Why is there such a mystery about this name? Has no one since Steinschneider made any progress in identifying it? There are a number of Google hits for "Rabbenu Bahyai," but that form of the name does not otherwise seem to come up as an Arabic name. "Bahya" seems to appear mostly as an Indian name. What gives?
See Reuvein Margoliys, Penninm U Margpliyos p. 183 note 3 - there is ms. evidence that Bechaye/Bachye is a nickname - he says its like the name Alter which is meant to be a Segulah for Arichos Yamim.
He also cites R D Hoffmann's Magazin v 18 pg 30 1891
Wolf, I think R. Reuven's point was that the name should be pronounced "Bechaye", because it is meant to mean "he shall live", simialr to the way "Alter" (= live long and become old) was appended to sick people.
Anyone know how (Spanish) Sephardim pronounced it?
Commenting by HaloScan
