Rabeinu Yosef Chayim Ben Eiyahu of Baghdad, known as the Ben Ish Chai, author of Ben Ish Chai, Od Yosef Chai, Rav Pealim, Ben Yehoyada and Mekabtziel (1834-1909), Rabbeinu Yosef Chayim of Baghdad, author of Ben Ish Chai, Od Yosef Chai, Rav Pe'alim, Ben Yehoyada, Aderet Eliyahu, and Imrei Bina, and many other works (1832-1904).

Both his grandfather, Reb Moshe Chaim, and his father, Reb Eliyahu, served as Rov of Baghdad.

Reb Eliyahu and his wife were childless for many years.

Finally, 10 years after their marriage, his wife made the long journey from Baghdad to Morocco to request a blessing from the renowned Reb Yaakov Buchatzeira, the Abir Yaakov.

The tzaddik blessed her that she would give birth to a child who would one day illuminate the eyes of Jews everywhere.

Less than a year later, she gave birth to a boy, who was named Yosef Chaim.

As a child, he spent most of his time studying in his father's large library.

At the age of 10, he left the Sephardic cheder in which he learned and began to study with his uncle, the tzaddik Reb Dovid Chai Nissim.

Reb Dovid later founded the famed Shoshanim LeDavid Yeshiva located in the Beis Yisroel section of Yerushalayim.

When his father passed away, Rabbeinu Yosef Chaim was only 25 years old.

Nevertheless, the Jews of Baghdad accepted him to fill his fathers position as Rov of Baghdad.

His opinion on halachic issues was sought throughout the Sephardi world and is still followed by thousands of people from these communities, and even outside these communities.

Rabbeinu Yosef Chaim's son, Reb Yaakov, succeeded him as rav and maggid of Baghdad.

His main disciple was the kabbalist and tzaddik Reb Yehuda Moshe Petaya.

Rabeinu Yosef Chaim, the Ben Ish Chai of Baghdad, was one of Sephardic Jewry's greatest luminaries. During his time, wherever Jews of Sephardic descent settled, they would refer their halachic questions to him. Today, nearly a century after his passing, his approach to halacha and his customs are still followed by Sephardic Jews from all sects, the world over. His writings are also treasured by all Jews, Sephardic and Askhenazic alike.

His main disciple, the kabbalist and tzaddik Reb Yehuda Moshe Petaya, once commented that a strong indicator of Rabeinu Yosef Chaim's greatness was the regard in which he was held even as youngster. "When he was still young," said Reb Petaya, "even the elders accepted his authority."

When the great Reb Abdallah Somech, for example, was presented with difficult halachic issues, he would send a note to Rabeinu Yosef Chaim asking for his opinion.
The Ben Ish Chai also corresponded in halacha with the leading sages of Jewish communities throughout the world, including those of European origin. His halachic work Rav Pe'alim contains a wide range of customs handed down by Ashkenazic sages, among them the Vilna Gaon, the Chasam Sofer, the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and even the Baal Shem Tov.

A UNIQUE CHILD
The Ben Ish Chai was born in 1832/5592, in Baghdad, Iraq, and descended from an illustrious line of Torah sages. His grandfather, Rabeinu Moshe Chaim, was a great sage who served as rov of Baghdad. In this capacity, he raised the spiritual level of Iraq's Jews.

The Ben Ish Chai's father, Rabeinu Eliyahu, was also a highly regarded talmid chacham. Upon Reb Moshe's petira, Reb Eliyahu succeeded him as rov and maggid of Baghdad. Rabeinu Eliyahu and his wife were childless for many years. Finally, 10 years after their marriage, his wife made the long journey from Baghdad to Morocco to request a blessing from the renowned Reb Yaakov Abu Chatzeira, the Abir Yaakov.

The tzaddik blessed her that she would give birth to a child who would one day illuminate the eyes of Jews everywhere. Less than a year later, she gave birth to a boy, who was named Yosef Chaim. Yosef Chaim's talents were evident from a young age. As a child, he spent most of his time studying in his father's large library. At the age of 10, he left the Sephardic cheder in which he learned and began to study with his uncle, the tzaddik Reb David Chai Nissim. Reb David later founded the famed Shoshanim LeDavid Yeshiva located in the Beis Yisroel section of Yerushalayim.