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Tomb of Rabbi Haim Pinto, Essaouira, Morocco
Within the Old Jewish Cemetery of Essaouira, Morocco lies the Tomb/Mausoleum of Rabbi Haim Pinto (1794-1845).
Description
Rabbi Haim Pinto: Rabbi Haim Pinto (also known as “Chaim Pinto” and “Hayyim Pinto”) was born in Agadir, Morocco in the 1740s In 1761, when his father, Rabbi Shlomo Pinto Zazal, died, and an earthquake struck Agadir, Haim Pinto became a refugee with other Jews from Agadir, and migrated to Essaouira, Morocco.[1] While there, he underwent rabbinical teaching under Rabbi Yaacov Bibas and served on the rabbinical court of Essaouira.[2] Upon Rabbi Bibas’ death in 1769, Haim Pinto was appointed asthe Head of the Rabbinic Court by his community.[3] Throughout his life, and especially by his time of death, Rabbi Haim Pinto was known as a prolific writer, a sage, and a miracle worker, being venerated by both Jews and Muslims. His saintly lineage continued with his grandson, Hayyim Pinto ha-Qatan, and David Pinto. [4]
The Old Jewish Cemetery in Essaouira is renowned as the site of an annual pilgrimage to Rabbi Haim Pinto’s tomb.[5] Annually, on the hillula or anniversary of the rabbi’s death (26 Elul on the Jewish calendar), Jews from around the world come on pilgrimage to the rabbi’s grave. [6] For more information about the Old Jewish Cemetery in Essaouira, visit: http://archive.diarna.org/site/detail/public/2306/.
Sources
Notes
1 "Rabbi Chaïm Pinto Hagadol Zatsal." Hevrat Pinto Institutions à La Mémoire De Rabbi Haïm Pinto. Accessed July 7, 2021. https://hevratpinto.org/tzadikim_eng/001_rabbi_chaim_pinto_hagadol.html.
2 Oren Kosansky, “Hayyim Pinto,” in Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World, ed. Norman A. Stillman (Leiden, Netherlands: Brill), Accessed 20 July 2021.
3 Kosansky, “Hayyim Pinto”
4 Kosansky, “Hayyim Pinto”
5 “Jewish Cemetery (and Tomb of Rabbi Haim Pinto),” in “The Untold Stories of the Jewish Quarter of Essaouira.” n.d. World Monuments Fund. https://www.wmf.org/slideshow/walk-through-mellah
6 "Hundreds of Moroccan Jews Celebrate Hiloula of Pinto's Legacy in Essaouira." Morroco World News, September 17, 2017. Gale In Context: Global Issues. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A560116558/GIC?u=mlin_m_wellcol&sid=ebsco&xid=b7a559fe.
Works Cited
Kosansky, Oren. “Hayyim Pinto,” in Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World, ed. Norman A. Stillman (Leiden, Netherlands: Brill),
"Hundreds of Moroccan Jews Celebrate Hiloula of Pinto's Legacy in Essaouira." Morroco World News, September 17, 2017. Gale In Context: Global Issues. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A560116558/GIC?u=mlin_m_wellcol&sid=ebsco&xid=b7a559fe.
“Jewish Cemetery (and Tomb of Rabbi Haim Pinto),” in “The Untold Stories of the Jewish Quarter of Essaouira.” n.d. World Monuments Fund. https://www.wmf.org/slideshow/walk-through-mellah
"Rabbi Chaïm Pinto Hagadol Zatsal." Hevrat Pinto Institutions à La Mémoire De Rabbi Haïm Pinto. Accessed July 7, 2021. https://hevratpinto.org/tzadikim_eng/001_rabbi_chaim_pinto_hagadol.html.