Yitzhak Nissim (1896 - 1981)

Former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel (Rishon LeZion)

Yitzhak Nissim was born in Baghdad to a family of famous rabbis. Because of their love to Eretz Yisrael they left Baghdad and emigrated to Eretz Yisrael between 1906 and 1908. They were among the first wave of such emigrants and set an example to others.

Eight years later, Rabbi Nissim returned to Baghdad, where he married and attended a Yeshiva. He was considered one of the most outstanding rabbinical scholars of Iraq and became known as the "Haham Nissim", entering into halachic correspondence with heads of Lithuanian yeshivot and the rabbis of Eretz Yisrael. Nevertheless, he refused to accept a public position and preferred to work at home. In 1925 he dedicated himself to the work of an organization in protest against the demolition of old synagogues and the building of new and bigger ones, with the consent of the Elders of the Jewish community in Baghdad and various rabbis from Jerusalem.

Nissim read Hebrew fluently. He received newspapers and articles from Eretz Yisrael and assisted emissaries coming to Iraq, actively supporting all their work for emigration to Eretz Yisrael.

In 1925 Rabbi Nissim settled in Jerusalem. He was considered one of the greatest and most influential rabbis of his generation in the Responsa he wrote on halachic and contemporary issues. In 1955, he was appointed Rishon LeZion. In this position, he emphasized his function as a bridge between the different sectors of society and he connected sucessfully with left-wing kibbutzim, religious people, scientists, rabbis and public officials. He was also instrumental in the recognition of the Bene Israel (Indian Jews) as part of the Jewish people and their right to immigrate to Israel. His most famous act was his refusal to meet Pope Paul VI, during his visit to the Holy Land in January 1964, after the Pope refused to meet the Jewish religious leadership. An important ruling for which he was also noted was that with Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Unterman in 1967, against "entering any part of the Temple Mount", after the reunification of Jerusalem.