Rabbi Israel Abou-Hatzira was a Moroccan-born rabbi and kabbalist.

The name Abou-Hatzira has become legendary in fact, story and song among wide circles of modern-day Jews. This is due in no small measure to the impact on the Jewish consciousness of the life of the Baba Sali, the "Praying Father" of the Moroccan Jewish community, who made Aliyah to the Land of Israel in the middle of the twentieth century.

Rabbi Israel Abuhatzeira was the scion of a family of great Talmudic scholars and Ba’alei Mofet (individuals who have the ability, through prayer, to perfom miracles).

His potential for greatness was recognized by his father, who encouraged him in his studies and, realizing that his son would be given the ability to have his blessings fulfilled, instilled in him the characteristic of Shemirat HaLashon, guarding one’s speech to an exceptional degree, as well as Shemirat HaEynayim, ("guarding one’s eyes"), to avoid witnessing unholy behavior.

Rabbi Israel was married at the age of sixteen to Precha Amsalem, who served as a worthy Ezer K’negdo, (a soul-mate and "helpmate" Genesis 2:18) throughout their long marriage. One occasion  was when the Baba Sali’s wife participated with him in the performance of a "miracle" . A non-religious soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, whose legs were paralyzed during the Yom Kippur War, came to them as a last resort for help. Rabbi Israel ascertained that he neither put on Tefillin nor observed the Shabbat. He told the soldier that God gives us limbs in order to serve Him, and if he would commit himself to becoming observant, he would help him receive a complete recovery. The soldier kissed the hand of the Baba Sali, and the Rabbi’s wife urged him to try to stand. Then, the paralized soldier stood up and began to walk.

Rabbi Israel was one of the leaders of the Aliyah of Moroccan Jewry to Israel, which saw the transfer of nearly the entire population of that community to the Holy Land.

Baba Sali settled in Netivot, adjacent to the Yeshivat HaNegev. Because of his great influence, the Negev began to blossom spiritually, and thousands of Jews returned to their religious roots in Torah Judaism. The influence of this great Tzadik ("righteous person") extended far beyond Netivot, the Moroccan Jewish community and Israel and he became a cherished leader of the Jewish community, worldwide.

Baba Sali's third wife, Rabanit Simi Abuhatzeira, who married Baba Sali when she was 15, lives in Netivot.

He died in 1984 (4 Shevat 5744). His funeral was attended by an estimated 100,000 people. His grave-site in Netivot has become a popular pilgrimage site in Israel. Two other people are buried nearby. His second wife, Miriam Abuhatzeira, is buried in an adjoining wing of the Baba Sali Tomb as well as David Bouskila, the builder and founder of the tomb complex. In 2007, his Hillula (the anniversary of his passing) is on Tuesday January 22nd, with celebrations beginning on Monday evening, which starts the 4th of the month of Shevat.

It is told that "One Day, Yisrael stormed angrily into his house. When questioned by his father, he explained that he had just had an argument with one of the boys in the neighborhood. His friend had taken something of his, and although little Yisrael repeatedly had asked for its return, the boy would not give it up".

"So, what did you do?" asked Rav Massoud.

With lowered eyes, the child replied, "I cursed him."

When Rav Massoud heard this, he rebuked Yisrael. "Your mouth has a power the strength of which you cannot yet measure; your words can seal the fate of men. Promise me that you will never curse anyone! You must only bless."

The child gave his word. He heeded the words of his father and never cursed. He would "only bless."

Soon it became known that the blessings of this young child brought miraculous results. He became famous as Baba Sali. A master of the Kabbala and a great Torah Sage, he took over his father's position as head of the yeshiva and Rabbi of the community. Although he regularly gave many lectures in Torah and kabbala, he did not permit his students to write them down because he wanted his scholarship to remain unknown. Nevertheless, his fame as a holy man and a righteous Tzadik continued to draw Jews to him from all over. Even Arabs came to receive his blessings and the coins he gave for charity.

At nineteen he was inducted as the Rosh Hayeshiva, after his father's death. After an extended one year trip to Eretz Yisrael he returned, and was compelled to take the position of Rav of the kehilla (community) after the murder of his brother by an Arab. He gave daily lectures, served as a judge in the beis din (rabbinical court), and set the tone for the kehilla. The community appreciated that nothing escaped his holy, penetrating eyes. Throughout Morocco, people converged on his home for his brachos, his counsel, and his encouragement.

In 1964 CE when Baba Sali noted that much of Moroccan Jewry had emigrated to Eretz Yisrael, he followed them and fulfilled his dream of settling there. Baba Sali chose Yavne as his home, because many of his followers had settled there.

In 1970 CE he moved to Netivot where he was steadily visited by Chassidim, Ashkenazim and Sephardim, who sought his unique counsel. He stressed emunah (faith), humility, ahavat Yisrael (love of fellow Jews) and kiyum hamitzvos (fulfillment of mitzvos). His phenomenal memory allowed him to access information at will, whether it dealt with law, Talmud, Kabbala,etc.

His love for the land of Israel led him to settle in a small town called Netivot. He was very humble and did not want to attract attention; however, his prophetic powers and his miraculous prayers soon became renowned. Thousands of Jews from all over the world would come to seek his advice and blessings for children, health, and livelihood. Baba Sali was very close to other great Torah scholars, especially the Lubavitcher Rebbe, whom he referred to as "the Great Eagle in the Heavens." He strongly encouraged the Rebbe's Mitzvah campaigns, especially urging young girls to light candles for Shabbat and Yom Tov.

A famous story is told about a day that Rabbi Israel Abuhatzeira was praying with his people. He was reciting the final prayer and opened his eyes.  He looked around and saw that everyone was gone. He stepped outside and went looking for them. He saw  that they were all hiding.

He asked them what was wrong and they were amazed.

They told him that a man with a gun came to the temple and aimed to shoot him. They all were afraid and ran out, thinking he is also going to run. Rabbi Israel Abuhatzeira did not hear anything of  what went on and was surprised to hear about it. When they went back to the temple, they did not find any evidence of the shooter.

One of the famous things that the rabbi said is that we must remember the torah’s ways, day and night.