Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Barry <nebarry AT verizon.net>]

On 8/8/2012 8:28 AM, Yigal Levin wrote:
> I often ask myself if Sir Isaac is serious in his musings, or if he's just having fun. Baba Sali is not a biblical 
> term. It is the nickname of the late Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzera (1890–1984), who was a leading kabbalist (and 
> reportedly a miracle-worker) who lived in the southern Israeli town of Netivot. The "Sali" is short for 
> "Yisrael", and the Baba is a term of respect and endearment, like "papa". Had he lived in New 
> York he might have been called "Papa Izzy". Have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_Sali
>
> The word that Isaac misquotes from Dan. 6:11 is Aramic, not Hebrew.
>
> Yigal Levin

And hard to believe that someone would take the joke seriously.  BTW, 
there are several youtube videos showing a young Desi Arnaz performing 
Babalu Aye, quite a bit of fun.

--
N.E. Barry Hofstetter
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The American Academy
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