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To the Jewish community in Morocco, visiting the tomb of Rabbi Haim Pinto Hagadol in Essaouira is a must. Born on July 1, 1749 in Agadir to a famous rabbinical family, his father Rabbi Chelomo Pinto Zatsal, made sure to teach him Torah before he died in 1761 when young Haim was only 12 years old. During the same year, Agadir was struck by an earthquake that destroyed much of its buildings and houses.
The city’s Jews, who relied heavily on the port to survive, were forced to leave for the newly built seaport «Mogador» to escape the consequences of the natural disaster. In an article entitled «The Jewish community of Mogador-Essaouira», published by journal «La Bienvenue et adieu», Sidney S. Corcos says that «the first ten families of Jewish merchants settled in (Essaouira) in 1764» were chosen by Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah and his right-hand man Samuel Sumbal.
A miraculous saint since a young age
It was during this time that Rabbi Haim Pinto's mother sent him to Mogador to join a Yechiva, «but the child preferred to go directly to the Synagogue to have some rest after a long journey», wrote the Hevrat Pinto Foundation. The same source explains that at the time, «one of Mogador's most important Rabbies was Rabbi Meir Pinto, a close relative of the late Rabbi Chelomo Pinto».
Legend has it that the night Rabbi Haim Pinto arrived in Mogador, his father Chelomo appeared to Rabbi Meir Pinto, accusing him of leaving his son «exhausted and hungry, sleeping alone at the Synagogue».
«Go and get him, welcome him in your home and lead him to Rabbi Yaacov Bibas' Yeshiva», he would have suggested. The legend also tells that Chelomo Pinto also appeared to his son Haim, «introducing Rabbi Meir» and promising to «watch over him».
When Rabbi Meir arrived at the synagogue, young Haim recognized him and told him about the vision he would have had. «Rabbi Meir realized then that the young child who stood before him would certainly become a saint», the same source said.
Haim Pinto was then entrusted to the Dayan of Essaouira, Rabbi Yaacov Bibas, who became his master. «Rabbi Haim Pinto's reputation soon crossed the walls of the Mellah of Mogador. Soon, all of Morocco echoed with the account of miracles and wonders accomplished by Rabbi Haim Pinto from a very young age», the same source recalled.
The same story was confirmed by Diarna, which indicates that «Pinto was known for the miracles he performed even during his childhood».
A judge you can't lie to!
In 1769, Essaouira lost its Dayan Rabbi Yaacov Bibas. Heads then turned to Rabbi Haim Pinto, who was only 20 years old then, to occupy this prestigious position, with his friend Rabbi David Ben Hazan as an adviser.
Head of the rabbinical court for more than 70 years, during which he founded one of the two existing synagogues in Essaouira, Rabbi Haim Pinto was also a prolific writer interested in rabbinical commentary and law.
As a Rabbi, Haim Pinto performed several miracles, accounts say. «His disciples heard him answer their questions, before asking them» and «those who came appeared before him were frightened by the light of his face and couldn’t lie to him», the legend says. «When a man came to see him, he knew everything about him», an account tells.
During his lifetime, Rabbi Haim Pinto fathered four sons : Rabbi Yossef, Rabbi Yochiahou, Rabbi Yaacov and Rabbi Yéhouda (known as Rabbi Hadane). The latter gave birth in 1855 to a child that he named after his father Rabbi Haim Pinto.
Rabbi Haim Pinto Hagadol died on 26 Elloul 5605 (September 28, 1845) at the age of 96. «The day of his death, he promised his disciples that those who would mention his name on the day of his Hiloula would have their prayers answered».
His Hiloula is thus celebrated every September. Pilgrims visit his grave in the Jewish cemetery of Mogador, before going to his synagogue and his house, located in the city's Mellah.
