Ninety-nine years have passed since the passing of the famous Torah giant Hacham Yoseph Hayyim A”H, known as the Ben Ish Hai. Midrash Ben Ish Hai, under the leadership of Hacham Ya’aqob Menashe, commemorated the passing of Hacham Yoseph Hayyim recently at the Edmond J. Safra synagogue in Manahattan.
At the event, Rabbi Menashe announced the opening of project Ben Ish Hai 100, a year-long celebration of community events and activities to commemorate the 100th year of the passing of the Ben Ish Hai.
The event attracted people from near and far, from different backgrounds, origins and age groups. People came from both Sepharadic and Ashkenazi backgrounds. Some came to learn about the Ben Ish Hai. Others who attended, study his works diligently.
There were elderly people, school children and people of all ages in between. A number of important rabbis from different communities honored the event with their presence. As different and varied as the people were, they all shared one common goal and interest: saluting and honoring the man of whom it was said: “A lion has ascended from Babylon.”
The evening opened with live music, delicious food and a video presentation of the Midrash Ben Ish Hai men and boys’ choir. The choir sang a few songs written by Hacham Yoseph Hayyim A”H. One of the Hacham’s most famous songs is one commonly sung on Simchat Torah: “Mippi E-l.” Not many people are aware that Hacham Yoseph Hayyim was the author of this song, which is loved by many.
The evening ended with a fiery speech delivered by Rabbi Ya’aqob Menashe. He announced the start of project Ben Ish Hai 100, starting on 13th Elul 5769. During this year, there will be numerous events and initiatives which will promote, educate and create awareness of the spiritual legacy of Hacham Yoseph Hayyim. These activities will be taking place worldwide. Some of the participating countries are England, Australia, Israel and India.
One such initiative is a new website called ATorahMinute.com, which provides a different Halacha or other pearl of Torah wisdom each day. For the first year, the website will be dedicated exclusively to the teachings of the Ben Ish Hai.
Additional activities include learning groups for men and women, who will be engaged in studying different works of the Ben Ish Hai who wrote books on a multitude of topics, including Halacha, Mussar, Midrash and Kabbalah. Children will be exposed to workshops and learn about the life of this great Hacham and his legacy. Midrash Ben Ish Hai is looking for people who are willing to be leaders in their communities and be affiliated with the Midrash and its project.
Rabbi Menashe kept the audience captivated with stories about the Ben Ish Hai and words of Torah from his teachings.
Midrash Ben Ish Hai would like to extend an invitation to join the 100th Hillula which will be held, G-d willing, on September 1, 2009. We hope that this year, leading to the 100th anniversary, will help promote spiritual growth in many communities, here and abroad.
May the soul of Hacham Yoseph Hayyim A”H intercede for all Israel. Amen.
