Treasures of the Chida for Pesach: A Spiritual Journey 

With Pesach nearing, we have the opportunity to delve into profound spiritual treasures. Among the most fascinating sources for this holiday are the writings of Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai, known as the Chida. In this first article of a series, we embark on a captivating journey through his unique Passover works, revealing how they continue to light up the Seder table today.

“On Pesach night, I would share new insights on the Haggadah for each section, and on the second night, new insights I hadn’t mentioned on the first. The servant of the wealthy Racheim took the matzah vessel and the required vegetables, passed them over each man’s head three times, then went to the women sitting aside and did the same for them. He asked if the women also needed it three times, and I said, ‘Mercy, mercies for a man’s head’ (Judges 5:30)—three ‘mercies’ hint at the servant Racheim, but not for a woman’s head. I ate guarded matzah throughout Pesach, and after the holiday, I was ready to travel.” [The Chida in Maagal Tov Masot, while in Tunis]

Who Was the Chida?

Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai (1724–1806), known as the Chida, was one of the greatest rabbis and halachic authorities of his generation. Born in Jerusalem, he traveled extensively across Europe and North Africa as a rabbinic emissary (shadar). In Jerusalem, the Chida rose to prominence, studying under his revered teacher Rabbi Yona Navon, author of Nehpa B’Kesef, and associating with many of the city’s scholars of that era. For a time, he was among the 12 signatories of the famous Ahavat Shalom covenant, alongside Rabbi Yosef Algazi, Rabbi Gedaliah Hayyun (head of Beit El Yeshiva), and the holy Rashash.

The Chida was a prodigious scholar in Torah, halacha, Kabbalah, and sciences, authoring over 80 books across various fields. As a shadar for the Jerusalem community, he traveled the Jewish world, visiting many communities, as he describes:

“I recognize my shortcomings and lowliness in study and wisdom—not out of humility, for I am truly ignorant—but I would plead before the merciful God to grant me wisdom and a broad heart for the honor of the Land of Israel. People said there were no longer worthy Torah scholars in the Land of Israel, as they saw the emissaries—sometimes unlearned, and even the good ones were simple scholars. But in His mercy, He granted me the gift of speech!” [The Chida in Maagal Tov Masot, while in Tunis]

The Chida’s Passover Treasures

The Chida left behind six major works on the Passover Haggadah:

These six books form a treasure trove of interpretation, thought, and spirituality around the Passover Haggadah, reflecting the Chida’s genius and depth of Torah knowledge.

The Chida’s Kabbalistic Education

The Chida received his Kabbalistic training in several key Jerusalem institutions of the 18th century:

Notably, the Chida grew up in a family of Kabbalists—his father, Rabbi Raphael Yitzchak Zerachia Azulai, was a descendant of the Kabbalist Rabbi Avraham Azulai. These studies deeply influenced his writings and spiritual approach, as evident in his many works, including those on the Passover Haggadah.

A Deeper Look at the Six Books

In his numerous Haggadah works, the Chida revisits key themes, each time adding fresh insights. A recurring idea, cited from his ancestor (author of Chesed L’Avraham), is: “Every year, 30 days before Passover, Israel begins to emerge from the klipot (spiritual husks) little by little, until their complete exit on Passover night.”

He also extensively addresses a central question: How did Israel leave Egypt before the 400 years of “they shall serve them” (Genesis 15:13)? He offers dozens of explanations, including:

The Chida’s Haggadah by Machon HaMaor: A Treasure of Wisdom

For lovers of the Chida’s Torah, a new and special edition of his Haggadah has been published in recent years by Machon HaMaor, compiling all his Haggadah works into one volume. “There’s great value in consolidating all six commentaries in one place,” the editors explain, “as the Chida’s teachings are rich in one place and even richer in another. In every book he published, he overflowed like a gushing spring, adding and innovating even on topics he had previously addressed.”

A standout feature of this edition is the “Likkutei Chida” section, which gathers pearls from the Chida’s other works on the Haggadah, with precise source citations. This allows readers to see how the Chida expanded and developed ideas across his writings, often revisiting themes with new depth. For example, on the topic of Shabbat HaGadol, the Chida collected no fewer than 30 reasons for its name, scattered across his homiletic works like Devarim Achadim, Kisei David, Ahavat David, and Ruach Chaim. This edition compiles them all in one place for the first time.

The editors also meticulously integrated the Chida’s omissions and additions, often published as separate Kuntres HaShematot (addenda) with unique names like Simcha Shleima, Pnei Kisei, and Avotot Ahavah, into their proper places. An editor notes, “Readers of this volume will discover a world of wisdom, beautifully presented page after page in the Chida’s golden language—a rare opportunity to see how this generational genius built his Torah layer upon layer, revisiting, deepening, and innovating each time.”

Beyond the six main Haggadah works, the edition includes additional materials: a chapter from Lev David on Passover matters, ethical teachings and practices for the Seder night, and special prayers the Chida composed for the night of checking for chametz and after burning it. This unique edition is a treasure for anyone seeking to delve into the Chida’s Torah and bask in the radiant light it brings to the Seder table.

Kikar HaShabbat contributed to this article.