Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, known as the Baba Sali, was born on Rosh Hashanah 5650 (26 September 1889) in Rissani, in the Tafilalet region of Morocco. He was the son of Rabbi Mas'ud, av beit din of the city, and of Aisha ben Hamou, and the grandson of Rabbi Yaakov Abuhatzeira, the Abir Yaakov, of a family of kabbalists renowned for their holiness.

As a child he studied day and night, and at the age of twelve he secretly fasted during the weeks of Shovavim. At the family yeshiva the students rose at midnight for Tikkun Chatzot, studied Kabbalah until dawn and then went to the mikveh before the morning prayers. He also learned shechitah, milah and the writing of Torah scrolls, and took on long periods of fasting and silence.

When his father died in 5668 (1908), his elder brother Rabbi David succeeded him, and at eighteen Rabbi Yisrael became rosh yeshiva in Rissani. After Rabbi David was killed in 1919 he moved to Boudnib, where he re-established the yeshiva and was appointed rabbi of the Tafilalet; from 1939 he served as av beit din in Erfoud. He travelled to the Land of Israel several times, notably in 1922, when he studied at the Beit El kabbalists' yeshiva.

He first settled in Israel in 1951 but left a few years later, returning for good on 1 Tevet 5725 (6 December 1964). He lived in Yavne and then Ashkelon before settling in Netivot in 1970, where he remained for the rest of his life. People came from everywhere to receive his blessing, and he was especially revered by Moroccan Jews. Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu was among his students.

During his lifetime only a few of his piyyutim were published, the best known being "Yodu lecha ra'ayonai." His son Rabbi Baruch later published a manuscript of his, together with teachings recorded by his students, under the title Ahavat Yisrael.

He passed away in Netivot on Sunday, 4 Shevat 5744 (8 January 1984), and was buried the same day at a massive funeral. His hilloula at his tomb in Netivot draws tens of thousands of people every year.