This story was heard from the chief Rav of Teverya, Rav Yaakov Chai Zerihan:
When Rav Chaim ben Attar, mechaber of the Ohr HaChaim, arrived in Teverya, he went to the Bais Medrash and found a group of talmidim sitting together and studying under their master and teacher Rav Chaim Abulafia, who sat teaching them Torah and studying with them, supported by many cushions and pillows propped on either side for his comfort.
When the Ohr HaChaim saw all the cushions and pillows, he said quietly to himself in wonder, “Does the Torah deserve this? [How can he relax and disrespect the Torah like that?]”
Rav Chaim Abulafia saw the Ohr HaChaim and immediately called out in a loud voice, “The Chacham Chaim has come to us!” When the Ohr HaChaim approached, Rav Chaim Abulafia rose to his feet and stood to greet him, reciting the pasuk, “Arise before your elders – mipnei seiva sokum,” and they sat and studied together sugyas of Shas. Rav Chaim ben Attar was amazed at Rav Chaim Abulafia’s great scholarship, erudition and breadth of knowledge in Torah. Then Rav Chaim Abulafia told the Ohr HaChaim, “The Torah does deserve this and requires it, due to my advanced age and weakness!” The Ohr HaChaim then asked his forgiveness.
Afterward, they left together to the kever of the Tanna Rav Akiva and, not to waste time, they rented an animal to take Rav Chaim Abulafia, who was some ninety-three years old at the time. When they arrived at the cave of the Tanna, Rav Abulafia dismounted from the donkey and they honored one another to enter first. Rav Chaim ben Attar sat and wept, “Woe are we that both Moshiachs have arrived here together at the right time!”
A great fog and mist crept over them and hid them from view. Whisperings and low conversation between them were heard as they both wept quietly. Those present later surmised that it was revealed to both Rav Chaims that they would pass away, one a year after the other. And so it was, that due to our sins Rav Chaim ben Attar passed away on the fifteenth of Tammuz 5503 and Rav Chaim Abulafia in Nissan of that following year 5504. (Hillula Kadisha p. 308 cited from Yalkut Yosef p. 42)
