to the Ministry of Finance and Shula Ben-Zvi – Director of the Israel Land Authority.

His son, Manny Mazouz, testifies that his father was a cultured person with a liberal and tolerant attitude, who held that people are each responsible for their actions and that all people, including his own children, have the right to choose their own direction and shape their own worldview in keeping with their understanding.

Hacham Shlomo Mazouz passed away on 25 Tevet, 5742 (1982).

Hacham Shlomo Mazouz authored many books, including Kerem Shalom – Halakhot governing interest, Hesheq Shlomo, in two parts – original commentary on the Talmud, Sho'el U'Meshiv – Responsa in four parts corresponding to the four parts of the Shulchan Aruch, and Kiseh Shlomo – a book of Responsa and original commentary on the Shulchan Aruch.

"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” (Proverbs 20:27). 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” (Proverbs 6:23). And it is good to increase the teaching of the Sage on the anniversary of his death, as Rabbi Yochanan based on the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai said, “Each scholar whose sayings are taught in this world, his lips speak from the grave (Bechorot 31B).”

“Even if all of the skies are a blank parchment, and all human beings are clerks, and all of the forests are quills, we would never be able to write down what our Sages have taught us. 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." (Isaiah 42:21).