15 Tammuz: The Light of the "Or HaChaim"

The Great Torah Commentator

On 15 Tammuz 5503 (1743), the earthly journey of Rabbi Chaim ben Attar came to an end — one of the greatest sages and kabbalists of his time, author of the famous Torah commentary "Or HaChaim HaKadosh" ("The Light of the Holy Life"). His work became one of the most widely studied Torah commentaries and to this day holds a place of honor on the bookshelves of Jewish scholars throughout the world.

The Deep Respect of the Baal Shem Tov

The Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Chassidic movement, held an extraordinarily deep respect for Rabbi Chaim ben Attar. It is known that the Besht sought to meet him personally, believing that their joint spiritual work could hasten the coming of Mashiach. However, this meeting was not destined to take place. The Baal Shem Tov considered the Or HaChaim not merely a commentary but a work imbued with the holy spirit (ruach hakodesh).

Sensed the Passing from Europe

According to Chassidic tradition, the Baal Shem Tov, who was in Eastern Europe, sensed the moment of passing of Rabbi Chaim ben Attar, who lived in Jerusalem — despite the enormous distance between them. During the Shabbat meal, the Besht suddenly told his students: "The western lamp has been extinguished" — meaning that the great light of Torah that had burned in the Holy Land had gone out. This testimony of the spiritual connection between two great sages became one of the most famous stories in Chassidic tradition.