Day of Hilula
Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira
ד׳ בשבט
Netivot, Israel
In Jewish tradition, the day of a tzadik's passing — the 'Hilula' — is not a day of mourning, but a day of spiritual elevation and awakening. According to the teachings of Kabbalah, on this day the soul of the tzadik ascends to a higher realm, and their light and merits shine upon the world. Many Jews mark the day through Torah study, reciting Tehillim, lighting a memorial candle, and good deeds for the elevation of the soul — to connect with the tzadik's path and qualities.
His Life and Legacy
Baba Sali is one of the greatest rabbis and kabbalists of Moroccan Jewry in recent generations, and his figure has become a symbol of tzadikut, asceticism, and love of Israel. His influence extends beyond the borders of Morocco and Israel, reaching Jewish communities around the world. His grave in Netivot is a central pilgrimage site, and the Abuhatzeira family continues to lead and influence in the spirit of his path.