R. Yehuda Ayash was the Chief Rabbi of Algiers, thereafter emigrated to Jerusalem where he served as Dean in the Knesset Israel yeshiva that was established by R. Chaim ibn Attar, author of the “Ohr Ha'Chaim”. When the Ohr Ha'Chaim passed through Algiers, R. Yehuda Ayash wrote an approbation on his work. On his journey to Jerusalem, R. Yehuda Ayash stayed in Leghorn, where he met the Chida, and they immersed themselves in Torah together. There R. Yehuda Ayash wrote an approbation for the Chida’s first work; Sha’ar Yoseph. Many years later when R. Y. Ayash’s son, R. Yakov Moshe Ayash published this work, the Chida wrote a lengthy approbation where he describes his meeting with the author, and goes on to sing his praises. R. Yehuda Ayash authored other works: VeZot LeYehuda, Kol Yehuda, Lechem Yehuda and others. R. Yakov Moshe Ayash traveled from Jerusalem as an emissary for the Knesset Israel yeshiva, and during his stay in Leghorn published these works of his father. Upon his return to Jerusalem, R. Y. M. Ayash was appointed the Rishon LeZion.