Remembering Rabbi Chaim Palagi: A Legacy in Izmir

Rabbi Chaim Palagi was born in 1788 in Izmir, Turkey, to Rabbi Yaakov Palagi of the Beit Yaakov Rabbi yeshiva and Rebbetzin Kali Kadin, daughter of the Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yosef Raphael ben Chaim Chazan.

In 1807, at the age of 19, Rabbi Palagi married, and by 1813, at just 25 years old, he received the honorary title “Chacham Shalem” from his grandfather, the Rishon LeZion.

During his father Rabbi Yaakov’s lifetime, Rabbi Palagi declined to accept any official rabbinic or judicial positions. After his father’s passing in 1828, at the age of 40, he was appointed a dayan (judge) on the Beit Din and became head of the Beit Yaakov Rabbi yeshiva.

In 1837, at the age of 49, Rabbi Palagi was appointed head of the Great Rabbinical Court of Izmir, which included 45 dayanim. By 1855, at age 67, he became the Chief Rabbi of Izmir and received the title “Chacham Bashi.” One year later, the Turkish Sultan Abdülmecid I formally approved his appointment, granting him extensive judicial authority.

On the 22nd of Tishrei, 1867, during Simchat Torah, Rabbi Palagi read the verse, “And Moses died there,” and began to weep. The Jews of Izmir understood that their rabbi’s departure was near and joined him in tears. Four months later, on Rosh Chodesh Shevat, Rabbi Palagi fell ill and asked the city’s inhabitants to pray for him. Two weeks later, on Shabbat Shirah, the 15th of Shevat, he requested that his will be read publicly. The following day, the 16th of Shevat, he summoned a minyan of young scholars to perform a legal notice, as was customary according to the Rashash.

On the 17th of Shevat, 1868, after reciting the Tikkun Chatzot prayer during the night, Rabbi Palagi lay down at midday, smiling and joyful, and requested a glass of water. He recited the blessing “Shehakol nihyah bidvaro” and passed away in purity and holiness at the age of 80.

Rabbi Chaim Palagi was buried in the ancient cemetery of Izmir in a state funeral attended by government representatives, foreign dignitaries, members of the Turkish military, and many rabbis. The Jews of Izmir accompanied their rabbi to his final rest, carrying his sacred books and numerous candles.

It is said that a light rain fell throughout the funeral, and when the earth was about to be placed upon the grave, a sudden strong wind blew, extinguishing all the candles at once. At the same time, several prominent rabbis in the Land of Israel reportedly dreamed that a great rabbi from Turkey had passed away and that they were commanded to pay him their final respects.

Rabbi Chaim Palagi authored approximately 80 books encompassing all areas of Pardes, including works on Tanach, Talmud, ethics, Midrash, Halacha, Kabbalah, and responsa. He distributed all of his books free of charge and never sold them. He is best known for his work Kaf HaChaim.

Rabbi Palagi was also known as a disciple of Aaron HaKohen, a lover and pursuer of peace, a lover of people, and one who brought others closer to Torah. He frequently aided the poor of Izmir and worked to support a Jewish hospital in the area with the assistance of Moses Montefiore and Baron Rothschild. He also instituted an ordinance in Izmir prohibiting the removal of a Jewish child from Torah study before the child had mastered the entire order of prayers and other essential studies.

The Muslim caretakers of the ancient cemetery in Izmir report that the mikvah there contains water from a natural spring located beneath Rabbi Chaim Palagi’s grave.