Rabbi Rahamim Attia, Elder of the Kabbalists, Dies at 95

Deep mourning has spread through the world of Torah and Kabbalah after the death of Rabbi Rahamim Attia, one of the senior sages of the Aram Tzoba tradition and a respected figure in the Naher Shalom Kabbalists' yeshiva in Jerusalem. He died peacefully at Shaarei Tzedek Hospital at the age of 95.

Attia was born on 22 Av 5691, the son of Rabbi Yitzhak Attia, into a distinguished family from Aleppo, Syria. In Jerusalem he was known as a hidden righteous man and a leading kabbalist, devoted day and night to study and to the mystical intentions of the Rashash, while remaining completely detached from worldly matters.

In his youth, he was especially beloved by Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi, who studied esoteric Torah with him and personally appointed him to serve as Torah reader and prayer leader in his study house, roles Sharabi reserved for people who were exceptionally careful not to anger. Over the years, Attia became related by marriage to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, chief rabbi and president of the Council of Torah Sages, when his daughter married Yosef's son, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.

He leaves behind 13 children and many descendants who follow the path of Torah and reverence, including his son-in-law, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the Sephardi Chief Rabbi. Funeral details were still to be announced.