Baba Dudu of Taroudant

There were two saints of the same family in southern Morocco: David Ben Baruc Ha Cohen (1700e-1800e), in the Souse region, south of Marrakech and Baba Dudu (1900e), his great grandson, named also David, whose tomb is in Taroudant.

Everyone knows that Jews are expected to drink until they lose their senses on the day of Purim, because on this day, Jews are expected to act like fools, dress like clowns, drink to loosen their minds and even play games of chance, where they risk losing fortunes earned in sweat and blood!

So it happened that on the occasion of Purim, a Jew got drunk in Taroudant and his Muslim partner took advantage of his intoxication to make him sign documents in which the Jew conceded his part in the business of his own free will. The day after Purim, the Jew went to conduct business as usual but his Muslim partner showed him signed and witnessed documents indicating that the partnership no longer existed!

The Jew realized then that his partner had taken advantage of his drunkenness to swindle him. But what could a Jew do in such case? As he could hardly have any recourse in Muslim courts, he went to Baba Dudu and said:
"I fulfilled a mitzvah and got drunk on Purim and now I am penniless and without means to earn a living! What shall I do, rabbi?'

"Go home and rest" replied Baba Dudu, "everything will fall into place!"

Shortly thereafter the Moslem got sick and no French doctor or Muslim holy man could cure him. The Moslem called upon Baba Dudu and said:

"If you cure me, holy man, half of my wealth will be yours and all my life I will dedicate half of my earning to the needy!''

Baba Dudu prayed on the behalf the Moslem and as it was a time when there was might in Jewish prayers, the man was cured. As promised, the man signed off half of his wealth to Baba Dudu who returned it to the rightful owner. The Moslem realized his mistake and vowed not to harm anyone ever again!