Rav Yisroel Yaakov Algazi zt"l
הרב ישראל יעקב בן יום טוב אלגזי זצ"ל
Tammuz 6 , 5516
Known As: Ar'a D'Rabbanan
Father's Name: Yom Tov Algazi
Rav Yisroel Yaakov Algazi zt"l
Rav Yisroel Yaakov was born about 5440/1680. His father was Rav Yom Tov Algazi, son of Rav Shlomo Algazi, the mechaber of Yavin Shemua. The Algazi family was a distinguished one; the family produced many Rabbonim and Roshei Yeshiva. From his youth, Rav Yisroel Yaakov was renowned as a talmid chochom. He was a personal attendant to the venerated Rabbonim of Yerushalayim. After the petira of the Batei Kehuna, Rav in Yerushalayim, Rav Yisroel Yaakov was called upon to fill the post that was vacated. He served the Sephardic Kehilla in Yerushalayim with distinction. He also headed the thriving Beit E-l Yeshiva in Yerushalayim, from which many talmidim emerged to become Gedolei Yisroel. Rav Yisroel Yaakov served as Rav in the Yerushalayim kehilla until his petira on the sixth day of Tammuz 5516/1756.
Rav Yisroel Yaakov led a quiet life. He avoided the limelight, served Hashem and refused to publish his chiddushim. Nevertheless, he was revered by Rabbonim of the time. The Sha’ar HaMelech, when mentioning him in his sefarim, would call him “a holy and humble Chassid.” However, in 5497/1737 he came down with a debilitating illness and the doctors practically gave up on his life. Rav Yisroel Yaakov, in his eis tzora, vowed to publish his chiddushim. Miraculously, his health was restored. In the end, Rav Yisroel Yaakov published many seforim which somewhat reveal his greatness in Torah. Among his twenty-five seforim are Ar’a d’Rabbanan; Emes L’Yaakov; Ne’os Yaakov; Sheima Yaakov; She’eiris Yaakov and Klal Godol. Ar’a d’Rabbanan was reprinted many times, and was given a commentary by Rav Yehuda Ayash with the name Afra De’ar’a.
His son was the well-known Ri”t Algazi, who continued his father’s legacy and was a Godol b’Yisroel in his own right.
Yehi zichro boruch.
www.hamodia.com/features/day-history-6-tammuzjuly-4/