This week we mark the Hilula of one of the great Torah giants, a descendant of the distinguished Pinto dynasty from Morocco, the tzaddik and miracle-worker, Rabbi Chaim Pinto HaKatan zy"a. The tzaddik Rabbi Chaim zy"a brought merit to the public, both spiritually and materially, not only while he was alive but also after he passed away, by returning the hearts of his people to their Father in heaven.
This week in which we read in the Torah about the exceptional deeds of Avraham Avinu a"h, the pillar of kindness, we will depict a digest of the distinguished personality of the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Pinto zy"a, focusing on his acts of kindness which were only one facet of his exemplary ways and righteousness with which he illuminated the world.
Thousands of people benefitted from the charitable activities of the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Pinto Hakatan. Some were those who donated charity and some were the recipients of his charity. Rabbi Chaim vigorously engaged in gemilut chassadim, one of the pillars that support the world, following in the ways of his Creator, "Who bestows beneficent kindnesses upon His people Israel", by dedicating his entire being in support of the destitute and needy of his town.
His daily schedule began after the Shacharit prayers, when he would visit the grave of his grandfather the tzaddik and mekubal Rabbi Chaim Hagadol, in the old cemetery. He would always mention his name while blessing people, saying, “The merit of my honorable, holy grandfather, should protect you.”
Afterward, he would go to the new cemetery and prostrate himself by the grave of his father, the holy tzaddik Rabbi Yehuda (Hadan) zy"a. Then he would set out in the direction of the stores, to purchase provisions for the poor.
He would instruct his attendant to go to the house of a needy widow or underprivileged family and deliver the food. To some he would send meat and pastries and to others, fruits and vegetables. The attendant distributed the food among the needy, preventing the poor people of the city from starving.
R’ Itzchak Abisror relates that Rabbi Chaim Hakatan called him several times to accompany him on his rounds of collecting money from the people of the city and distributing the charity among the poor. Not everyone merited accompanying Rabbi Chaim when he collected money since it was a special privilege. However, R’ Itzchak was chosen for the mission.
Every Friday, Rabbi Chaim would go and collect food from people so he could distribute it among the poor in honor of Shabbat Kodesh. He would not collect money on Fridays, since he knew that time was limited, and the poor would not have sufficient time to buy provisions for Shabbat. Conversely, on other days, he would collect money and distribute it to the poor.
The impressive image and shining countenance of the tzaddik made a lasting impression on each and every Jew who visited Mogador. Rabbi Chaim Hakatan would sit at the gates of the city and wait for guests arriving from other cities, to grant them the opportunity of sharing in the mitzvah of tzedakah.
There were those who actively searched for Rabbi Chaim, passing in front of him intentionally in order that he request of them to donate a specific sum of money for tzedakah. They believed that if they would fulfill the request of Rabbi Chaim Pinto, they would meet with success and thereafter experience good fortune in all their endeavors.
It was a known fact among the Moroccan Jews that if Rabbi Chaim would bless them for their donation, everything would go well for them that day. Furthermore, they would see wondrous miracles in the coming week.
Complete Joy
During the chagim, and especially before Pesach, when expenses were greater than usual, Rabbi Chaim did not hesitate to burden the wealthy people with supporting the impoverished people. Prior to Pesach, Rabbi Chaim Pinto would go from house to house, asking everyone to open their hearts and pockets to give charity and gladden the hearts of the poor people, widows, and orphans on the upcoming chag. In this way, they could also rejoice during the festival and the happiness of Am Yisrael would be complete.
Anyone who donated money for charity merited the blessings of the tzaddik, emanating from his holy mouth and from the depths of his pure heart.
Washing off Impurity
Rabbi Chaim Hakatan used to bundle the money he collected for charitable purposes in a handkerchief that was specifically designated for this mitzvah. After the stars came out, even before Rabbi Chaim began to learn Torah, he would ritually wash the kerchief that held the money.
When questioned about this custom, the tzaddik explained, “I wash the kerchief from the klippot and contamination of this world. The greatest filth in this world is money. Therefore, after distributing the funds for tzedakah, I wash the kerchief.”
Great is the power of tzaddikim for their good deeds and acts make an impression even after their passing. There is a well-known Chazal that states that relating and delving into stories of tzaddikim is considered as if engaging in the mystical Ma’aseh Merkavah.
