Chaim Pinto

Chaim Pinto

Rabbi Ḥaim Pinto (1748–1845) was the leading rabbi in the seaport city of Essaouira, Morocco, known in his lifetime as Mogador, Morocco. Rabbi Pinto, himself born into a distinguished rabbinic family, had four sons, Rabbi Yehouda also known as Rabbi Haddan, Rabbi Yossef, Rabbi Yehoshiya and Rabbi Yaacov.

Annually, on the anniversary of Rabbi Pinto's death, ( 26 Elloul 5605, in the Jewish calendar) Jews from around the world come on pilgrimage to pray at the rabbi's grave in the Jewish Cemetery of Essaouira.

Rabbi Pinto is remembered as a man whose prayers were received in heaven in such a way that miracles resulted.

The Ḥaim Pinto Synagogue, the building that was Rabbi Pinto's home, office and synagogue is preserved as an historic site.

Rabbi Pinto's followers and descendants have a number of synagogues worldwide, including the Pinto Center synagogue on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, which was founded by Rabbi Yaacov Pinto.

Contemporary descendants include Rabbi Yishayahu Yosef Pinto, Rabbi Ḥaim Pinto of Ashdod, Israel, Rabbi David Pinto