Moroccan tradition.

Lev, Danny · 1990

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzira, the Baba Sali. Each year thousands of Moroccan Jews gather at the Sages grave for a festive gathering. Baba Sali had both during his long life time of 94 years and since his death a big following and influence among the Moroccan community. He was regarded as an authority on all religious matters as well as being well versed on the more mystical aspects of Judaism. It has been a tradition that on the anniversary of his death there is a gathering at Netivot attended by political and public figures, even if they do not come from the Moroccan Community. This year the Prime Minister has meant to attend the celebrations, but decided not to because Baba Sali's son, Rabbi Baruch Abuhatzira, had been urging the government to talk to the P.L.O. Yitzhak Shamir's boycott of the event did not stop other politicians attending. David Levy, the Housing Minister, who himself is from Moroccan extraction arranged road and parking facilities in Netivot to facilitate the thousands who come each year to the memorial and hold Baba Sali as being almost a saint. Photo shows: a Moroccan origin sitting near the Baba Sali tomb at Netivot holding a portrait of the late Rabbi Baba Sali.