YIḤYE, ISAAC HA-LEVI

YIḤYE, ISAAC HA-LEVI (1867–1932), selected as last chief rabbi of Yemenite Jewry, pupil and grandson of R. Shalom Manẓurah. Yiḥye was known for his Torah learning as well as for his understanding of worldly affairs. Appointed av bet din of *Sanʿa in 1901, he became chief rabbi of *Yemen in 1905, holding this position until his death. His rabbinical appointment corresponded with one of Yemenite Jewry's most difficult periods – following upon the war and the severe famine which struck the country in 1903–04. After this the community numbered only a third of its previous size. He reorganized the survivors and restored its religious and communal institutions, both internally and externally with regard to its relations with the central government.

Yiḥye's activities spread throughout Yemen, and by means of emissaries and rabbis he was vigilant in Torah and religious matters throughout the exile; in the fields of education, the rabbinate, matrimony and takkanot affecting society. Together with the heads of the Sanʿa community, he strove to found a modern school in the capital. For this purpose they entered into lengthy negotiations with the *Alliance Israélite Universelle, but for various reasons the plan did not materialize. As av bet din, his responsa were sent to all parts of Yemen. His numerous activities include the rescue of orphans from conversion and the smuggling of them into Palestine, and his purchase of the land of the Jewish district in Sanʿa from the hands of the Muslim waqf. Yiḥye also maintained contact with the Zionist organization in Palestine and assisted the immigration of Yemenite Jews. As official representative of the Jews, he was treated with honor and respect in the court of the imam and in government circles. He succeeded in using his influence for the benefit of his community.

[Yehuda Ratzaby]

Yiḥye's son, r. shalom isaac ha-levi (1891–?), was av bet din and chief rabbi of the Yemenite Jews in Israel (1925–1961) and took part in the educational activities of his community. He was also helpful in editing the responsa of R. Yiḥye *Sāliḥ (parts 1–2, 1946; part 3, 1965) to which he wrote the introduction. In 1955 he edited the Mishnah Berakhot, with the commentary of R. Obadiah of *Bertinoro, in Yemenite vocalization.