"And She May Marry Whomever She Wishes" – A Letter in the Handwriting of 'Baba Haki, ' Brother of 'Baba Sali'

"And She May Marry Whomever She Wishes" – A Letter in the Handwriting of 'Baba Haki, ' Brother of 'Baba Sali'

A marriage authorization, handwritten by the holy and renowned tzaddik, Rabbi Yitzchak Abuchatzeira, known as Baba Haki, brother of Baba Sali, and Chief Rabbi of Ramla and Lod. Ramla, 22 Tevet 5710 [1950].

As is well known, handwritten documents and signatures of tzaddikim, especially their holy signatures, are often considered to have protective and spiritual powers. This letter contains the mystical words: "And she may marry whomever she wishes", written on the official letterhead of the tzaddik, entirely in his sacred handwriting, with his signature and personal stamp.

Aside from being a towering Torah scholar, serving as Chief Rabbi of two major cities simultaneously, Baba Haki was also renowned as a heavenly kabbalist, much like his brother, Baba Sali, who was five years his senior. Some of his extraordinary miraculous stories appear in the book Sidna Baba Haki (Jerusalem, 2010), Chapter 19, "His Blessings Make an Impact" (pp. 357–370).

[1] Leaf. 22×14 cm. Official letterhead. Entirely handwritten, signed, and stamped.

Condition: Good. Age stains. Fold marks. Filing holes.

Biographical Notes

Rabbi Yitzchak Abuchatzeira, 'Sidna Baba Haki' (5655–5730 [1895–1970]), was a renowned tzaddik, miracle worker, and kabbalist, one of the holy sages of the Abuchatzeira dynasty. The son of Rabbi Massoud Abuchatzeira and the brother of Baba Sali, he served as a rabbinic leader in Morocco and, after immigrating to Eretz Yisrael, was appointed Chief Rabbi of Ramla and Lod.

Born in the town of Rissani, Tafilalt Province, Morocco, in 5680 [1920], he moved to the town of Boudenib with his brother Baba Sali, following anti-Jewish decrees in Rissani and the murder of their elder brother, Rabbi David, by the authorities. In 5696 [1936], he moved with his family to Erfoud, then under French rule, where he led the local Jewish community.

In 5705 [1945], he left Morocco and settled in Oran, Algeria, where many Jews from Tafilalt had relocated due to ongoing persecutions. In 5708 [1948], he immigrated to Eretz Yisrael and was appointed Chief Rabbi of Ramla and Lod, also serving as a member of the Chief Rabbinical Council.

Even in Morocco, he was famous for his miracles and blessings, with multitudes seeking his counsel and salvation. One of the most remarkable stories, recounted by his family, describes how two mysterious figures regularly visited his home—a woman on Fridays and a man on Sundays. After his passing, the family turned to Baba Sali for clarification. His answer stunned them:

"The woman was none other than our matriarch Rachel, and the man was none other than the prophet Elijah, who would come to spend time in the presence of our holy father."