Hayim David HaLevi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rabbi Hayim David HaLevi (1924/5-1998), also written Haim David ha-Levi, etc. (הרב חיים דוד הלוי), was Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Yaffo. He was born in Jerusalem and studied under Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel at the Porat Yosef Yeshiva. When R. Uziel was appointed Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, he hired R. HaLevi as his personal secretary and as a close student. He then served as the rabbi of various cities in Israel:
- Romema, Jerusalem.
- Served in IDF during War of Independence
- Rishon Le-Zion (as Chief Rabbi of that city, 1951-1973)
- Israel's Chief Rabbinate Council (beginning in 1964)
- Tel Aviv-Yaffo (beginning in 1973, taking over from R. Ovadia Yosef).
[edit] R. HaLevi's books
- Mekor Hayim haShalem, a comprehensive code of Jewish law.
- Kitzur Shulchan Arukh Mekor Hayim, a digest of the above code.
- Aseh L'kha Rav, a collection of Responsa.
R. HaLevi was known for his clear-headed approach to halakha, particularly those relating to the Jewish state. Though unquestionably tied to Sephardi minhag, liturgy and halakha, R. HaLevi also includes Ashkenazi halakhic positions and customs in his books and responsa.
[edit] References
Encyclopaedia Judaica, "Halevi, Hayim David"
