Jacob ben Ḥayim

Born in Baghdad to Rachel (Somekh) and Yosef Ḥayim, the Ben Ish Ḥai (a leading rabbi, kabbalist, and halakhist) Jacob ben Yosef Ḥayim studied privately with his father after completing kutab (Jewish primary school). Despite being an accomplished halakhist and kabbalist, ben Yosef Ḥayim maintained a modest position until his father’s death in 1909, when he was elected to fill his father’s place on the rabbinical council. He published many of the Ben Ish Ḥai’s responsa and writings.