Abuchatzeira, Rabbi Meir — "Baba Meir"

אביחצירא - מאיר

Rabbi Meir Abuchatzeira — "Baba Meir"

Rabbi Meir Abuchatzeira, known as the Baba Meir (10 Teves 5677 / 1917 – 17 Nissan 5743 / 1983), was the eldest son of Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzeira, the Baba Sali, and was regarded as his heir. Born and educated in the Tafilalt region of Morocco, he became a leading rabbi and kabbalist, and served as rav and av beis din of Erfoud. There, together with his father, he formed a close connection with Chabad through the Rebbe's shliach Rabbi Shlomo Matusof, who stayed in their home on his visits to Erfoud; Rabbi Matusof and the Baba Meir would study Torah and Chassidus together late into the night, and Chabad institutions were established in Erfoud with the family's support. He later settled in Eretz Yisrael, living in Ashdod, and passed away two years before his father.

Correspondence with the Rebbe

The Rebbe's letters to the Baba Meir reflect warm mutual respect and their shared work for Torah education in Morocco. The Rebbe blessed him on his appointment as rav and av beis din, and for success in Erfoud (IK 1885); wrote on strengthening Torah education and the role of the mara d'asra (IK 786); and thanked him for a sefer and for his support of the Oholei Yosef Yitzchak institutions (IK 943). Other letters discuss connection to the Rebbe through Torah study and chassidic teachings (IK 703) and the purpose of darkness in creation — that it exists to be illuminated (IK 759) — and the Rebbe thanked him for joining in the Yud-Tes Kislev farbrengen (IK 3146).

See also: Matusof, Rabbi Shlomo; Jewish outreach – Spreading Chassidus.

Shiurim in this topic

786. Strengthening Torah Education and the Role of the Mara D'asra חיזוק חינוך התורה ותפקיד המרא דאתרא

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943. Thanks for Sefer and Support for Oholei Yosef Yitzchak תודה על הספר ותמיכה באהלי יוסף יצחק

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1885. Appointment as Rav Av Beis Din and Blessings for Success in Erfoud מינוי כרב אב בית דין וברכות להצלחה בארפוד

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3146. Thanking Rabbi Meir Abuchatzira for Joining the Kislev 19 Farbrengen הבעת תודה לרבי מאיר אבוחצירא על השתתפות בהתוועדות י"ט כסלו

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703. Connection to the Rebbe Through Torah Study and Chassidic Teachings התקשרות לרבי דרך לימוד התורה ותורת החסידות

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759. Creation, the Purpose of Darkness, and Illuminating the World הבריאה, תכלית החושך, והארת העולם

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