Clutching the casket’s opening, he declared, “Our great rav the Chida, I’m incapable of this task, please arrange it on your own!”
Born into an aristocratic home in the Sephardic Old Yishuv of Yerushalayim, Rav Chaim Yosef David Azulai (1724–1806), known by his acronym, the Chida, would gain renown throughout the Jewish world of his day and beyond. Rabbi, kabbalist, and brilliant talmid chacham, the Chida had historic impact due both to his unmatched literary output, and to his decades-long career as a shadar — fundraiser in both Europe and North Africa.
Initially dispatched by the Sephardic Jewish community of Chevron in 1752, he’d seldom return to his homeland for the remainder of his life. Together with his fundraising duties, he also served as a rabbi for several Jewish communities of the diaspora, and utilized the opportunity to get acquainted with rabbinical leaders across the spectrum.
He also pursued his bibliographical hobby, perusing libraries and archives. Along the way he recorded his analysis of Jewish history, as well as a diary of his travels; both continue to serve as invaluable resources on Jewish life of the 18th century.
In 1772 he began a journey from which he’d never return. The northern Italian city of Livorno prevailed upon him to serve as their spiritual guide, while he engaged in an intensive project to publish his many works. He was buried in Livorno upon his passing in 1806.
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