Leaf (two pages, approximately thirty lines) handwritten by R. Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, the Ben Ish Chai. [Baghdad, ca. second half of 19th century].
The Ben Ish Chai explains the words of the Midrash (Vayikra Rabba 14, 7) on the verse "If a woman conceives and gives birth to a male child" (where the Midrash states: "If you observed the days of Niddah, I will give you a son whom you will circumcise at eight days of age"). The Ben Ish Chai concludes the final section with the following words, which include a blessing: " The Torah has eight levels, therefore he shall merit a son and circumcise him at eight days of age, may G-d come to our assistance, guard us and help us always".
The homilies in the present leaf were printed in his book Imrei Binah (Oseh Feleh 2:30), with textual variations.
R. Yosef Chaim of Baghdad (1833-1909), author of Ben Ish Chai and dozens of other important books. He was the son of R. Eliyahu Chaim son of R. Moshe Chaim Rabbi of Baghdad, and the disciple of R. Abdallah Somekh. He was renowned from a young age for his brilliance and righteousness. After the passing of his father in 1859, at the age of 26, he succeeded him as preacher in the Great Synagogue of Baghdad, upholding this practice every Shabbat for the next fifty years. His sermons on special occasions such as Shabbat Shuva and Shabbat Hagadol drew crowds of over four thousand people, who sat enthralled throughout the sermon, which often lasted for four to five hours. His sermons incorporated Halachah, commentaries of verses and Aggadot, using the various approaches of exegesis.
The Ben Ish Chai was recognized as the de facto leader of Baghdad and entire Iraq, and all the local rabbis and judges deferred to him. His complete mastery of Torah and Kabbalah, as well as his great piety and holiness, gained him renown throughout the world. In 1869 he travelled to Eretz Israel in order to pray at the graves of tzaddikim. While praying, he received a heavenly message that the source of his soul was that of Benayahu ben Yehoyada. He therefore titled many of his works after the descriptives of Benayahu: Ben Ish Chai, Ben Ish Chayil, Ben Yehoyada, Rav Pe'alim, Od Yosef Chai and others. Some of his other works: Leshon Chachamim, Aderet Eliyahu, Responsa Torah Lishma (published anonymously), Chasdei Avot, Birkat Avot and others.
[1] leaf (2 pages). 15 cm. Marginal wear and tears, slightly affecting several characters. Folding marks.