The Or HaChaim’s Secret on Hand Washing Passed to the Baal Shem Tov
On the 15th of Tammuz, marking the yahrzeit of the revered Or HaChaim Hakadosh, Rabbi Chaim ben Attar, a notable Jewish scholar and mystic, Amiran Dvir reflects on his teachings and legacy. Born in Morocco in 1696 and passing away in 1743 at age 47, the Or HaChaim spent his final years in the Land of Israel. Descended from a family expelled from Spain during the Spanish expulsion, he was a mohel and a prolific preacher, delivering daily sermons to diverse audiences, including special teachings for women.
The Or HaChaim was renowned for inspiring many Jews to repentance through his moral and spiritual guidance. He interpreted the Torah’s commandment of offering sacrifices as a metaphor for drawing hearts closer to God, emphasizing the spiritual reward for those who bring others closer to faith. A story recounts how the Baal Shem Tov’s brother-in-law attended one of the Or HaChaim’s lessons and questioned the presence of a questionable student; the Or HaChaim explained this was his method of reaching even the most distant souls.
Significantly, the Baal Shem Tov himself reportedly sensed the Or HaChaim’s passing on the day it occurred, expressing sorrow while washing his hands on Shabbat. He revealed that the mystical secret of the hand-washing ritual is transmitted in each generation to a single chosen individual, and that he had now inherited this secret from the Or HaChaim.
Additionally, the Or HaChaim offered a profound interpretation of the Torah portion Pinchas, explaining why Pinchas is linked to his grandfather Aaron the High Priest. He taught that Pinchas’s zealous act corrected the damage caused by Aaron’s role in the sin of the Golden Calf, thus completing a spiritual rectification. The Or HaChaim also discussed why the Torah mentions the names of the individuals slain by Pinchas only in the latter part of the portion, highlighting the magnitude of Pinchas’s courage and reward for killing a prominent tribal leader.
These teachings underscore the Or HaChaim’s deep engagement with Jewish law, mysticism, and communal leadership, and his influence on later spiritual leaders like the Baal Shem Tov. Amiran Dvir concludes with a blessing for Shabbat, honoring the enduring legacy of the Or HaChaim Hakadosh.