Born in Morocco, the Ohr HaChayim also lived and taught in Algiers, Italy, Acco, and Jerusalem, where he settled a year before his passing.
As a boy, the Ohr HaChayim was already well known to be holy and wise beyond his years. He was completely detached from materialism and fasted a lot but never allowed it to disrupt or affect his extensive Torah learning. His book, the “Chafetz HaShem”, was completed by him as a young man, a testament to the scholarly and righteous qualities he has become famous for.
The Ohr HaChayim married his second cousin, the daughter of Rabbi Moshe Ben Atar who was a rich man in Meknes and the personal adviser of the Moroccan king. His popularity grew tremendously among the people of Meknes and many students came to learn Torah from him. He made his living as a goldsmith but, just like with everything else, ensured that his work would never interfere with his Torah study.
One day, a messenger from the king came to the Ohr HaChayim with a piece of gold and asked him to prepare an exquisite piece of jewelry for the royal wedding of the princess. The Ohr HaChayim put the gold in a safe and secure place and returned to his studies, knowing that he still had ten days ahead of him to complete the project. When he returned home he completely forgot about the king’s request. Ten days passed and the messengers returned to the Ohr HaChayim, who admitted that he hadn’t started the requested job. The king ordered for him to be thrown into a lion’s den as punishment, but to everyone’s amazement, the lions stood up in honor of the Ohr HaChayim and left him completely unscathed instead of eating him alive.
So great was the Ohr Chayim that Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, one of the biggest figureheads in Jewish history, tried many times, unsuccessfully, to reach the Holy Land of Israel and meet with him, in the belief that together they could bring Moshiach (the final redemption).
On the 15th of Tamuz, the Ohr HaChayim passed away and was buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.
May his merit be for the benefit of us all.