Typical leaf of paper, written on both sides [approximately 200 words!] in the hand of the leader of the Diaspora, Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, known by the moniker “Ben Ish Chai, ” after one of his books.
The leaf is written in semi-calligraphic script, in fluent, clear writing – the recognized script of the Ben Ish Chai. Its content has not been examined.
Rabbeinu Yosef Chaim [1833-1909], was known as the ‘Ben Ish Chai.’ He was the leader of Iraqi Jewry and the greatest Oriental sage of our time. He was born to Rabbi Eliyahu Chaim son of Rabbi Moshe Chaim, rabbi of Baghdad. He was a disciple of Rabbi Abdullah Somech. His genius and righteousness were apparent from a young age. He started sermonizing in the Great Synagogue when he was only 26 years old. He continued delivering these sermons every Shabbat and holiday for about fifty years. Thousands of people gathered to listen to his eloquent words for four to five hours. He was world-renowned as “once-in-a-generation” in his knowledge of the hidden and revealed Torah and was noted for his great sanctity. In 1869, he traveled to the Land of Israel to prostrate himself at the graves of tzaddikim, when it was Divinely revealed to him that his soul was rooted in that of Benyahu ben Yehoyada. He titled many of his dozens of works according to this name: Ben Ish Chai , Ben Ish Chayil , Ben Yehoyada , Rav Pe’alim , Od Yosef Chai and dozens more.
Manuscripts from the Ben Ish Chai are known to those who emigrated from Iraq for their value as a segulah for success and protection for those who possess them.
[2] pp. graph paper, 10×13 cm. Very fine condition. Tiny tears in the margins without damage.