Today we mark the yahrzeit of Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar, writer of the Ohr Hachaim. Jews have been learning his writings for generations, seeing the actual learning as leading to spiritual transcendence and a repair for the soul.
It is said that the custom of placing notes between the Kotel stones, customary until today, may have begun at the time of the Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh when a Jew who had lost his assets turned to him and said, “I heard you know how to reach the Kiseh Hakavod using combinations of names based on kabbalah. Please write me an amulet to change my luck.
Rabbi ibn Attar answered, “I will give you a note that you will place between the stones of the Kotel. If you add prayers of your own, you will merit redemption, with G-d’s help.”
The man went to the Kotel. A strong wind came and blew the note out of his hand. The man returned to the Ohr Hachaim upset.
Later, the note was found by a passer-by whose curiosity led him to reading the note. Surprisingly, no letter combinations were found, just the man’s simple prayer. “To the Divine Presence, Please provide a good living for Ploni ben Ploni. Chaim ibn Attar.”
