🗓️ Luach Hayom – Today in Halacha & Jewish History: 12th Iyar

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📅 Today’s Yahrzeits

🕯️ Rabbi Masʿud ben Rabbi Yaakov Abuchatzera

🕯️Rabbi Yehuda Tzvi ben Rabbi Moshe Steiner

 

👤Their Background[1]

🕯️ Rabbi Masʿud ben Rabbi Yaakov Abuchatzera

(Rissani, Tafilalt – d. 5668 / 1908)

Rabbi Masʿud Abuchatzera was a revered scion of the illustrious Abuchatzera dynasty, the son of Rabbi Yaakov Abuchatzera (the Abir Yaakov), one of the greatest tzaddikim and kabbalists of North Africa. He lived and taught primarily in Rissani, in the Tafilalt region of southeastern Morocco, an area that for generations served as the spiritual heartland of Moroccan Jewry.

Raised in an environment steeped in Torah, kabbalah, and ascetic devotion, Rabbi Masʿud absorbed the unique Abuchatzera synthesis of halachic rigor, mystical depth, and personal holiness. Though less publicly renowned than his father, he was held in great esteem by the Jewish communities of the region as a tzaddik, talmid chacham, and spiritual guide, continuing the sacred family tradition after the passing of the Abir Yaakov.

Rabbi MasĘżud was known for his humility, restraint, and fear of Heaven, preferring a life of quiet avodah over public prominence. Those who sought him out spoke of his refined character, compassionate counsel, and deep spiritual presence, qualities that sustained the reverence accorded to the Abuchatzera name throughout Morocco.

He passed away in 5668 (1908) in Rissani, where his memory remains bound to the enduring legacy of his father and family. The Abuchatzera lineage, transmitted through figures such as Rabbi Masʿud, would later continue through great descendants including Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzera (the Baba Sali), shaping North African and later Eretz‑Yisrael Torah life for generations. His memory is preserved among the righteous of Morocco, whose quiet fidelity fortified Jewish life in times of challenge.

🕯️ Year 5676 (1916) — Passing of the holy Rabbi Yehuda Tzvi ben Rabbi Moshe Steiner
Rabbi Yehuda Tzvi Steiner, brother of the holy Rabbi Yeshaya Steiner of Kerestir, was known for his righteousness and devotion. He passed away in Long Island, at the beginning of the month, and his memory is cherished among those who knew his humility and fear of Heaven. Of blessed memory.

[1] Please not that these historical notes were prepared with the assistance of Copilot Pro, an AI Research Agent, and have not been independently verified.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.