Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad

Years: 1835–1909

Primary city: Baghdad

Biography

Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, known by the title of his work Ben Ish Chai, was a leading Sephardic halachic decisor and kabbalist. He succeeded his father as the senior rabbinic leader of Baghdad and exerted influence through his writings. His work Ben Ish Chai is structured as sermons that integrate halachic rulings with kabbalistic insights. His literary output also includes the responsa collection Shu"t Rav Pe'alim and the Talmudic commentary Ben Yehoyada.

Works

  • Ben Ish Chai
  • Shu"t Rav Pe'alim
  • Ben Yehoyada
  • Od Yosef Chai

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