Hayim David HaLevi
Encyclopedia
Rabbi Hayim David HaLevi (24 January 1924 – 10 March 1998), also written Haim David ha-Levi, etc. (הרב חיים דוד הלוי),
was Sephardi Chief Rabbi
of Tel Aviv
-Jaffa
. He was born in Jerusalem and studied under Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel
at the Porat Yosef Yeshiva
. When R. Uziel was appointed Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, he hired R. HaLevi as his personal secretary and as a close student. He then served as the rabbi of various cities in Israel:
R. HaLevi was known for his clear-headed approach to halakha
, particularly those relating to the Jewish state. Though unquestionably tied to Sephardi minhag
, liturgy and halakha, R. HaLevi also includes Ashkenazi halakhic positions and customs in his books and responsa.
was Sephardi 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 Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
-Jaffa
Jaffa
Jaffa is an ancient port city believed to be one of the oldest in the world. Jaffa was incorporated with Tel Aviv creating the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah.-Etymology:...
. He was born in Jerusalem and studied under Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel
Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel
Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel was the Sephardi chief rabbi of the British Mandate of Palestine from 1939 to 1948, and of Israel from 1948 to 1954.-Biography:...
at the Porat Yosef Yeshiva
Porat Yosef Yeshiva
Porat Yosef Yeshiva is a leading Sephardic yeshiva in Jerusalem, Israel, with locations in both the Old City and the Geula neighborhood.-History:...
. When R. Uziel was appointed Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, he hired R. HaLevi as his personal secretary and as a close student. He then served as the rabbi of various cities in Israel:
- Romema, JerusalemRomema, JerusalemRomema is a neighbourhood in northwest Jerusalem, Israel, just off the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway at the main entrance to the city...
. - Served in the Israel Defense ForcesIsrael Defense ForcesThe Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
(IDF) during 1948 Arab-Israeli War1948 Arab-Israeli WarThe 1948 Arab–Israeli War, known to Israelis as the War of Independence or War of Liberation The war commenced after the termination of the British Mandate for Palestine and the creation of an independent Israel at midnight on 14 May 1948 when, following a period of civil war, Arab armies invaded... - Rishon Le-Zion (as Chief Rabbi of that city, 1951–1973)
- Israel's Chief Rabbinate Council (beginning in 1964)
- Tel Aviv-Jaffa (beginning in 1973, taking over from R. Ovadia YosefOvadia YosefOvadia Yosef is the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, a recognised Talmudic scholar and foremost halakhic authority.He currently serves as the spiritual leader of the Shas political party in the Israeli parliament...
).
R. HaLevi's books
- Mekor Hayim haShalem, a five-volume account of Jewish law and practice with reasons, in easy language.
- Kitzur Shulchan Arukh Mekor Hayim, a one-volume digest of the above code giving practical conclusions only.
- Aseh L'kha Rav, a collection of responsaResponsaResponsa comprise a body of written decisions and rulings given by legal scholars in response to questions addressed to them.-In the Roman Empire:Roman law recognised responsa prudentium, i.e...
.
R. HaLevi was known for his clear-headed approach to halakha
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
, particularly those relating to the Jewish state. Though unquestionably tied to Sephardi minhag
Minhag
Minhag is an accepted tradition or group of traditions in Judaism. A related concept, Nusach , refers to the traditional order and form of the prayers...
, liturgy and halakha, R. HaLevi also includes Ashkenazi halakhic positions and customs in his books and responsa.
Further reading
- Encyclopaedia Judaica, "Halevi, Hayim David"
- Aseh L'khah Rav 1:23 on the lack of a clear commandment concerning conversion, "Halevi, Hayim David, translated by Jeffrey A. Spitzer (Hebrew and English)
- Urim Publications: Rabbi Haim David Halevy - Gentle Scholar and Courageous Thinker http://www.urimpublications.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=UP&Product_Code=Halevy
See also
- List of Israel Prize recipients