TzadikimRabbi Yaakov Chaim Sofer (Hebrew: יעקב חיים סופר) was a Sephardi Rabbi, Kabbalist, Talmudist and posek. He is the author of Kaf Hachaim, a work of halakha that he came to be known by.
Rabbi Sofer was born in Baghdad, Iraq. He studied the Torah under Abdallah Somekh and the Ben Ish Hai. In 1904, he journeyed to Ottoman Palestine together with colleagues Sadqa Hussein and the Asei HaYa'ar in order to meet with the Rishon LeZion, known as the Yisa Berakha, and to pray at the graves of the righteous. After visiting Jerusalem, he decided to settle there permanently. He studied in the Bet El yeshiva in the Old City of Jerusalem, well known for the study of kabbalah. In 1909 he moved to the newly founded Shoshanim leDavid yeshiva. It was here that he composed his works.
Sofer authored several works of halakha and aggadah. His books are known for discussing the original traditions of Iraqi Jews.
In Kaf Hachaim (כף החיים), Sofer discusses the halakha in light of the Rishonim and Acharonim. Kaf Hachaim, usually published in ten volumes, covers Orach Chayim (8 vol.) and parts of Yoreh De'ah (2 vol.). It is often compared to the Mishna Berura in terms of scope and approach, but differs in its more extensive reliance upon quotations. This work also surveys the views of many kabbalistic sages (particularly Isaac Luria), when these impact the Halakha. Shinun Halacha is a work summarising the Halakhic conclusions presented in Kaf Hachaim.
In addition to the Kaf Hachaim, Sofer authored:
May the merit of the tzadik Rabbi Yaakov Chaim Sofer protect us all. Amen
שיינה מינדל בת ר' יחיאל הללרבי יחיאל הלל בן רבי יעקבGary Fishmen ben Stanley María Oralia Hernández Garza bat MaríaGUADALUPE ARGIMIRO CABRERA ben LEANDRO CABRERAMercedes Yolanda Cabrera bat Mercedes
Laura Alicia bat María Alicia Joel ben MidgeEfrat bat ZionaNatalie bat AlexandraPatricio Luis Alberto Mauricio Angelo Gary ben SaraLUIS FELIPE CABRERA ben ROSA MAGDARoble G. Farias/Rivka bat Abraham bat Graciela Farias-Garzaהראל בן חנהRobert Eugene ben MarieAurelia bat Aureliaיצחק ירחמיאל בן משה פייבלכלב יצחק בן רבקהShmuel ben ManyaCarol Chanah Dinah bat Fortuna Mazal Veronica Alicia bat María GuadalupeZalman ben RuchelRoberto Isaac ben Teresa
Augusto ben Salvador R. HernandezNicole bat PilarMoshe Yitro ben Pedro Shaul ANANDA MICHELLE CABRERA bat DANNIELAGRACIELA ben ISMAELLUIS FELIPE CABRERA ben GUADALUPE ARGIMIROFlorrie Sésé bat KaeDaniel ben ShimonELSA CABRERA bat DANNIELAANANDA MICHELLE CABRERA bat DANNIELATzivia Gallegos bat DionicioIngrid bat HorstRobert ben Yosef James Nathan Kelley Jr. ben James Nathan Kelley Sr.TzadikimHillulot | Biographies | Prayers | Virtual Candle
