Elazar Abuhatzeira

Who was Elazar Abuhatzeira?

Elazar Abuhatzeira was an Orthodox Sefardi rabbi and kabbalist, known among his followers as the "Baba Elazar."

He was born in Rissani, Morocco to Meir and Simcha Abuhatzeira, was the grandson of the Baba Sali, Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, and the brother of Rabbi David Chai Abuhatzeira of Nahariya.

He made aliyah to Israel in 1966, remaining in Beersheba, where he ran a yeshiva.

Abuhatzeira was known for his work and influence with business and political leaders, as well as his study of Kabbalah. Abuhatzeira, who had studied at Porat Yosef Yeshiva, had a following as a spiritual leader.

He was one of Israel's leading kabbalists, and appeared in a list of the country's wealthiest people, with estimated assets of $80 million in 2011.

Abuhatzeira was known for wearing a cloak whose long hood covered most of his face, reportedly so he would not see any "immodest images of women". He had a tunnel dug between his home in Beersheba and the yeshiva he headed, where he received believers.