Yaakov Chaim Sofer

Yaakov Chaim Sofer

Yaakov Chaim Sofer (1870-1939) (Hebrew: יעקב חיים סופר) was an Orthodox rabbi, Kabbalist, Talmudist and posek ("decisor of Torah law"). Sofer is author of the work of "halakha" ("Jewish law") titled "Kaf hachaim", by which title he is also known.

Biography

Sofer was born in Baghdad. He studied there under great Sephardi sages such as Yosef Chaim ("the "Ben Ish Chai") and Abdallah Somech. In 1904, he journeyed to Palestine, in order to pray at the graves of "tzaddikim" ("the righteous"). After visiting Jerusalem, he decided to settle there permanently. He studied in the Bet El yeshiva in the old city of Jerusalem, well-known for the study of kabbalah; and in 1909, he moved to the newly founded "Shoshanim leDavid" yeshiva. It was here that he composed his works.

Rabbi Sofer authored several works of halakha as well as aggadah. His books are known for discussing the original traditions of Iraqi Jews and are studied to this day. Rabbi Chaim was well-known for his role in working on behalf of Torah education in Jerusalem. His great grandson founded two yeshivot in his memory: "Kaf Hachaim" and "Torat Yaakov".

Works

Kaf Hachaim (כף החיים) is a monumental work, considered a classic by both the Sephardi and Ashkenazi communities. In this work, Rabbi Sofer discusses the Halakha in light of the Rishonim and Acharonim. "Kaf Hachaim", usually published in ten volumes, covers Orach Chayim (8 vol.) and parts of Yoreh De'ah (2 vol.); it is often compared to the Mishna Berura in terms of scope and approach, but differs therefrom in its more extensive reliance upon quotations. This work also surveys the views of many kabbalistic sages (particularly Isaac Luria), when these impact the Halakha. "Shinun Halacha" is a work summarising the Halakhic conclusions presented in "Kaf Hachaim".

In addition to the Kaf Hachaim, Rabbi Chayim authored:
*"Kol Yaakov": on the laws of writing torah scrolls, tefillin, and mezuzot, as well as on the tefillin in general
*"Yagel Yaakov": a compendium of Shabbat "drashot" (sermons) delivered while in mourning for his father
*"Yismach Yisrael": novellae on the parsha - the weekly Torah reading.

ee also

*Ben Ish Chai, by Rabbi Yosef Chaim, a contemporaneous Sephardi work of Halakha incorporating Kabbalistic teachings.
*Yalkut Yosef, a contemporary Sephardi work of Halakha, based on the rulings of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

References

* [http://www.famousrabbis.com/kaf.htm Kaf Hachaim - Rav Yaakov Chaim Sofer] , famousrabbis.com
* [http://www.sephardivic.org/rabbi-sofer.html Rabbi Yaakov Sofer] , Sephardi Organisation of Victoria Inc, Australia


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Chaim Sofer — Not to be confused with Yaakov Chaim Sofer, the Iraqi rabbi and author of Kaf Hachayim Chaim Sofer (also known as the Machne Chaim, the name of his responsa) (September 29, 1821 June 28, 1886[1]) was a renowned Hungarian rabbi[2] and scholarly… …   Wikipedia

  • Sofer (disambiguation) — Sofer can refer to:*A sofer is a ritual scribe in Judaism.* Soferet is a documentary about Aviel Barclay, a female scribePeople named Sofer: * Jekuthiel Sofer, an 18th century Jewish scribe from Amsterdam * Moses Sofer, a rabbi, also known by the …   Wikipedia

  • Yaakov Lorberbaum — Yaakov ben Moshe Lorberbaum of Lissa (1760 1832) (known in English as Jacob ben Jacob Moses of Lissa or Jacob Lorberbaum or Jacob Lisser, Hebrew: יעקב בן משה מליסא) was a Rabbi and Posek. He is known as the Ba al HaNesivos for his most well known …   Wikipedia

  • Posek — (Hebrew: פוסק‎ [poˈseq], pl. Poskim, פוסקים) is the term in Jewish law for decider a legal scholar who decides the Halakha in cases of law where previous authorities are inconclusive or in those situations where no halakhic precedent exists. The… …   Wikipedia

  • List of rabbis — This is a list of prominent rabbis. Rabbis are Judaism s spiritual and religious leaders. See also : List of Jews.Rabbis: Pre Mishnaic ( Tannaim ): See Mishnah, Tannaim .* Shimon Hatzadik * Antigonus of SokhoRabbis: Pre Mishnaic ( Tannaim ) (… …   Wikipedia

  • Ovadia Yosef — עובדיה יוסף Ovadia Yosef, 2007 Born September 23, 1920 (1920 09 23) (age 91) Basra, Iraq …   Wikipedia

  • Mount of Olives — Mount Olivet redirects here. For other uses, see Mount Olivet (disambiguation). Mount of Olives The Mount of Olives (also Mount Olivet, Hebrew: הר הזיתים‎, Har HaZeitim; Arabic: جبل الزيتون, الطور‎, Jebel az Zeitun) is a mountain ridg …   Wikipedia

  • Halakha — Part of a series on …   Wikipedia

  • Ben Ish Chai — Yosef Chaim (1 September, 1832 – 30 August, 1909) (Hebrew: יוסף חיים מבגדאד) was a leading Hakham (Sephardic Rabbi), authority on Jewish law (Halakha) and Master Kabbalist. He is best known as author of the work of Halakha Ben Ish Chai ( Son of… …   Wikipedia

  • Mishnah Berurah — (Hebrew: Clarified Teaching‎, a reference to the portion in Deuteronomy where Israel is commanded to inscribe God s commandments in large clear writing on a mountainside) is a work of halakha (Jewish law) by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, better known …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”