Hacham Uriel Davidi
Encyclopedia
Hacham Uriel Davidi Khansari (1922- December 24, 2006) was a famous Jewish (Judæo-Khunsari) religious leader and theologian, who was born in Khansar (Iran
) and died in the Neve Yaakov
section of Jerusalem, Israel
, where he had spent the last 12 years of is life. He was descended from a long line of rabbis who preceded him in leading the Jewish community in Iran. Born to Hacham Meir Davidi, he continued the tradition of a learned scholar and after moving to Tehran, became a more prominent community leader in his own rite. In the late 1970s, Davidi along with the late chief rabbi, Hacham Yedidia Shofet
made annual visits to the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
, as representatives of the Jewish community. In 1979, shortly after the Islamic revolution, Davidi and Shofet along with a few other members of the Jewish community of Tehran met with the new leadership of the Islamic Republic in order to preserve the rights of the Jewish community.
Hacham Uriel Davidi served as the chief rabbi
of Iran
after Hacham Shofet left, from 1980 to 1994. On January 17, 1994, he moved to Jerusalem, Israel
.
One of his sons is Rabbi Nissim Davidi, the Kashrut
Administrator of the Rabbinical Council of California
in Los Angeles
, California
. He is also certified mohel
like his father and paternal grandfather were before him.
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
) and died in the Neve Yaakov
Neve Yaakov
Neve Yaakov also Neve Ya'aqov, , is a neighborhood located in northeastern Jerusalem, north of Pisgat Ze'ev and south of al-Ram. Established in 1924 during the period of the British Mandate, it was abandoned during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War...
section of Jerusalem, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, where he had spent the last 12 years of is life. He was descended from a long line of rabbis who preceded him in leading the Jewish community in Iran. Born to Hacham Meir Davidi, he continued the tradition of a learned scholar and after moving to Tehran, became a more prominent community leader in his own rite. In the late 1970s, Davidi along with the late chief rabbi, Hacham Yedidia Shofet
Yedidia Shofet
Yedidia Shofet was the former Chief Rabbi of Iran and the worldwide spiritual leader of Persian Jewry.-Early Life and Biography:...
made annual visits to the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, Shah of Persia , ruled Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979...
, as representatives of the Jewish community. In 1979, shortly after the Islamic revolution, Davidi and Shofet along with a few other members of the Jewish community of Tehran met with the new leadership of the Islamic Republic in order to preserve the rights of the Jewish community.
Hacham Uriel Davidi served as the chief rabbi
Chief Rabbi
Chief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities...
of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
after Hacham Shofet left, from 1980 to 1994. On January 17, 1994, he moved to Jerusalem, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
.
One of his sons is Rabbi Nissim Davidi, the Kashrut
Kashrut
Kashrut is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha is termed kosher in English, from the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the Hebrew term kashér , meaning "fit" Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus) is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha (Jewish law) is termed...
Administrator of the Rabbinical Council of California
Rabbinical Council of California
The Rabbinical Council of California is the primary representative body of Orthodox Judaism in California. Its three primary areas of operation are overseeing Kashrut certification in the state, maintaining a Beit Din and community liaison....
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He is also certified mohel
Mohel
A mohel is a Jewish person trained in the practice of brit milah "covenant of circumcision."-Etymology of the Hebrew and Aramaic term:...
like his father and paternal grandfather were before him.