Ḥayim Atar

Ḥayim Atar was born in Salé, Morocco. He later moved to Meknes to join his family’s business. Due to the declining economic and political conditions in Morocco, Atar became convinced that redemption was imminent and resolved to leave for the land of Israel. He arrived in Leghorn (Livorno), Italy in 1739. There he founded a yeshiva and began to preach on the subject of repentance. In 1741, he moved to Acre, along with thirty disciples. He remained there temporarily because of epidemics in Jaffa and Jerusalem, but he later established a yeshiva in Jerusalem that catered to both young students and advanced scholars. He and his students followed ascetic practices and prayed at the graves of saints. In addition to his commentary on the Pentateuch, Or ha-ḥayim (The Light of Life), Atar wrote many responsa—most remaining in manuscript—as well as halakhic works.