‘Or HaChaim’ Seen as a Spiritual Shield, According to Article

The article presents Rabbi Chaim ben Atar, known as the Or HaChaim, as a towering spiritual figure whose difficult life was part of a messianic mission. It says he was born in Morocco in 1696, endured persecution, lost his property, and was imprisoned with lions before later reaching the Land of Israel. It also cites his own biblical commentary, quoting the phrase, “Messiah of the Lord, whose name is Chaim,” as evidence of his special soul.

The piece further says Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz, בשם his teacher the Baal Shem Tov, identified Or HaChaim as “the soul of the Messiah” in his generation, comparable to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. It adds that Or HaChaim instructed his sons, the founders of the Slavita press, to print his book every year, until they reportedly neglected to do so and the famous “Slavita Press” incident occurred.

A central section recounts a dramatic encounter between Or HaChaim and Rabbi Gershon of Kitov, during which, the article says, he revealed a disturbing spiritual vision about Europe. He allegedly said that Satan’s power over Poland was great and described seeing the “sitra achra” with one foot on Poland and the other on the rest of the world.

The article concludes that this history proves the book Or HaChaim is directly tied to the soul of the Messiah. It claims that learning, printing, or owning the work creates a unique spiritual protection over a person and their household, bringing miracles, safeguarding, and salvation. It also quotes Or HaChaim as promising that whoever spreads his Torah will be rewarded with “salvation from the God of heaven, great wealth, and long life.”