Jump to content

Yair Bacharach: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
i added to the info box
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|17th century posek}}
⚫
'''Yair Chayim Bacharach''' (1639, [[Lipník nad Bečvou]], [[Moravia]] — 1702) was a German [[rabbi]] and major 17th century [[posek]], who lived first in [[Koblenz]] and then remainder of his life in [[Worms, Germany|Worms]] and [[Metz]]. His grandmother [[Eva Bacharach]] was a granddaughter of the [[Judah Loew ben Bezalel|Maharal of Prague]], and his father [[Moses Samson Bacharach]], and grandfather had served as rabbis of Metz.
{{Infobox person
| name = Yair Chayim Bacharach
| caption =
| other_names =
| birth_date = [[1638]]
| birth_place = [[Lipník nad Bečvou]], [[Moravia]]
| death_date = [[January 1]], [[1702]]
| death_place = [[Worms, Germany|Worms]], [[Holy Roman Empire]]
| resting_place = [[Old Jewish Cemetery, Worms]]
| occupation = [[Rabbi]], [[Posek]], [[Book collector]]
| years_active = 1666-1702
| era = [[Koblenz]], [[Worms, Germany|Worms]], [[Frankfurt]]
| known_for = [[rabbi]], [[posek]]
| spouse =
| father = [[Moses Samson Bacharach]]
| relatives = [[Maharal of Prague]] (great-great-grandfather)
[[Eva Bacharach]] (grandmother)
[[Abraham Samuel Bacharach]] (grandfather)
[[Tobias Cohn]] (step-brother)
}}
[[Image:Havat.jpg|thumb|''Chavos Yair'', [[Lemberg]], 1894]]


⚫
Rabbi '''Yair Chayim Bacharach''' (1638, [[Lipník nad Bečvou]], [[Moravia]] &mdash; 1702; also known by his work '''Chavos Yair''' or '''Chavot Yair''') was a German [[rabbi]] and major 17th century [[posek]], who lived first in [[Koblenz]] and then the remainder of his life in [[Worms, Germany|Worms]] and [[Mainz]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kaufmann |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_M0pAAAAAYAAJ |title=R. Jair Chajjim Bacharach (1638-1702) und seine ahnen |publisher=S. Mayer |year=1894 |location=Trier |language=German |trans-title=R. Yair Chayim Bacharach (1638-1702) and his generation}}</ref> His grandmother [[Eva Bacharach]] was a granddaughter of the [[Judah Loew ben Bezalel|Maharal of Prague]], and his father [[Moses Samson Bacharach]], and grandfather had served as rabbis of Worms.
⚫
He was the author of ''Havvot Yair'' ("Villages of Yair") a collection of [[responsa]] by the title of which is he commonly referred (first published in Frankfurt a Main, 1699); its title is a reference to his grandmother Chava as well as to a place mentioned in Numbers 32:41 and elsewhere in the [[Tanakh|Jewish Bible]]. Other work includes his ''[[Mekor Chayim]]'', which was intended as a principal commentary to ''[[Shulkhan Arukh]]'' but was withdrawn by Bacharach when he discovered that other commentaries, notably the [[David HaLevi Segal|Taz]] and the [[Magen Avraham]], had appeared. It is still regarded a prime source of material concerning ''[[minhag]]im'' (customs) of the area and epoch.


== Life ==
⚫
Besides his [[Halakha|Halakhic]] expertise he had complete mastery of all the [[sciences]], [[music]], [[history]] and wrote [[poetry]]. He compiled a 46 volume encyclopedia on many topics.
He was born in [[Lipník nad Bečvou|Lipnik]] in 1638; according to another claim, he was born in Mahersbrod in 1628. His birth name was Hayim; the name [[Jair|Yair]] was added after an illness. At age 12 he moved to [[Worms, Germany|Worms]] along with his father, who was appointed rabbi of the city. After the second marriage of his father to Phega, Bacharach become step brother of the famous jewish physician [[Tobias Cohn]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kaufmann |first=David |date=1891 |title=Jair Chayim Bacharach: A Biographical Sketch |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1449883 |journal=The Jewish Quarterly Review |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=306 |doi=10.2307/1449883 |issn=0021-6682}}</ref> At 22 he was ordained as a rabbi, and served for some time as rabbi of [[Mainz]]. In 1666 he was chosen as rabbi of nearby [[Koblenz]], but in 1669 he returned to Worms. His father died in 1670 and although he left a will for the community to elect his son to replace him as chif rabbi they decided not to choose Bacharach but chose [[Aaron ben Moses Teomim|Aaron Teomim]], a preacher from [[Prague]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kaufmann |first=David |year=1891 |title=Jair Chayim Bacharach: A Biographical Sketch |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/1449883 |journal=The Jewish Quarterly Review |volume=3 |pages=312-313 |via=}}</ref>


In 1689 the [[Worms, Germany|Worms]] community was decimated by the French during the [[Nine Years' War]]. Gradually, it was rebuilt. In 1699 he was appointed rabbi of [[Worms, Germany|Worms]] where his father and grandfather had served before him. He served for only three years until his death in 1702. The inscription on his tombstone begins with the words, “A great and dark horror befalls us from the hiding of the light of Rabbeinu...”
In 1689 the [[Worms, Germany|Worms]] community was decimated by the French during the [[Nine Years' War]], and Bacharach was forced to leave the city for a period of 10 years. Gradually, it was rebuilt. In 1699 he was appointed rabbi of Worms, where his father and grandfather had served before him. He served for only three years until his death in 1702. The inscription on his tombstone begins with the words, “A great and dark horror befalls us from the hiding of the light of Rabbeinu...”


== Works ==
⚫
In 1982 his major work, ''Mekor Chaim'', was finally published posthumously by Machon Yerushalayim.
⚫
Bacharach was the author of ''Chavos Yair'' ("Villages of Yair") a collection of [[responsa]] by the title of which is he commonly referred (first published in Frankfurt am Main, 1699); its title is a reference to his grandmother Chava as well as to a place mentioned in Numbers 32:41 and elsewhere in the [[Tanakh|Jewish Bible]]. Other work includes his ''Mekor Chayim'', which was intended as a principal commentary to ''[[Shulkhan Arukh]]'' but was withdrawn by Bacharach when he discovered that other commentaries, notably the [[David HaLevi Segal|Taz]] and the [[Magen Avraham]], had appeared. It is still regarded as a prime source of material concerning ''[[minhag]]im'' (customs) of the area and epoch. Bacharach also wrote a work criticizing Rabbi [[Aaron ben Moses Teomim|Aharon Teomim-Frankels']] ''Mateh Aharon''. Therein, Bacharach sharply criticizes the [[pilpul]]ic methodology common among the rabbis of his time.


⚫
Besides his [[Halakha|Halakhic]] expertise he had complete mastery of all the [[sciences]], [[music]], [[history]] and wrote [[poetry]]. He compiled a 46 volume encyclopedia on many topics called ''Yair Nesiv'', which remains unpublished.
⚫
==Notable Views==
⚫
Bacharachs' view of [[Kabbala]] was nuanced. While he believed kabbalah to be very holy, he maintained that it posed great theological danger, and should therefore only be studied by the extremely pious, and only with a teacher. In his responsa, Bacharach relates that a commoner asked him to explain the Kabbalistic formulas commonly printed in prayer books. Bacharach refused to answer, and when he was pressed, said only that he didn't know the explanation.
<ref>{{cite web
| url =http://eph.sefaria.org/Havot_Yair.210
| title = ''Chavos Yair, siman 210''
| last =
| first =
| date =
| website =
| publisher =
| access-date =
| quote = }}</ref>


⚫
In 1982 his major work, ''Mekor Chaim'', was finally published posthumously by Machon Yerushalayim, and was reprinted in 2018.
⚫
== References ==

⚫
== Notable Views ==
⚫
Bacharachs' view of [[Kabbalah]] was nuanced. While he believed Kabbalah to be very holy, he maintained that it posed great theological danger, and should therefore only be studied by the extremely pious, and only with a teacher. In his responsa, Bacharach relates that a commoner asked him to explain the Kabbalistic formulas commonly printed in prayer books. Bacharach refused to answer, and when he was pressed, said only that he didn't know the explanation. Although he discouraged in-depth study of Kabbalah, he encouraged simple reading of the ''Zohar'',<ref>{{cite web |title=''Chavos Yair, siman'' 210 |url=http://eph.sefaria.org/Havot_Yair.210}}</ref> and many of his writings contain Kabbalistic references, especially to explain communal customs.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Berkovitz |first=Jay R. |date=2012 |title=Crisis and authority in early modern Ashkenaz |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23352432 |journal=Jewish History |volume=26 |issue=1/2 |pages=179–199 |issn=0334-701X}}</ref>

== External links ==
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Bacharach, Yair}}
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Bacharach, Yair}}
* [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=67&letter=B Jewish Encyclopedia]
* [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=67&letter=B Jewish Encyclopedia]
* [http://www.ou.org/about/judaism/rabbis/bacharach.htm Rabbi Yair Chaim Bacharach] from the [[Orthodox Union]] website
* [http://www.ou.org/about/judaism/rabbis/bacharach.htm Rabbi Yair Chaim Bacharach] from the [[Orthodox Union]] website
* [http://www.loebtree.com/opp.html#cy Family Tree]
* [http://www.loebtree.com/opp.html#cy Family Tree]

=== Works ===
* [http://hebrewbooks.org/857 ''Chavos Yair'']
* [http://hebrewbooks.org/856 ''Chut Hashani'']

⚫
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bacharach, Yair}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bacharach, Yair}}
[[Category:1639 births]]
[[Category:1639 births]]
Line 34: Line 59:
[[Category:People from Lipník nad Bečvou]]
[[Category:People from Lipník nad Bečvou]]
[[Category:Czech Orthodox rabbis]]
[[Category:Czech Orthodox rabbis]]
[[Category:German rabbis]]
[[Category:17th-century German rabbis]]
[[Category:17th-century rabbis]]
[[Category:Rabbis from Worms, Germany]]
[[Category:Jewish German history]]
[[Category:Authors of books on Jewish law]]
[[Category:People from Worms, Germany]]
[[Category:Moravian rabbis]]
[[Category:Exponents of Jewish law]]

Latest revision as of 10:02, 19 December 2024

Yair Chayim Bacharach
Born1638
Lipník nad Bečvou, Moravia
DiedJanuary 1, 1702
Worms, Holy Roman Empire
Resting placeOld Jewish Cemetery, Worms
Occupation(s)Rabbi, Posek, Book collector
Years active1666-1702
EraKoblenz, Worms, Frankfurt
Known forrabbi, posek
FatherMoses Samson Bacharach
RelativesMaharal of Prague (great-great-grandfather)

Eva Bacharach (grandmother) Abraham Samuel Bacharach (grandfather)

Tobias Cohn (step-brother)
Chavos Yair, Lemberg, 1894

Rabbi Yair Chayim Bacharach (1638, Lipník nad Bečvou, Moravia — 1702; also known by his work Chavos Yair or Chavot Yair) was a German rabbi and major 17th century posek, who lived first in Koblenz and then the remainder of his life in Worms and Mainz.[1] His grandmother Eva Bacharach was a granddaughter of the Maharal of Prague, and his father Moses Samson Bacharach, and grandfather had served as rabbis of Worms.

Life

[edit]

He was born in Lipnik in 1638; according to another claim, he was born in Mahersbrod in 1628. His birth name was Hayim; the name Yair was added after an illness. At age 12 he moved to Worms along with his father, who was appointed rabbi of the city. After the second marriage of his father to Phega, Bacharach become step brother of the famous jewish physician Tobias Cohn.[2] At 22 he was ordained as a rabbi, and served for some time as rabbi of Mainz. In 1666 he was chosen as rabbi of nearby Koblenz, but in 1669 he returned to Worms. His father died in 1670 and although he left a will for the community to elect his son to replace him as chif rabbi they decided not to choose Bacharach but chose Aaron Teomim, a preacher from Prague.[3]

In 1689 the Worms community was decimated by the French during the Nine Years' War, and Bacharach was forced to leave the city for a period of 10 years. Gradually, it was rebuilt. In 1699 he was appointed rabbi of Worms, where his father and grandfather had served before him. He served for only three years until his death in 1702. The inscription on his tombstone begins with the words, “A great and dark horror befalls us from the hiding of the light of Rabbeinu...”

Works

[edit]

Bacharach was the author of Chavos Yair ("Villages of Yair") a collection of responsa by the title of which is he commonly referred (first published in Frankfurt am Main, 1699); its title is a reference to his grandmother Chava as well as to a place mentioned in Numbers 32:41 and elsewhere in the Jewish Bible. Other work includes his Mekor Chayim, which was intended as a principal commentary to Shulkhan Arukh but was withdrawn by Bacharach when he discovered that other commentaries, notably the Taz and the Magen Avraham, had appeared. It is still regarded as a prime source of material concerning minhagim (customs) of the area and epoch. Bacharach also wrote a work criticizing Rabbi Aharon Teomim-Frankels' Mateh Aharon. Therein, Bacharach sharply criticizes the pilpulic methodology common among the rabbis of his time.

Besides his Halakhic expertise he had complete mastery of all the sciences, music, history and wrote poetry. He compiled a 46 volume encyclopedia on many topics called Yair Nesiv, which remains unpublished.

In 1982 his major work, Mekor Chaim, was finally published posthumously by Machon Yerushalayim, and was reprinted in 2018.

Notable Views

[edit]

Bacharachs' view of Kabbalah was nuanced. While he believed Kabbalah to be very holy, he maintained that it posed great theological danger, and should therefore only be studied by the extremely pious, and only with a teacher. In his responsa, Bacharach relates that a commoner asked him to explain the Kabbalistic formulas commonly printed in prayer books. Bacharach refused to answer, and when he was pressed, said only that he didn't know the explanation. Although he discouraged in-depth study of Kabbalah, he encouraged simple reading of the Zohar,[4] and many of his writings contain Kabbalistic references, especially to explain communal customs.[5]

[edit]
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Bacharach, Yair".

Works

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kaufmann, David (1894). R. Jair Chajjim Bacharach (1638-1702) und seine ahnen [R. Yair Chayim Bacharach (1638-1702) and his generation] (in German). Trier: S. Mayer.
  2. ^ Kaufmann, David (1891). "Jair Chayim Bacharach: A Biographical Sketch". The Jewish Quarterly Review. 3 (2): 306. doi:10.2307/1449883. ISSN 0021-6682.
  3. ^ Kaufmann, David (1891). "Jair Chayim Bacharach: A Biographical Sketch". The Jewish Quarterly Review. 3: 312–313.
  4. ^ "Chavos Yair, siman 210".
  5. ^ Berkovitz, Jay R. (2012). "Crisis and authority in early modern Ashkenaz". Jewish History. 26 (1/2): 179–199. ISSN 0334-701X.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Yair_Bacharach&oldid=1263912726"