Ben Ish Chai

Rabbi Yosef Haim – HaBen Ish Chai
100th Anniversary of his Death
Official Medal 2009/5770
Third Medal in the "Jewish Sages" Series

Rabbi Joseph Haim from Baghdad (1834 – 1909) was a halachic ruler, kabbalist, leader and teacher and he was known as the "Ben Ish Chai", after his famous book.
He was leader of the Baghdad Jewish Community for 50 years, refusing any official capacity or salary in reward. The people admired him not only for his greatness in Torah, but also for his piety and righteousness, to the degree that he was looked upon as an angel with above human attributes.
He had a profound love for the Land of Israel and, in his writings and teachings, he emphasizes the holiness of the Land. In 1869, the Ben Ish Chai visited the Land of Israel and was received in great esteem. He concerned himself not only with spirituality in the Land of Israel but also with the materialistic needs of the poor in the Land and ensured that his books were printed there to help sustain the people.
The rich heritage of the Ben Ish Chai is written in his books and has been passed on orally from generation to generation. It has served as a code of life throughout the generations to the present day.
This is the official medal commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the death of the Ben Ish Chai.

Obverse: On the medal face, the likeness of Rabbi Joseph Haim from Baghdad.

Reverse: The design on the common reverse represents the wisdom and holiness that emanate from the works of our Jewish Sages over the generations.

Edge:
Bronze medal: Milled.
Silver and Gold medals: Smooth.

Designer: Aharon Shevo.

Engraving: Romania.

Mint:
Bronze and Silver medals: Romania.
Gold medal: ICMC Mint.