Hayim David HaLevi
Rabbi Hayim David HaLevi (24 January 1924 – 10 March 1998), also written Haim David ha-Levi, etc. (), was Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Yafo. Biography. He was born in Jerusalem and studied under Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel at the Porat Yosef Yeshiva. When R. Uziel was appointed Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, he hired R. HaLevi as his personal secretary and as a close student. He then served as the rabbi of various cities in Israel: In 1997, HaLevi was awarded the Israel Prize, for Rabbinical studies. His writings. R. HaLevi was known for  his clear-headed approach to "halakha", particularly those relating to the Jewish state. Though unquestionably tied to Sephardi "minhag", liturgy and "halakha", R. HaLevi also includes Ashkenazi "halakhic" positions and customs in his books and responsa. R. HaLevi seems to be the first Rabbi who published a Halachic prohibition of smoking.