Commonly refered to as Baba Sali (Arabic for "Praying Father") was one of the most prominent Sephardi Rabbis and Kabbalists in recent times. The Abuchatzeira family has become legendary among wide circles of modern-day Jews for the piety, knowledge and miracles. The Abuchatzeira family includes many great Talmudical scholars and Ba'alei Mofet (individuals who have the ability through prayer of performing miracles). Rav Shmuel Abuchatzeira, who was described by Rabbi Chaim Joseph David Azulai (the Chida) as an Ish Elokim Kadosh, a holy man of God. Rabbi Shmuel's son, Masud (Moshe in Arabic), became the rabbi in the Moroccan city of Tafelatlech, and was followed in this position by his son, Yaakov. He is best known as the Abir Yaakov, ("Prince of Yaakov"), after his mystical and Kabbalistic commentary on the Torah printed in some editions of Mikraot Gedolot.

His eldest son, named Masud after his grandfather, was the father of Rav Yisrael, the Baba Sali, who soon distinguished himself by his devotion to Torah study and service of God. His potential for greatness was recognized by his father, who encouraged him in his studies and, realizing that his son would be given the ability to have his blessings fulfilled, instilled in him the characteristic of Shemirat HaLashon, guarding one's speech to an exceptional degree, as well as Shemirat HaEynayim, "guarding one's eyes"), to constantly keep holy images and thoughts in his mind. One famous "miracle" of Baba Sali was when a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces whose legs were paralyzed during the Yom Kippur war, came to him as a last resort for help. Rabbi Yisrael ascertained that he neither put on Tefillin nor observed the Shabbat. He told the soldier that Hashem gives us limbs in order to serve Him, and if he would commit himself to becoming observant, he would help him receive a complete recovery. The soldier kissed the hand of the Baba Sali.Then Rabbi's wife urged him to try to stand, and the soldier who had been paralyzed in his legs, stood up and began to walk. Rabbi Yisrael was one of the leaders of the Aliyah of Moroccan Jewry to Israel, which saw the transfer of nearly the entire population of that community to the Holy Land. He made Aliyah to Eretz Yisrael in the middle of the twentieth century. Baba Sali settled in Netivot, adjacent to the Yeshivat HaNegev.

He was very careful about the most minute questions of halacha, to the point that he insisted all the electricity to his house on Shabbat be produced by generators that were not being tended by Jews on Shabbat.Because of his great influence, the Negev began to blossom spiritually, and thousands of Jews returned to their roots. The influence of this great Tzaddik extended far beyond Netivot, the Moroccan Jewish community and Israel and he became a cherished leader of the world Jewish community. He passed away in 1984 and was believed to be well over 100 years old at his death. His funeral was attended by an estimated 100,000 people. His grave-site in Netivot has become a popular pilgrimage site in Israel. Two other people are buried nearby. His wife, Miriam Abuhatzeira, is buried in an adjoining wing of the Baba Sali Tomb as well as David Bouskila, the builder and founder of the tomb complex.