Rav Meir Abuchatzeira, zt”l, the eldest son of the saintly Baba Sali, zt”l, was one of the great chachamim and tzaddikim of Morocco. Like his father and holy ancestors, he excelled in Torah and avodas Hashem and was renowned as a God-fearing and learned sage.
After his aliyah to Eretz Yisrael alongside his father, Rav Meir was deeply shaken by the spiritual decline he observed, especially among the secular population who rebelled against Hashem and His Torah. He was particularly disturbed by the lack of modesty and widespread immodesty in the streets. Having been accustomed to the great modesty of the women in Morocco, who would flee to hide themselves respectfully at the sight of a Jewish talmid chacham, the stark contrast in Israel pained him greatly.
Initially, Baba Meir considered returning to Morocco to resume the pure and modest life he had known. However, after consulting with his father, the Baba Sali, his father dissuaded him, assuring him that the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael would shield him and enable him to ascend spiritually through Torah and fear of Heaven more effectively than in the Diaspora.
The Baba Sali further explained that the spiritual strength of Moroccan Jewry might not continue as in past generations, as many of its chachamim and devout individuals were making aliyah to Eretz Yisrael or emigrating elsewhere. Meanwhile, the God-fearing community in Yisrael was growing stronger, and Rav Meir could establish a yeshivah and grow in his Torah study with peace of mind.
Indeed, over the years, Baba Sali’s foresight was proven correct, as Moroccan Jewry experienced a weakening of its religious vitality.
Rav Meir told his talmidim that it was very difficult for him to accept his father’s advice because of the challenging sights in the streets, even though he never looked at or glanced at them in any way. Nevertheless, he felt bound by the mitzvah of honoring his father and submitting to his will.
Rav Meir established a beis midrash in Ashdod, where he was mostly confined to his holy home and study. He rarely ventured outside, safeguarding his sanctity and purity while fulfilling the mitzvah of honoring his father, as it says: Honor your father.
