Celebrating the Life of the Holy Chida: Fascinating Facts and Insights

The 11th of Adar, 5785 (2025), marks the yahrzeit (hillula) of the holy Chida. In honor of this day, here are several facts and well-known segulot (spiritual practices) associated with the Chida and his lifelong work on behalf of the Jewish people.

1. Who Was the Chida?

The holy Chida — Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai (1724–1806) was a towering halachic authority and a great kabbalist. He authored over 100 books spanning virtually every area of Torah scholarship.

2. His Origins

He was born in Jerusalem to Rabbi Raphael Yitzchak Zerachia Azulai, a descendant of the renowned kabbalist Rabbi Avraham Azulai.

3. Missions on Behalf of the Jewish Community

The Chida undertook lengthy journeys as an emissary (shaliach) for the Jewish community of Hebron, including a six-year mission. He later served as a dayan (judge) in Jerusalem.  During his travels, he reached Constantinople as a representative of Jerusalem Jewry, attempting, unsuccessfully, to overturn an improper communal appointment imposed by Ottoman authorities. 

For five years he served as Chief Rabbi and head of the rabbinical court in Alexandria, Egypt, before returning to settle in Hebron.

4. His Final Journey and Livorno

In 1772, the Chida set out on his final mission on behalf of the Hebron community. During this journey he arrived in Livorno, Italy, where the local Jewish community asked him to remain. He agreed on condition that he be allowed time to write and publish his works. Most of his books were printed there, and there he passed away and was buried.

5. A Walking Library

Throughout Europe, the Chida visited libraries and archives, carefully examining rare manuscripts — many never printed. He copied, cited, and preserved countless sources, leaving an indelible mark on Jewish scholarship.

6. His Vast Literary Output

Among his hundreds of works are halachic writings, commentaries, sermons, and ethical works. Some of his best-known titles include: Birkei Yosef, Machzik Beracha, Chaim Sha’al, Yosef Ometz, Lev David, Shem HaGedolim, Avodat HaKodesh (which includes several sub-works), D’vash LeFi, Mar’it HaAyin , and many others.

7. Biblical Commentaries

He authored numerous commentaries on Tanach, including:

• Chomat Anach – commentary on the entire Tanach

• Nachal Kedumim – on the Torah

• Yosef Tehillot – on Tehillim

• Nachal Eshkol – on the Five Megillot

• Tzavarei Shalal – on the Haftarot

8. Historian and Bibliographer

The Chida also wrote historical and bibliographic masterpieces, most notably Shem HaGedolim, a foundational reference work on Torah scholars and books.

His travel diary Ma’agal Tov documents his journeys across Egypt, Italy, Germany, France, Holland, and England, detailing Jewish communal life, Torah scholarship, and charitable fundraising for Hebron and the Land of Israel.

9. His Legacy Today

Streets in Israel bear his name, and a dedicated institute in Jerusalem continues to publish and preserve his writings.

10. Famous Segulot in His Name

Several powerful and widely practiced segulot are attributed to the Chida:

• “Chida Tehillim” for a sick person : Reciting verses from Tehllim according to the letters of the person’s name (e.g., for Reuven: verses beginning with ר–א–ו–ב–ן).

• Protection from sudden infant death : Responding “Amen” 90 times daily.

• Protection from the evil eye : Gazing at one’s tzitzit.

These practices are widely cited in Jewish tradition and continue to be observed by many to this day.

May the merit of the holy Chida protect us and all of Israel.