Rabbi Avraham Azulai lived in Chevron. In Chevron the Arabs had the custom to go and pray by Me’aras Hamachpelah (the Burial Place of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs) on Fridays. One Friday there was a Pasha from Istanbul. The Pasha was very curious to see inside the cave so he looked over the hole. As he was stretching over his sword of honor fell off his waist in to the cave. It was no ordinary sword. It was covered with gold and diamonds.
The Pasha ordered the local Arabs to go into the cave and bring him his sword back. But as soon as the Arabs entered the cave they died. So, the Pasha decreed that the Jews have to fetch his sword and return it to him. He gave them three days. The Jewish community was at loss what to do.
They cast a lottery to see who will be the one that has to enter the cave. The lottery came out that Rabbi Avraham Azulai is the one that has to go. He went to immerse himself in the Mikvah and then spent the whole night studying and giving Shiurei Torah in Kabbala all about Avraham Avinu. At dawn he turned to the community and begged they should pray for him that he returns alive and safely.
He was lowered with a rope into the cave, picked up the sword and gave it to someone who was above outside the cave. He then started walking around the cave and suddenly he was approached by someone. Out of fear he screamed Shema Yisrael.
The man told him that he is Eliezer the servant of Avraham Avinu. He asked Rabbi Avraham how he got there? Rabbi Avraham told him the story of the sword. Eliezer then told Rabbi Avraham to wait while he asks permission for him to enter inside the cave. When he was allowed inside he merited to see the Avos – the holy Patriarchs, Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov.
The burial place of Rabbi Avraham Azulai in Hebron
Rabbi Avraham was so engulfed with the holiness around him that he didn’t want to leave. But the Avos told him he has to leave and tomorrow he will leave this world and can join them again.
The Jews of Chevron were already getting very worried as Rabbi Avraham took so long to come out. But finally, he appeared at the entrance of the cave and they pulled him back out with the rope. Rabbi Avraham told them what happened and informed them that he will die the next day. That night he spent learning and giving Shiurei Torah on Kabbalah.
The next morning Friday Erev Parshas Chayei Sarah, 24 Cheshvan 5404 he went to the Mikva to immerse himself, he put on white shrouds, said Shema and passed away.
When Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzira, the Baba Sali came to Eretz Yisrael there was a big Kabalas Panim in his honor. Many great Rabbanim and Mekubalim attened in the honor of Babi Sali. The Baba Sali asked the name of some who attended. The man replied that his name was Avraham Wilhelm and he is a descendent of the Chida.
The Baba Sali’s face lit up and he started giving great respect to Reb Avraham. The Baba Sali explained that his grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Abuchatzira, the Abir Yaakov was born in the merit of a blessing from the grandfather of the Chida, Rabbi Avraham Azulai, the Chessed Le’Avraham and this descendant was called after his great grandfather. Out of gratitude he honored him in return.
Reprinted from the Parshas Chayei Sarah 5786 email of Rabbi Dovid Caro’s Inspired by a Story.
