Rabbi Yeshua Bessis was born in Tunis in 5533 (1773). He studied under Rabbi Moshe Saloum, author of Yismach Moshe on tractate Zevachim, and under Rabbi Yitzchak Taieb, author of Erech HaShulchan.

He first sat as a dayan on the rabbinical court of Rabbi Yitzchak Taieb. In 5607 (1847), when the chief rabbi of Tunis, Rabbi Yitzchak HaKohen Tanuji, passed away, Rabbi Yeshua was appointed in his place as chief rabbi and head of the rabbinical court of Tunis, a post he held until his death. He taught Torah for many years and raised disciples who became leading rabbis of Tunisia, among them Rabbi Avraham HaKohen Yitzchaki and Rabbi Avraham Hajaj. He also cared for the material needs of the students of his yeshiva.

Known for the depth and sharpness of his learning, he was also regarded as a great master of Kabbalah and a worker of wonders. Many popular stories show him protecting the Jewish community. The best known tells that before Sukkot the myrtle sellers, from whom the Jews of Tunis bought the branches used to cover their sukkahs, agreed among themselves to multiply the price; his miraculous intervention led the ruler to order the former price restored. Throughout Tunisia he was simply called "Morenu HaRav" or "Gaon Uzenu", and his fame spread beyond the country.

Works: Avnei Tzedek, in two volumes, on the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim and Yoreh De'ah), published in Tunis from his manuscripts by Rabbi Moshe Shetrug. Other responsa and rulings appear in collections such as Ma'aseh Beit Din and Ginzei Shalom.

He passed away at the age of 87 on 9 Tevet 5620 (January 4, 1860). His contemporaries said he departed "with a crown of gold" (be-keter paz), since he died in the year Keter (5620) at the age of Paz (87). Out of reverence the people fasted two days in a row: on the day of his death and on the fast of 10 Tevet.