Parshat Bechukotai-The 42 comments of the Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh

There is a phenomenon at the beginning of our (2nd) parsha which can be easily overlooked. Rabbi Chaim Ibn Attar (known as the Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh) wrote 42 explanations to the first verse of this parsha. The story behind these comments (as related by Rabbi Isaac Bernstein zal) is as follows:

The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh lived in North Africa before moving to Yerushalayim(where he died at the very young age of 47-his house can still be visited in the Old City).His custom was to slaughter an animal every week and provide meat for Shabbat for his fellow villagers in North Africa, but only to those who were poor and could not afford meat for Shabbat. On one erev Shabbat all the animals were declared treif except for those of the Ohr Hachaim. A rich man came to him to try and persuade him to sell some meat for Shabbat, but Rabbi Ibn Attar refused. A poor man came in and he was given a very nice portion of meat (he happened to be a great Talmid Hacham in the town). The rich man proceeded to express his disapproval of the man who received the meat and Rabbi Ibn Attar stood by and listened but did not interfere. That night he saw in a dream that he was to be punished for idly standing by whilst a learned Jew was being insulted, and that he had to go into galut/exile.

Whilst on his travels he came to a village on erev Shabbat and as he was resting in a forest nearby, he composed in his mind 42 explanations for the first verse of parshat Bechukotei. He entered the village and was unknown to them and he received hospitality for Shabbat. His host told him that after the meal everyone goes to the Rabbi’s house to hear his Torah on the parsha and Rabbi Ibn Attar was happy to go with. As they were sitting there, the Rabbi announced that he will tell everyone what is being discussed in the ‘yeshiva shel maalah/heavenly court’. He said that there are 14 explanations being said in the name of ‘Rabbi Chaim Ibn Attar’. The Ohr Hachaim heard this and called out ’Chaim Ibn Attar’ wanting to impress on the audience a sense of humility. The people became upset with the stranger (completely misunderstanding the reason for his comments) but said nothing. The same thing happened again after Shabbat lunch (after another 14 comments)and also after Seudah Shelishit (again after another 14) .The people and the local Rabbi were becoming more incensed each time and immediately after Shabbat they took their guest and locked him in a room and explained that they were going to excommunicate him for his lack of respect. After Maariv a storm began, the likes of which had never been seen before. The town rabbi made a ‘she’elat chalom’ to find out why and he was told that the neshamot cannot return to Gehinnom yet as the Ohr Hachaim has not yet said Havdallah as he is locked up in the room in the synagogue! They immediately ran to free him and apologized to him. As a result of the experience his galut was ended and he returned to his home town having been forgiven for his original error.

Besides the awesome nature of this story, which gives us a little insight into the holiness of the great Rabbi Chaim Ben Attar, a lesson of the story is to give us a perspective on the nature of Torah commentary that we have ‘taken for granted’ for many years. We really need to revisit such commentary as the Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh , as it contains wonders beyond our imagination and when we appreciate the greatness of the author, we can be inspired to learn his magnificent commentary with a new sense of vigor and excitement.