Hacham Ovadia Yavetz


Hacham Ovadia Yavetz

לידה: תרפ"ב, 1922
פטירה: יב שבט תשע"א, 2011
החכם היומי, מאגר מידע על חכמי יהדות ספרד
A Short Tribute

Hacham Ovadia Yavetz, son of Yaakov, was born circa 1922 in Sa'dah, Yemen. As a child he learned Torah from his father and grandfather. By the age of 20 he had been ordained to the rabbinate, and was serving as a shochet and mohel. His grandfather died in 1941, and Hacham Ovadia Yavetz's father replaced him as president of the rabbinic court of Sa'dah and its surrounding region. A short time later, his father died as well, and Hacham Ovadia Yavetz replaced him in his position, becoming the rabbi of Sa'dah and its surrounding region.

In 1949 Hacham Ovadia Yavetz organized his community for its immigration to Israel. He reached the immigrant camps in Aden and, from there, immigrated to Israel. He left for Yemen in 1959 as an emissary of the Jewish Agency to encourage Jewish immigration.

In 1960, Hacham Ovadia Yavetz was appointed rabbi of Kiryat Eqron. He filled this role for fifty years, until his death. Hacham Ovadia Yavetz was famous for his humility, honesty and moderate approach.

Hacham Ovadia Yavetz passed away on 12 Shevat, 5771 (2011) and was buried in Kiryat Eqron.

Hacham Ovadia Yavetz is the author of Afikei Ma'im – original commentary on the Torah, Sefat Yeshenim – responsa on Halakha of ritual slaughter and treifot, Darkei No'am – responsa, and Sa'dah and its Surrounding Region – a History of the Jews of Yemen.

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Redemption of Israel
in which he tells of the organization of immigration to Israel from the high mountains of the West

We began to organize the immigrants from Sa'dah in large groups for the purpose of their immigration. During the activists' meetings we decided that Rabbi Moshe Amar, Yaakov Amar, of blessed memory, and I would travel to western Yemen, to the land of the high mountains, to share the news of the redemption with our brethren and encourage them to immigrate… Praise be the LORD, all residents of the region were convinced by our words, and accepted to leave Yemen and immigrate to the Land of Israel. They explained to us that they would undertake this holy mission once they had severed business ties with their Arab neighbors and after selling their property. One should mention that the land of the West benefits from ample rains and is known for its high agricultural yield… Also, our brethren lived in security among our cousins, the sons of Ismael. These precious Jews nevertheless agreed to leave their property behind and to set out for a journey towards the unknown, all in order to fulfill a prayer thousands of years old.

Hacham Ovadia Yavetz, The Jews of Sa'dah and its Surrounding Region, pp. 124 – 125, The Committee for the Publication of Rabbi Ovadia's Books, Ahavat Teiman Publishing, Kiryat Eqron, 2012 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” (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).