Rav Masoud Chai Rokeach

Early years

Rav Masoud Chai Rokeach zt"l, known as the Ma'aseh Rokeach after his great work, was the son of Rav Aharon. He was born in Izmir, Turkey, about 5450 (1690).

He learned in Izmir under Rav Chaim Abulafiah, and then under Rav Yitzchok HaKohen Rappaport, the author of Botei Kehuna.

Torah and leadership

Rav Masoud moved to Eretz Yisroel, where he was known as one of the Torah giants of Yerushalayim. He corresponded in halacha with rabbanim in Italy and in Izmir.

Around 5500 (1740) he was sent to Libya to raise funds for the community in Yerushalayim. The community there asked him to stay and serve as its Rav, and during his time in Libya he helped the kehillah grow in Torah and mitzvos.

Later, Rav Masoud settled in Livorno, Italy, where he sat on the Bais Din together with Rav Yaakov Lusinah and Rav Yitzchok Inrikis.

Seforim and passing

Rav Masoud wrote many seforim. The most famous is Ma'aseh Rokeach, a three-volume work on the Rambam. He also wrote Divrei HaBraisa, commentaries on the five Megillos, and Chiddushei Hashem on the Gemara. Many of his other works remain in manuscript.

Rav Masoud was niftar on the tenth of Av 5528 (1768) in Tripoli, Libya.