Rabbi Hayim Palachi (1788-1869) and his eldest son Rabbi Avraham Palachi (1809-1899) were the most prominent theologians of the Izmir Jewish community in the 19th century. Their reputation went beyond Izmir and the Ottoman Empire. Both, being referred to as the greatest men of their period, caused the Jewish theologues of Europe and Middle East to come to Izmir for consultation.Rabbi Hayim Palachi, all through his life, wrote a total of 72 books. 26 of these books were published. He was awarded the “theologian responsible for justice” medal in 1861 by the Sultan Abdulmecid.