Rabbi Chaim Pinto, known as Hakatan ("the small") to distinguish him from his grandfather Rabbi Chaim Pinto Hagadol ("the great"), who is buried in Mogador, was born in that same city of Mogador (Essaouira) in 5625. He was the son of the tzaddik Rabbi Yehudah Pinto, known as Rabbi Hadan.

He studied the Talmud and the halachic authorities with great diligence. In the last years of his life he moved from Mogador to Casablanca, where the Jewish community provided him with an apartment so that he could learn without worrying about rent. His home at 36 Commandant Provost Street has become a place where Jews come to light candles.

He went from house to house collecting money to distribute to the poor of the city, and he himself lived from these donations. After allocating the funds, he would wash the scarf he used for the collection. He preferred to eat with poor families rather than with the wealthy, and he also did the shopping for the sick and the needy. He was known for his modesty and for his gift of prophecy.

On Saturday nights he hosted Melaveh Malkah gatherings at his home, where he played the violin and sang poems, including those of his grandfather and of Rabbi Israel Najara.

He passed away on 15 Cheshvan 5698 (October 20, 1937) and was buried in the old Jewish cemetery of Casablanca. His son, Rabbi Moshe Aharon Pinto, would come to pray at his grave, and the faithful still visit it on the day of his hilloula.