Ben Walid was a religious leader and worked to improve the education of the Jewish community in the city of
Tétouan, founding the first-ever school of the
Alliance Israélite Universelle in the city in 1862. After he died in 1870, on the 9th of
Adar Sheni, 5630 in the
Jewish calendar, at the age of 93, his tomb became a pilgrimage site, as well as the study room he had in the upper room of his
synagogue, built in 1889 The tomb and his synagogue are visited on the anniversary of his death by
Moroccan Jews from France, Israel, Panama, Venezuela, Canada and other countries where they settled. As customary in the
Haketia-speaking communities of the former
Spanish protectorate in Morocco, chants are sung in that variety of
Judaeo-Spanish.
Diaspora On the hiloula of Ben Walid,
Moroccan Jews celebrate by singing
baqashot at community centers or synagogues.
Legend There is a legend that says that his
walking stick has mystical healing powers, especially for pregnant women experiencing difficulties during their pregnancy, as well as women with fertility problems. ==See also==