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The Luach Colel Chabad is a calendar published annually by Colel Chabad. It includes instructions for special prayers and Torah readings according to the Chabad custom. It also mentions red-letter days for Chabad, whether they affect the prayer service or no. Among these are the yahrzeits (anniversaries of death) of the Lubavitch chief rabbis and a few other rabbis important to Chabad. But not all rabbis or great people — not even arguably the greatest — are included. The yahrzeits of Moshe, Aharon, and the Ari, for example, are not mentioned. But the yahrzeit (Tamuz 15th) of Rabbi Chayim ben Atar, the Or Hachayim, is mentioned in the calendar (PDF). Why is it?

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The Ohr HaChaim was the leader of the generation before the Baal Shem Tov. It's probably because of his connection with the Baal Shem Tov (for instance the famous story of how the Baal Shem Tov intended to meet with him in Eretz Yisrael) that it's mentioned in the calendar. –  Danield Jun 23 '13 at 22:04
Interestingly, the calendar which it is based on, does not seem to include any yahrtzeits or similar dates. –  HodofHod Jun 23 '13 at 22:35

2 Answers 2

See the story about the Baal Shem Tov knowing about the Ohr HaChayim's death because he (the Baal Shem Tov) had received the secret of hand washing, which had previously been entrusted to the Ohr HaChayim.

From there:

Chassidic tradition is that the main reason the Baal Shem Tov twice tried so hard (and failed) to get to the Holy Land was that he said if he could join the Ohr HaChaim there, together they could bring Moshiach. He is buried outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.

See also the story here, titled: 'Journey to the Holy "Ohr Hachaim"'

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Do you have any more details about the hand washing? –  Double AA Jul 24 '13 at 5:24
@DoubleAA: Are you asking me to put more details in my answer, or are you asking for more information? The story I linked to gives some more details. –  Menachem Jul 24 '13 at 5:44

I have no idea if it's relevant, but the story goes that the Noda Bihuda's daughter was, unbeknownst to her father, a fan of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov (the "0th Lubavitcher Rebbe.") While talking with him, at some point he abruptly tore his garments. Weeks later they received the news of the Or HaChaim's death -- at the date and time the Baal Shem Tov had suddenly torn his clothing in mourning! She told her father this was proof that Baal Shem Tov had divinely-inspired knowledge.

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