Rabbi Chaim ben Atar zt"l
Author: Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh, Pri Toar, Rishon Letzion
15 Tammuz 5503 (1743)
The sultan arrived just in time to prevent a massacre. In a fit of fury, he ordered that his rebellious vizier be killed. The Jews of Morocco breathed freely once more, thanking Hashem for the great miracle.
One week, in the area of Sali, Morocco, a plague broke out amongst the cattle. As a result, all the slaughtered animals were found to be treif – unkosher. Only one calf was "kosher glatt" acceptable without question, and that was the one slaughtered specifically for the Tzaddik, the Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh.
When one of the wealthy men in the city heard about this, he rushed to the Ohr Hachaim’s house, hoping to get some meat for Shabbos. He offered an enormous price for a piece, but the Ohr Hachaim refused, saying, "This is not a butcher shop, the meat is reserved for the poor Torah scholars of our city." Indeed, every week it was his custom to distribute meat to the poor Torah scholars Lekoved Shabbos.
While they were speaking, one of Rabbi Chaim's "customers" walked in. Upset, the rich man exclaimed, "Huh! Is this a Talmid Chacham?" The Ohr Hachaim ignored his comment and gave the scholar his portion. The rich man realized the futileness of his endeavor, and stalked out in anger.
That night, the Ohr Hachaim had a dream in which he was told from Heaven that since he had not protested against the embarrassment of a Talmid Chacham, he would have to go into exile for a full year. Immediately, Rabbi Chaim packed his few belongings and set out on his long journey, traveling from one town or village to another, making sure not to sleep two nights in the same place. He often went to sleep hungry, yet he accepted his pain with love and prayed to the Hashem to forgive him for his sin.
One Friday many months later, the Ohr Hachaim found himself on the outskirts of a city. He sat down on a stone to rest his weak body and reflected on the first verse of the Parsha Bechukosai. When he continued walking towards the city, deep in thought, forty two original explanations of this verse occurred to him (printed in the Ohr Hachaim commentary on Chumash Bechukosai!)
Later, when he arrived in town, he went directly to the local shul. The shamash [caretaker] invited him to his home for Shabbos dinner. At the conclusion of the Friday night meal, the shamash told his guest of the local custom to join the meal at the house of the Rabbi of the city. So they went together, joining the throngs already gathered, waiting to hear the Rabbi's pearls of wisdom.
When the time came and all eyes turned towards the head of the table, the Rabbi was still sitting quietly. After a few more moments, he roused himself and began to speak. He transmitted fourteen brilliant explanations on the first verse of the weekly Parsha. He then concluded, "These explanations I just heard in Heaven, in the name of the holy Tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim ben Atar."
"Chaim ben Atar (not Rabbi)," the unknown guest called out. All eyes turned to see who had the chutzpa to dishonor the Ohr Hachaim, and were prepared to punish him. However, the shamash, feeling responsible for his guest, requested them to leave the poor man alone.
At the conclusion of his Shabbos day meal, the Rabbi expounded on a second set of fourteen interpretations, saying that these too he had heard in Heaven in the name of the holy Tzaddik, Rabbi Chaim ben Atar. The same scenario repeated itself. Again the anonymous guest called out, “Chaim ben Atar," heightening the anger of the townsmen.
Before Shale shedos, the shamash warned his guest to behave properly. But to no avail. The scene repeated itself a third time. This time the townspeople decided to lock the disrespectful guest in a room until after Shabbos, and to keep him locked up until fitting measures would be decided upon.
That night, a sudden strong storm swept through the city, causing much damage. The townspeople franticly rushed to the Rabbi for his prayer and blessing. The Rabbi told them that he had just been informed from Heaven that Gehinom closes on Shabbos, and it does not reopen on Motzaei Shabbos until the Ohr Hachaim recites Havdalah. Since the Tzaddik could not make Havdalah, being that he is currently locked in a room, a great uproar ensued above, which is the cause of such a harrowing storm below.
Upon hearing this and realizing their mistake, the townsmen immediately released their holy guest from his confinement. Rabbi Chaim understood that this was his sign that his repentance had been accepted in Heaven, and the next day set out to return back home.
The Sultan and the Vizier
If the wicked vizier would have had his way, there would have been no Jews in Morocco. He hated the Jews, but, although he was very powerful, there was little he could do. For the sultan showed favor towards his Jewish subjects and would not let the vizier harm them.
The cruel vizier bided his time, until finally a fitting opportunity arose. The sultan had decided to travel to the distant provinces of his land, leaving him in charge of affairs. The vizier prepared a trumped up charge against the Jews of the capital and incited the Muslem population to attack the Jewish quarter. The bloodthirsty Arabs did not need much of an excuse.
The sultan had, meanwhile, reached the city of Meknes where the Ohr HaChayim HaKadosh lived. The Ohr HaChaim had become aware from Heaven of the danger threatening his brethren and wished to avert it. He went to the palace where the sultan was staying and asked for an audience. He was refused.
"Tell the king that I have brought him a gift for his birthday, but that I insist on giving it to him personally."
His curiosity aroused, the sultan gave instructions for the Jew to be brought before him. The Ohr Hachaim bowed and took out a small mirror from his case. "This is my gift to Your Majesty. It is a mirror with special powers. Just look into it, and you will see."
The sultan gazed into the small looking glass and his eyes grew round with wonder. There was the capital, his palace, his throne, and the vizier was sitting on it as if he were sultan! A heavy scowl suffused his features as he ordered his servants to prepare for his immediate return home.
