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The great Posek and Mekubal, Hacham Ovadia Hedaya זצ”ל, author of the seminal Teshuvot “Yaskil Avdi” and other renowned works, straddled the worlds of Halacha and Kabbala – Nigle and Nistar – in the tradition of his ancestors and the outstanding Hachamim of Am Yisra’el. Born in Aleppo in 1889 to his father, Hacham Shalom and his mother, Rabbanit Sara, great-granddaughter of the Rav of Aleppo, Hacham Hayim Mordechai Labaton זצ”ל (author of Nochah HaShulhan – a work which was discovered and published by Hacham Ovadia Hedaya), Hacham Ovadia moved with his parents to Alexandria and subsequently to Yerushalayim as a young boy.
In Yerushalayim, Hacham Ovadia studied Talmud in Yeshivat Hessed L’Avraham, Tif’eret Yerushalayim and others, while learning Kabbala from Hacham Shalom Bohbot זצ”ל, Hacham Yitzhak Chremזצ”ל , and Hacham Yitzhak Alfiye זצ”ל. In 1907, he married the daughter of Hacham Ezra Chrem, Rabbanit Salha (Shulamit). When the First World War broke out, he fled along with many back to Syria out of fear of the Ottoman draft (a near death-sentence), and remained there for four years – eventually returning to Yerushalayim.
In 1923, the great Yeshiva, “Porat Yosef”, was established in the Old City through the efforts of the Ben Ish Hai, Hacham Ben-Tziyon Hazan זצ”ל and others. Hacham Hedaya was installed as a Rosh Yeshiva, while supervising Yeshivat “Oz V’Hadar” – under the auspices of Porat Yosef – which was dedicated to the study of Kabbala and where the daily Tefillot were held in accordance with the Kavanot Ha’Arizal. Two years later, he became a Dayan for the Sephardic community of Yerushalaim and subsequently Dayan and Rav of Petah Tikva.
After his father’s passing, Hacham Ovadia returned to Yerushalayim to serve as a Dayan in the Bet Din HaGadol and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat HaMekubalim “Bet-El”. His work “Yaskil Avdi” is comprised of eight volumes of responsa to questions in all areas of Halacha from around the globe – from Beirut to Djerba, Poland, New York and even Singapore. Hacham Ovadia was also known as an inspirational Darshan and devoted leader.
It is told that Hacham Shalom, father of Hacham Ovadia, was very fearful for his son’s eyesight, as he himself suffered from loss of vision as he entered old age. He would warn his son not to learn at night at the candlelight, so that he would not strain his eyes. Hacham Ovadia did not wish to cause his father anguish, so he would go to sleep when his father would – only to wake up a bit later and study at the candlelight until dawn. The Arab guard would lament: “I’m rarely needed at the Hedaya home, as the candle burns all night!”
Hacham Mordechai Eliyahu זצ”ל related another story that illustrates the great harmony of wisdom, Tzidkut and meticulousness in Halacha that existed in Hacham Hedaya. One day, the young Hacham Mordechai Eliyahu met Hacham Hedaya, who was in his seventies, at the Mikve before dawn, preparing to pray Shaharit at sunrise. It seemed as though the steep staircase and freezing water did not slow Hacham Hedaya not one bit, as we went about his Tevilla with great energy.
Sometime later, a lady approached Hacham Hedaya to invite him to officiate at their Simha. Hacham Hedaya replied that he is old and it would be very difficult for him to attend. Hacham Mordechai was surprised. After all, he’d seen Hacham Hedaya’s agility at the Mikve – his age was obviously not a factor!
Hacham Hedaya explained that he knows that this Simha was not going to be held in accordance with Halacha and thus would rather avoid it. He used his age as an excuse so that the lady would not be offended. Hacham Mordechai told Hacham Hedaya that this must be the meaning of the Gemara that says that in the times of our forefathers there was a coin with an image of an elderly Avraham and Sarah imprinted on one side, and that of a young Avraham and Sarah imprinted on the other. Just like Hacham Hedaya, one must be swift and energetic when tending to Mitzvot, yet deliberate and careful from situations of potential wrongdoing. Hacham Hedaya liked the insight, but felt humbled by the comparison. He told Hacham Mordechai: “You can say that at my Hesped!”
Hacham Ovadia Hedaya passed away on the 20th of Shevat, 5729 (1969) and was buried in Har HaMenuhot. At the funeral, Hacham Mordechai Eliyahu delivered a tearful eulogy. During the subsequent Shiv’a, one of Hacham Hedaya’s relatives approached Hacham Eliyahu and told him that the Niftar asked him in a dream why did Hacham Eliyahu not eulogize him. Hacham Eliyahu was in awe as he was reminded of that incident, and of Hacham Hedaya’s remark.