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{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox Jewish leader
{{Infobox Jewish leader
|honorific-prefix = Rabbi
|honorific-prefix = Rabbi
|name = Elazar Abuhatzeira
|name = Elazar Abuhatzeira
|honorific-suffix =
|honorific-suffix =
|title =
|title = Baba Elazar
|image =
|image = רבי אלעזר אבוחצירא.jpg
|caption =
|caption =
|synagogueposition =
|synagogueposition =
Line 20: Line 21:
|birth_date = 9 August 1948
|birth_date = 9 August 1948
|birth_place = [[Rissani]], [[Morocco]]
|birth_place = [[Rissani]], [[Morocco]]
|death_date = 29 July 2011
|death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2011|07|28|1948|08|09|}}
|death_place = [[Be'er Sheva]], [[Israel]]
|death_place = [[Be'er Sheva]], [[Israel]]
|buried =
|buried = [[Mount of Olives]]
|nationality = Israeli
|nationality = Israeli
|residence = [[Be'er Sheva]], [[Israel]]
|residence = [[Be'er Sheva]], [[Israel]]
|parents = Rabbi Meir and Simcha Abuhatzeira
|parents = Meir and Simcha Abuhatzeira
|spouse1 =
|spouse1 =
|issue1 =
|issue1 =
}}
}}


'''Elazar Abuhatzeira''' (9 August 1948 – 29 July 2011) was an [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] [[Sephardi Jews|Sefardi]] [[rabbi]] and kabbalist, known among his followers as the "Baba Elazar."
'''Elazar Abuhatzeira''' also known as '''Baba Elazar''' (9 August 1948 – 28 July 2011) was an [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] [[Sephardi Jews|Sefardi]] [[rabbi]] and [[kabbalist]] in [[Israel]].


He was born in [[Rissani]], [[Morocco]] to Rabbi Meir and Simcha Abuhatzeira, was the grandson of the [[Baba Sali]], Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, and the brother of Rabbi [[David Chai Abuhatzeira]] of [[Nahariya]].
He was born in [[Rissani]], [[Morocco]] to Rabbi Meir and Simcha Abuhatzeira, was the grandson of the [[Baba Sali]], Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, and the brother of Rabbi [[David Chai Abuhatzeira]] of [[Nahariya]].


He [[Aliyah|moved to Israel]] in 1966 and studied at the [[Porat Yosef Yeshiva]]. He later moved to [[Beersheba]] where he ran a [[yeshiva]]. Besides from his reputation as a leading kabbalist, Abuhatzeira was known for his work and influence with business and political leaders and had a following as a [[spiritual leader]]. In 2011 he had estimated assets of $80 million.<ref name="ettinger"/>
He made [[aliyah]] to [[Israel]] in 1966, remaining in [[Beersheba]], where he ran a [[yeshiva]].


⚫
Abuhatzeira was known for wearing a cloak whose long hood covered most of his face, reportedly to shield him from glancing at immodestly dressed women. He had a tunnel dug between his home and his yeshiva where he received people.<ref>Abuhatzeira killer sent for psychiatric exam, Jerusalem Post, 30 July 2011</ref><ref name="ynet1"/>
Abuhatzeira was known for his work and influence with business and political leaders, as well as his study of [[Kabbalah]]. Abuhatzeira, who had studied at [[Porat Yosef Yeshiva]], had a following as a [[spiritual leader]].


Abuhatzeira was married to Dvora and had seven children.
He was one of Israel's leading kabbalists, and appeared in a list of the country's wealthiest people, with estimated assets of $80 million in 2011.<ref name="ettinger"/>

⚫
Abuhatzeira was known for wearing a cloak whose long hood covered most of his face, reportedly so he would not see any "immodest images of women". He had a tunnel dug between his home in Beersheba and the yeshiva he headed, where he received believers.<ref>Abuhatzeira killer sent for psychiatric exam, Jerusalem Post, 30 July 2011</ref><ref name="ynet1"/>


==Fraud and tax evasion claims==
==Fraud and tax evasion claims==
In 1997, an investigation by the Israeli newspaper ''Haaretz'', led by the journalist Yossi Bar-Moha, linked several incidents of corruption to Abuhatzeira. The articles further claimed that Abuhatzeira tried to impress people, persuaded them to pay him in exchange for a blessing, and threatened them with a curse if necessary.<ref name="nyjews"/> The 1997 report claimed that Abuhatzeira had sold land designated for a religious girls school instead of building the school, and was evading municipal property taxes.<ref name="fraudclaims"/> Bar-Moha discovered that the Rabbi's bank account contained NIS 250 million in gifts and contributions.<ref name="ilan"/>
A 1997 investigation by Yossi Bar-Moha for the ''[[Haaretz]]'' newspaper linked several incidents of corruption to Abuhatzeira, claiming that he tried to impress and persuaded people to pay him in exchange for a blessing and threatened curses.<ref name="nyjews"/> The report also claimed that Abuhatzeira's bank account contained NIS 250 million in gifts and contributions,<ref name="ilan"/> that he had sold land designated for a girls school and was evading municipal property taxes.<ref name="fraudclaims"/> A police investigation was launched and in 2003 Abuhatzeira was ordered to pay NIS 100 million to the tax authority on money he received from followers. Following an appeal, a settlement was reached whereby he paid back NIS 20 million to charitable organizations.<ref>{{cite news|author=Tzvi Alush|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-2765649,00.html |script-title=he:המקובל אלעזר אבוחצירא: ישלם מס כמקובל |newspaper=Ynet|date=23 September 2003 |access-date=5 August 2011|language=he}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Tal Rosner|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3059184,00.html|title=Rabbis must pay taxes|publisher=Ynet|date=16 March 2005 |access-date=3 June 2020}}</ref> By 2004 Bar-Moha claimed that Abuhatzeira's income had grown to NIS 500 million ($141m, 2004), and he filed a joint petition with the Progressive Judaism Movement to the [[Supreme Court of Israel|Israeli Supreme Court]] demanding the tax settlement to be cancelled, but the petition was dismissed.<ref name="ilan">{{cite news|author=Ilan Shahar|url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/the-kabbala-is-taxable-1.126088|title=The kabbala is taxable |work=Haaretz |date=24 June 2004}}</ref>


⚫
In 2009 a man was indicted for threatening to kill Abuhatzeira, claiming that the rabbi made him a medical promise that had not come true<ref name="ettinger">Ettinger, Yair. [http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/murder-worries-advice-giving-rabbis-1.376844 Murder worries advice-giving rabbis], Haaretz, 4 August 2011</ref> and in 2010, Abuhatzeira was accused by Jews in New York of charging hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange promised miracles that never came to fruition.<ref name="nyjews">{{cite news|author=Natasha Mozgovaya |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/n-y-jews-accuse-be-er-sheva-kabbalist-of-massive-fraud-1.263772 |title=N.Y. Jews accuse Be'er Sheva Kabbalist of massive fraud |work=Haaretz |date=26 February 2010|access-date=4 August 2011}}</ref> The prosecutor in Brooklyn subsequently opened an investigation and Abuhatzeira stopped traveling to the United States as a result.<ref name="ettinger"/> Bar-Moha claimed "Elazar Abuhatzeira is a charlatan, conman and impostor who takes advantage of people's innocence, exploits them and brings to the verge of poverty". His disciples defended him saying that Abuhatzeira is humble and modest and would never do such a thing<ref name="fraudclaims">Natasha Mozgovaya (18 February 2010). [http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/u-s-prosecutors-probing-israeli-rabbi-over-fraud-1.263504 U.S. prosecutors probing Israeli rabbi over fraud], ''Haaretz''</ref> and insisted he used his wealth to support the poor.<ref name="ettinger"/>
The articles prompted a police investigation against Abuhatzeira. In 2003, Abuhatzeira was ordered to pay NIS 100 million to the Israel Tax Authority on money he received from followers, but in the end reached settlement to pay NIS 20 million to charitable organizations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Alush |first=Tzvi |url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-2765649,00.html |script-title=he:המקובל אלעזר אבוחצירא: ישלם מס כמקובל |work=Ynet|date=23 September 2003 |accessdate=5 August 2011|language=he}}</ref><ref>Tal Rosner, [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3059184,00.html 'Rabbis must pay taxes’], YNetnews, March 2003</ref>


==Murder==
By 2004, Bar Moha claimed that the Rabbi's income had grown to NIS 500 million (USD 141 million in 2004 values), and he filed a joint petition with the Progressive Judaism Movement to the [[Supreme Court of Israel|Israeli Supreme Court]], demanding the tax settlement to be cancelled. The petition was dismissed.<ref name="ilan">Shahar Ilan. [http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/the-kabbala-is-taxable-1.126088 The kabbala is taxable]. Haaretz, 06.24.2004</ref>
Abuhatzeira was murdered on 28 July 2011 by Asher Dahan of [[El'ad]] who stabbed him in the upper body during a private audience. The 42-year-old attacker was said to have been unhappy with marital advice the rabbi had given him. Attempts were made at the scene to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at the [[Soroka Medical Center]].<ref name="ynet1">{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4101678,00.html |title=Rabbi stabbed to death in Beersheba |work=Ynetnews |date=20 June 1995 |access-date=4 August 2011}}</ref><ref name=haaretz>{{cite news|title=Popular kabbalah rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira stabbed to death in Be'er Sheva|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/popular-kabbalah-rabbi-elazar-abuhatzeira-stabbed-to-death-in-be-er-sheva-1.375855|work=[[Haaretz]]|date=29 July 2011|access-date=3 June 2020}}</ref> The funeral was held the next day in [[Jerusalem]] and was attended by tens of thousands of people, including Israel's chief rabbis, Haredi ministers and [[Knesset]] members. Eulogies were delivered at the [[Porat Yosef Yeshiva]] and in the [[Geula]] neighborhood. MK [[Meshulam Nahari]] said "who would have thought that... a rabbi could be murdered in Israel?" He is buried on the [[Mount of Olives]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4101783,00.html |title=Slain Beersheba rabbi laid to rest |publisher=Ynetnews |date=20 June 1995 |access-date=4 August 2011}}</ref> Asher Dahan was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder.<ref>[http://en.inn.co.il/News/News.aspx/176559 Rabbi Abuhatzeira's Murderer Gets Life Sentence]{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2009, a man was indicted for threatening to kill Abuhatzeira, claiming that the rabbi made him a medical promise that had not come true.<ref name="ettinger">Ettinger, Yair. [http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/murder-worries-advice-giving-rabbis-1.376844 Murder worries advice-giving rabbis], Haaretez, 4 August 2011</ref>

⚫
In 2010 Rabbi Abuhatzeira was accused by New York Jews of charging hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange promised miracles that never came to fruition <ref name="nyjews">{{cite news|last=Mozgovaya |first=Natasha |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/n-y-jews-accuse-be-er-sheva-kabbalist-of-massive-fraud-1.263772 |title=N.Y. Jews accuse Be'er Sheva Kabbalist of massive fraud |work=Haaretz |date=26 February 2010|accessdate=4 August 2011}}</ref> The prosecutor in Brooklyn subsequently opened an investigation, and Abuhatzeira stopped traveling to the United States as a result.<ref name="ettinger"/> Yossi Bar Moha, the journalist who investigated the Rabbi in 1997, claimed that "Elazar Abuhatzeira is a charlatan, con man and impostor who takes advantage of people's innocence, exploits them and brings to the verge of poverty". One of the students of the Rabbi defended him, saying that the Rabbi is humble and modest, and would never do such a thing.<ref name="fraudclaims">Natasha Mozgovaya, 18 February 2010 [http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/u-s-prosecutors-probing-israeli-rabbi-over-fraud-1.263504 U.S. prosecutors probing Israeli rabbi over fraud], Haaretz</ref> Other disciples acknowledge that the rabbi was wealthy, but insisted he used his wealth for the poor, citing, for instance, a huge house owned by the rabbi which included a soup kitchen where hundreds of poor people were fed on a daily basis.<ref name="ettinger"/>

==Death==
Elazar Abuhatzeira was murdered on 28 July 2011 in his [[Beersheba]] yeshiva, while hosting guests for consultation. According to an initial police investigation, the rabbi was stabbed in the upper body after receiving the killer for a private audience. The attacker, 42-year-old Asher Dahan of [[El'ad]], was said to have been unhappy with marital advice the rabbi had given him. Dahan stabbed Abuhatzeira in the upper body before being subdued by his students, who handed him over to police. [[Magen David Adom]] personnel attempted to resuscitate him before rushing him by ambulance to [[Soroka Medical Center]], where he was pronounced dead on arrival.<ref name="ynet1">{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4101678,00.html |title=Rabbi stabbed to death in Beersheba |work=Ynetnews |date=20 June 1995 |author= |accessdate=4 August 2011}}</ref><ref name=haaretz>{{cite news|title=Popular kabbalah rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira stabbed to death in Be'er Sheva|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/popular-kabbalah-rabbi-elazar-abuhatzeira-stabbed-to-death-in-be-er-sheva-1.375855|work=[[Haaretz]]|date=29 July 2011|accessdate=30 July 2011}}</ref>

Abuhatzeira's funeral was held in [[Jerusalem]] on 29 July, and the rabbi was buried on the [[Mount of Olives]]. The funeral was attended by tens of thousands of people, including Israel's chief rabbis, haredi ministers, and [[Knesset]] members. Eulogies were delivered at the [[Porat Yosef Yeshiva]] and the Jerusalem neighborhood of [[Geula]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4101783,00.html |title=Slain Beersheba rabbi laid to rest |publisher=Ynetnews |author= |date=20 June 1995 |accessdate=4 August 2011}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Sephardi rabbis]]
[[Category:Moroccan emigrants to Israel]]
[[Category:Moroccan emigrants to Israel]]
[[Category:Deaths by stabbing in Israel]]
[[Category:Deaths by stabbing in Israel]]
[[Category:Israeli rabbis]]
[[Category:Sephardic Haredi rabbis in Israel]]
[[Category:Israeli murder victims]]
[[Category:Israeli murder victims]]
[[Category:People murdered in Israel]]
[[Category:People murdered in Israel]]
[[Category:People from Rissani]]
[[Category:People from Rissani]]
[[Category:Burials at the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives]]
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[[Category:Rabbis in Beersheba]]

Latest revision as of 11:41, 2 March 2023

Rabbi
Elazar Abuhatzeira
TitleBaba Elazar
Personal life
Born9 August 1948
Rissani, Morocco
Died28 July 2011(2011-07-28) (aged 62)
Be'er Sheva, Israel
NationalityIsraeli
Parent(s)Meir and Simcha Abuhatzeira
Religious life
ReligionJudaism

Elazar Abuhatzeira also known as Baba Elazar (9 August 1948 – 28 July 2011) was an Orthodox Sefardi rabbi and kabbalist in Israel.

He was born in Rissani, Morocco to Rabbi Meir and Simcha Abuhatzeira, was the grandson of the Baba Sali, Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, and the brother of Rabbi David Chai Abuhatzeira of Nahariya.

He moved to Israel in 1966 and studied at the Porat Yosef Yeshiva. He later moved to Beersheba where he ran a yeshiva. Besides from his reputation as a leading kabbalist, Abuhatzeira was known for his work and influence with business and political leaders and had a following as a spiritual leader. In 2011 he had estimated assets of $80 million.[1]

Abuhatzeira was known for wearing a cloak whose long hood covered most of his face, reportedly to shield him from glancing at immodestly dressed women. He had a tunnel dug between his home and his yeshiva where he received people.[2][3]

Abuhatzeira was married to Dvora and had seven children.

Fraud and tax evasion claims

[edit]

A 1997 investigation by Yossi Bar-Moha for the Haaretz newspaper linked several incidents of corruption to Abuhatzeira, claiming that he tried to impress and persuaded people to pay him in exchange for a blessing and threatened curses.[4] The report also claimed that Abuhatzeira's bank account contained NIS 250 million in gifts and contributions,[5] that he had sold land designated for a girls school and was evading municipal property taxes.[6] A police investigation was launched and in 2003 Abuhatzeira was ordered to pay NIS 100 million to the tax authority on money he received from followers. Following an appeal, a settlement was reached whereby he paid back NIS 20 million to charitable organizations.[7][8] By 2004 Bar-Moha claimed that Abuhatzeira's income had grown to NIS 500 million ($141m, 2004), and he filed a joint petition with the Progressive Judaism Movement to the Israeli Supreme Court demanding the tax settlement to be cancelled, but the petition was dismissed.[5]

In 2009 a man was indicted for threatening to kill Abuhatzeira, claiming that the rabbi made him a medical promise that had not come true[1] and in 2010, Abuhatzeira was accused by Jews in New York of charging hundreds of thousands of dollars in exchange promised miracles that never came to fruition.[4] The prosecutor in Brooklyn subsequently opened an investigation and Abuhatzeira stopped traveling to the United States as a result.[1] Bar-Moha claimed "Elazar Abuhatzeira is a charlatan, conman and impostor who takes advantage of people's innocence, exploits them and brings to the verge of poverty". His disciples defended him saying that Abuhatzeira is humble and modest and would never do such a thing[6] and insisted he used his wealth to support the poor.[1]

Murder

[edit]

Abuhatzeira was murdered on 28 July 2011 by Asher Dahan of El'ad who stabbed him in the upper body during a private audience. The 42-year-old attacker was said to have been unhappy with marital advice the rabbi had given him. Attempts were made at the scene to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Soroka Medical Center.[3][9] The funeral was held the next day in Jerusalem and was attended by tens of thousands of people, including Israel's chief rabbis, Haredi ministers and Knesset members. Eulogies were delivered at the Porat Yosef Yeshiva and in the Geula neighborhood. MK Meshulam Nahari said "who would have thought that... a rabbi could be murdered in Israel?" He is buried on the Mount of Olives.[10] Asher Dahan was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Ettinger, Yair. Murder worries advice-giving rabbis, Haaretz, 4 August 2011
  2. ^ Abuhatzeira killer sent for psychiatric exam, Jerusalem Post, 30 July 2011
  3. ^ a b "Rabbi stabbed to death in Beersheba". Ynetnews. 20 June 1995. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  4. ^ a b Natasha Mozgovaya (26 February 2010). "N.Y. Jews accuse Be'er Sheva Kabbalist of massive fraud". Haaretz. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  5. ^ a b Ilan Shahar (24 June 2004). "The kabbala is taxable". Haaretz.
  6. ^ a b Natasha Mozgovaya (18 February 2010). U.S. prosecutors probing Israeli rabbi over fraud, Haaretz
  7. ^ Tzvi Alush (23 September 2003). המקובל אלעזר אבוחצירא: ישלם מס כמקובל. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  8. ^ Tal Rosner (16 March 2005). "Rabbis must pay taxes". Ynet. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Popular kabbalah rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira stabbed to death in Be'er Sheva". Haaretz. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Slain Beersheba rabbi laid to rest". Ynetnews. 20 June 1995. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  11. ^ Rabbi Abuhatzeira's Murderer Gets Life Sentence[permanent dead link‍]
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