Born in Meknes, Morocco,
Rabbi Yossef Messas was an outstanding and original figure
among Moroccan rabbis. His father, the illustrious Rabbi
Hayim Messas, died in 1904 and the young orphan provided for
his mother and two brothers by working as a scribe,
illustrator, bookbinder, watchmaker and notary while keeping
up with his studies.
In 1924, he was invited by
the community of Tlemcen, Algeria, to serve as their rabbi.
He was much admired, and referred to as "El Hakham" (“The
Wise”). In 1940 he returned to Meknes, and served as rabbi
and dayan (judge). He was considered moderate yet
scrupulous. Being a handsome, good natured man, in Meknes he
was nicknamed "l'Ange Rose" (“The Pink Angel”). Soon after
retiring, he immigrated to Israel, in 1964. In 1970, he was
appointed Chief Sephardi Rabbi of the City of Haifa, and
served in this position until his death in 1974.
Rabbi Yosef Messas is the
author of many works. After his death the "Otsrot Yossef" (Yossef's
Treasures) association was founded in Haifa to ensure the
publication of his manuscripts. His first responsa "Mayim
Hayim" (Fez, 1934) was reprinted in Jerusalem in 1967. Other
works by Yosef Messas include "Ner Mitsva", "Pourim del
M'agaz", "Nahalat Avot" (3 volumes) and and "Otsar
Hamichtavim" (3 volumes).
Throughout his entire life
he tried to bring young people closer to religion and
tradition. An excellent orator, he meticulously prepared his
speeches and sermons.
HFG
Bibliography
MESSAS,
Yosef. Sefer Mayim hayim. [ha-`orekh veha-magiah]
Shelomoh Dayan. 2 vols. Yerushalayim: Sh. Dayan, <745- [1984
or 1985- >
MESSAS,
Yosef . Sefer Nahalat Avot v. <3-6; in 6 >
Yerushalayim: [h. mo. l.]; Hefah: Otsrot Yosef, <737-747
[1976 or 1977-1986 or 1987
MESSAS,
Yosef. Sefer Otsar ha-mikhtavim: 1949 mikhtavim she-nishlehu
le-khol doresh uva-hem mivhar rav shel no´s'im: halakhah,
derash, parshanut ha-Mikra veha-midrashim, toldot Yi´sra'el,
shirah, dikduk ve-`od ve-`od. 3 vols. Yerushalayim:
Mekhon Bene-Yi´sakhar : Otsrot ha-Magreb, 1998.
MESSAS,
Yosef. Sefer Ner mitsvah: `al `inyan Hanukah, Shabat,
derashot shonot. Pp. 16, 208. Yerushalayim: Otsrot ha-Magreb,
[1999]
MESSAS,
Yosef. Li-khevodah shel Torah : kitve yad, mikhtavim
mekoriyim u-devarim be-shem omram ha-nog`im li-khevodah shel
Torah veli-khevod talmide-hakhamim. Pp. 125.
Yerushalayim: M.M. Alharar, 5748 [1988]
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