1714–1761 According to tradition he saved Rabat from a tsunami caused by the Lisbon earthquake in 1755. His commentaries on the Talmud, were written while he was still a youth, and are noteworthy for their chochmah & chiddush. His works were published posthumously by his grandson Yosef including: Magen Gibborim, on the Talmud (2 vols., Leghorn, 1781–85); Milchemet Mitzvah, also on the Talmud (Leghorn, 1805) and including derashos entitled Chesed ve-Emet; Be'er Mayim Chayyim, responsa (Leghorn, 1806); Ma'yan Gannim, on the Turim. Another part of his responsa, entitled She'elot u-Teshuvot de-Rav Adda, and a work on the Tanach, remain in manuscript. His responsa are a valuable source of information on the condition of the Jews of Morocco in the 18th century.
Avila was a prolific writer, and among his manuscripts were found notes dating from his sixteenth year. After his death the following of his works appeared: "Magen Gibborim" (The Shield of the Mighty), Leghorn, 1781-85, in two volumes; the first containing novellæ to the treatises, Bava Meẓi'a and Horayot; the second, novellæ to the treatises Ketubot and Kiddushin. "Milchemet Mitsvah" (The War for the Law), ib., 1806, containing the principles of the Talmudic and post-Talmudic Halakah. Some eulogies & hesedim are appended under the title "Chesed we-Emet" (Kindness and Truth). "Be'er Mayyim Ḥayyim" (A Well of Living Waters), ib., 1806, consisting of thirty-six responsa, treating of questions relating to jurisprudence and cases of 'Agunah. "Ma'yan Gannim" (A Fountain of Gardens), explanations and elucidations of Rabbeinu Yaacov ben Yeḥiel's "Arba Turim," especially of the second and third parts (ib., 1806).
Avila left one child, a daughter, who married her cousin Shlomo de Avila, a man of wealth and a distinguished Talmudist. The sons by this marriage, Moshe and Shmuel, were successors of their grandfather, both being rabbis and Talmudic teachers in Rabat. Yoseph de Avila, son of Moses, was the publisher of the works of his great-grandfather Eliezer.
He passed away on Feb. 7, 1761 and was laid to rest in Rabat. To this day the Jews of Morocco go on pilgrimage to his grave.
