Rav Avrohom Kalfon
A Parnass of Tripoli, master of nigleh and nistar and friend of the Chida, who settled in Tzfas and wrote Chayei Avrohom.
Biography
Early years
Rav Avrohom Kalfon zt"l was born in Libya in 5495 (1735). His father was Rav Refoel. The family was a distinguished one, descended from parnassim (communal leaders) and dayanim (rabbinical judges).
Torah and leadership
Rav Avrohom writes of himself that he was appointed Parnass of Tripoli in 5535 (1775) and held the post until 5541 (1781). He served a second term from 5552 (1792) until 5558 (1798).
He was fluent in both nigleh and nistar, the revealed and the hidden parts of the Torah. He also had a deep interest in history. He searched through archives for manuscripts and became an expert in the Jewish history of ancient Tripoli.
Rav Avrohom was renowned for his tzedakah, especially for needy talmidei chachamim.
He had a special relationship with the Chida, and the two exchanged many letters. In 5564 (1804) Rav Avrohom went to Livorno, where he lived near the Chida for a year and a half.
Teachings and seforim
Rav Avrohom wrote numerous seforim. The best known is Chayei Avrohom, on the reasons for the mitzvos.
Later years and passing
His love of Eretz Yisroel moved him to settle there in 5566 (1806). He made his home in Tzfas, where he remained for the rest of his life.
Rav Avrohom was niftar on Shabbos Teshuvah, the sixth of Tishrei 5580 (1819), at the age of eighty-four.
Seforim
- Chayei Avrohom: On the reasons for the mitzvos; the best known of his many seforim.