Hilulah Day: Tishri-5 Naphtali ben Yaakov Avinu

Northern Exposure, the general area of the Kevers. The water from the natural spring.


Hilulah Day: Tishri-5 Naphtali ben Yaakov Avinu


Born: Aram Naharayim, 1562 BCE.

Died: Egypt, 1429 BCE.

Naphtali was the Son of Jacob the Patriarch and Bilhah. He is one of the 12 Tribes.

Naphtali was born on the 5th of Tishrei and died on the same day at the age of 133 (Yalkut Shimoni, Shemot 162).

He was swift as a hind (Sota 13a).

He honored his father exeedingly. His father would dispatch him wherever he wished, and he was quick to fulfill his mission so that [his father] was pleased with him. [Moreover,] Naphtali's speech was pleasant to [his father], and therefore his father blessed him [as he did in Genesis 49:2] (Bamidbar Rabbah 14:11).

He went as a messenger anywhere the Tribes wished, and he would carry out their missions immediately (Midrash HaGadol, Bereishit 49:21).

When the brothers wanted to kill Joseph, Naphtali went and told Judah, who came and rescued him (Midrash Aggadah, Bereishit 49:21).

When Judah became angry [during the encounter with Joseph described in the portion of Vayigash], he told Naftali, "Go see how many markets there are in Egypt." Naphtali leaped forward, returned, and told him, "Twelve"... (Bereishit Rabbah 93:8).

He was a herald of good tidings. He brought the news Joseph is still alive (Genesis 45:26); and he hastened to Egypt and brought the deed of title for the Cave of Machpelah to prove that Esau had no share in it (Targum Yonatan, Bereishit 49:21).

Naphtali was buried in Kedesh Naftali (Eretz Yisrael), which was given to his sons as an inheritance (Sefer HaYashar, end of Yehoshua).

May the merit of the tzaddik Naphtali ben Yaacov Avinu protect us all, Amen.

Hilulah Day: Tishri-1 Sarah Imeinu (Sarah the Matriarch)

Inside the building of the Cave of the Patriarchs, looking into the Sarah Imeinu room (Sarah is the Matriarch of the Jewish people, the wife of Abraham).

Inside the building of the Cave of the Patriarchs, a closer view of the Sarah Imeinu room (Sarah is the Matriarch of the Jewish people, the wife of Abraham).

Sarah Imeinu (Sarah the Matriarch)

Born: 1813 BCE

Died: 1686 BCE

Only four women are called Matriarchs: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah (Berachot 16b).At first she was a princess to her people, then she became a princess to the whole world (Berachot 13a).

Avraham and Sarah were proselytes (Bamidbar Rabbah 8:9).All the proselytes and the G-d-fearing people in the world descended from those who suckled Sarah's milk (Pesikta Rabbati 42:23).

The letter yud of Sarai which was removed from her name stood and cried for many years until Yehoshua ben Nun came and G-d added it to his name (Sanhedrin 107a).

The letter yud flew before the throne of the Holy One, Blessed is He, and said, "Master of the Universe, have You taken me out of the name of the righteous Sarah because I am the smallest of the letters?"

The Holy One, blessed is He, replied, "In the past you were at the end of a woman's name, now I shall place you at the beginning of a man's name: Yehoshua" (Bereishit Rabbah 47:1).

The yud whose numerical value is ten that the Holy One, Blessed is He, took from the name of the Matriarch Sarah was divided. Half (i.e., one whose value is five), was given to Sarah when her name was changed, and half the other to Abraham when his name was changed.


(Yerushalmi Sanhedrin 2:6).All Sarah's years passed in gladness and joy (Lekach Tov, Bereishit 23:1).Thirty-seven years, from the day Yitzchak (Isaac) was born until the moment he was bound on the altar, were years of "life" for Sarah. (Genesis 23:1) (Zohar 1:123a).

Avimelech cursed Sarah, and the curse was fulfilled in her descendant. It is written, "Let it be for you and eye-covering" (Genesis 20:16). He said to her, "Since you covered the fact that Avraham was your husband and thereby you caused me all this grief, may you have sons whose eyes are covered." This was fulfilled in her son, as it is written, When Yitzchak become old, his eyesight dimmed (ibid. 27:1) (Bava Kamma 93a).

Avimelech gave her a royal garment and made her a noblewoman, so that no man would ever approach her. All would hear that she was a queen and would fear her (Tanchuma, ed. Buber, Vayeira 27).Avram said, "See, now I know that you are a woman of beautiful appearance" (Genesis 12:11).

From here you learn that until then he had not known of his wife's beauty, as is common for other husbands (Eitz Yosef) (Tanchuma Lech Lecha 5).

Her RighteousnessWho are the seven prophetesses? Sarah, Miriam, Devorah, Channah, Avigail, Chuldah, and Esther (Megillah 14a).Iscah (Genesis 11:29) is Sarah. Why then was she called Iscah (from the word, gaze)?

Because she could see things through Divine Inspiration (Megillah 14a).We do not find that the Omnipresent spoke directly with any woman except for Sarah (Yerushalmi Sotah 7:1).The Holy One, Blessed is He, spoke to all other righteous women through an angel, but to Sarah He spoke through Divine communication (Lekach Tov, Bereishit 23:1).

At the age of one hundred, she was like a twenty-year-old (i.e., without any sins deserving of heavenly punishment, for at the age of twenty, one-first becomes subject to heavenly punishment) (Bereishit Rabbah 58:1).

The hymn Eishet Chayil, "An Accomplished Woman" (Proverbs 31), was said about the Matriarch Sarah, from aleph to tav (Shocher Tov 112:1).The Matriarch Sarah was exceedingly modest (Bava Metzia 87a).The Patriarch Avraham confounded the views of people and brought them under the wings of the Divine Presence (i.e., he converted them).

Sarah did the same (Avos d'Rabbi Natan 12:8).Avraham and Sarah prepared a place of immersion for all, he for men and she for women (Zohar 1:102b).

May the merit of the tzaddeket Sarah Imeinu protect us all, Amen.

Hilulah Day: Elul-26 Rabbi Chaim Pinto

Hilulah Day: Elul-26 Rabbi Chaim Pinto

Rabbi Chaim Pinto

Born: Mogador, Morocco, ?

Died: Mogador, Morocco, 1845

Chief rabbi of the Jewish community of Mogador, Kabbalist.

A man of wonders and miracles during his lifetime, and for those who visit his grave site.

The Magic Wine Cup


In the days before Passover, a stranger was seen wandering through the streets of Mogador in the land of Morocco. Even though he was dressed in rags, he did not look like a beggar, and from the fringes on the garment he was wearing it was clear that he was a Jew.

Some of Rabbi Chaim Pinto's students wondered about this man when they saw him in the city market. And when they returned to the yeshivah, they told the rabbi about him. Rabbi Pinto had them describe the man in great detail. Then he asked them if the man had looked happy or sad. They told the rabbi that he had looked terribly sad. Indeed, just looking at his face made them sad as well.

Now, Passover is a time to remember the poor, and it was Rabbi Pinto's custom to invite the poor Jews of the city to his seder. So on the eve of Passover he sent his students into the city to bring back all the poor Jews they could find. He told them to search especially for the stranger they had told him about and to be sure that he came back with them.

So the rabbi's students searched every corner of the city for the poor, who were delighted to learn that they would have a place to celebrate the first night of Passover. But when the students finally found the stranger, he was sitting alone under a barren tree, and he refused to accompany them to the rabbi's seder. "For you it is the holiday of Passover," he said, "but for me it is a time of mourning." The students did their best to persuade him, but in the end they returned empty-handed.

Now, when they told Rabbi Pinto that the man had refused their invitation, the rabbi said, "If you can't convince him to come here, whisper this word in his ear" and he whispered it to each of his students. So the students returned to the stranger, still sitting under the tree, and they tried once more to invite him to join the rabbi's seder. Again he refused, but this time one of the students whispered the rabbi's word into the man's ear. And as soon as he heard it, the man's eyes opened wide. He stood up and agreed to accompany them at once.

When that Jew arrived at the rabbi's house, he was greeted warmly by Rabbi Pinto. The man returned the rabbi's greetings, and then he asked, "How is it, Rabbi, that you knew the name of the ship that brought about my misfortune?"

"Join our seder," Rabbi Pinto replied, "and you will understand how it became known to me. For now, please make yourself at home. I will have a bath prepared for you, and my students will give you fresh clothing."

The man thanked the rabbi, but he was still curious about how he had known his secret.
That night, when everyone was seated at the seder, Rabbi Pinto introduced the guest and asked him to tell the others his story. This he did. "I was born in the city of Marrakesh," he said, "and I traveled to Spain and worked there until I had become quite wealthy. After several years, I began to miss my native land of Morocco, and thought about returning there to raise a family. With all that I had saved, I bought precious jewels.

"There was a widow whom I befriended. When she learned I was planning to return to Morocco, where her daughter lives, she asked me to bring her daughter her rightful inheritance, jewels that had belonged to her father. I agreed to do so, and I carried everything in a wooden case. But when a storm sank the ship in which I was traveling, the case was lost at sea. Somehow I managed to grab a plank and reached the shores of this city a few weeks ago. I know that I am fortunate to be alive, but after all these years, I have nothing. Even so, that is not what grieves me the most. Above all, I am heartbroken that I cannot fulfill my mission for the widow."

Now, when all those seated at the seder heard this story, their hearts went out to the poor man who had suffered such a misfortune. Among them, there was one beautiful young woman who had tears flowing down her face. And when the man saw her grief, he, too, broke down and wept.

Rabbi Pinto said, "Do not grieve as we celebrate the seder, but watch closely." He pointed to the Kiddush cup, which was filled with wine, and pronounced a spell over it. That spell called forth Rahab, the Angel of the Sea.

Just then everyone at the table heard a deep voice say, "Yes, Rabbi Pinto, what is your command?" They trembled with fear, for they could not see where the voice was coming from. Then the rabbi said, "I call upon you, Rahab, Prince of the Sea, for help in finding what has been lost." Suddenly, to everyone's amazement, the Kiddush cup began to grow larger and larger, and the wine in it was transformed into the waves of the sea. One after another the waves rose and fell and eventually they cast up a small wooden case, which floated on the surface. The guest could hardly contain himself. "Master, that is my case!" he cried.

"Take it out!" said Rabbi Pinto. So the man reached into the enormous cup, took out the wooden case and set it on the table. At that instant the cup returned to its original size, and the waters in it became wine once more.

As everyone watched in awe, the man opened the case and saw that nothing was missing. He shed tears of joy. Then Rabbi Pinto said to him, "Now, let me introduce you to the widow's daughter to whom you were delivering the jewels." At that, the young woman who had wept at hearing the man's tale stood up with a radiant smile and the man almost fainted with surprise. When he had regained his composure, he picked up the wooden case and placed it in her hands, much to the delight of everyone present. Then Rabbi Pinto smiled and said, "Know that nothing happens by accident. All is foretold by the Holy One, blessed be He, as is your meeting here today, for now I can tell you that I heard a heavenly voice announce that you two are destined to wed."

So it was that everyone celebrated that seder with great happiness, and not long after, the couple was wed. From then on, every Passover, when they filled the Kiddush cup, they told the story of Rabbi Pinto and the magic wine cup that had changed their lives.

May the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi Chaim Pinto protect us all, Amen.

A Special Siddur for Brazil ´s Jews of the Amazon

A Special Siddur for Brazil ´s Jews of the Amazon ( Nusach Sefaradi )



Sephardic Jews residing in Brazil 's Amazon region have reason to celebrate with the publication of the first Sabbath Siddur (prayer-book) which incorporates their unique liturgy and customs.

The Siddur will benefit other Portuguese-speaking Sephardic Jewish communities as well.

The Siddur, called "Ner Shabbat", was prepared and edited by Rabbi Moyses Elmescany and Chazan (Cantor) David Salgado, and includes the traditional Hebrew text of the Sabbath prayer services, together with both a transliteration and translation into Portuguese.

It was published with the support and assistance of Shavei Israel, a Jerusalem-based group that assists small Jewish communities, as well as "lost Jews" seeking to return to the Jewish people.

"This Siddur is really the first of its kind," said Salgado, who recently made aliyah from northern Brazil together with his wife and children. "It will enable Portuguese-speaking Jews who use Nusach Sepharadi (the Sephardic rite) to better recite and understand the meaning and significance of the Sabbath prayers.

" Salgado noted that the Siddur reflects the texts and customs used by Moroccan Jewish communities, but with a special twist.

"This Nusach is the one that was brought to Brazil 's Amazon region by the first Moroccan Jewish immigrants, who arrived there nearly two centuries ago," he said. "And until today, Brazil 's Jews of the Amazon are still using the same rite and following the same customs as they were practiced in Morocco in the 19th century."

"We were happy to partner with Rabbi Elmescany and Chazan Salgado to facilitate the publication of this Siddur," said Shavei Israel Chairman Michael Freund, adding, "We hope that it will help to preserve the unique Jewish practices and rituals of Brazil 's Amazon area, as well as strengthen Portuguese-speaking Jewish communities worldwide."


In its initial run, the Siddur was published primarily for the use of the Jewish communities of Belem and Manaus in Brazil , which are home to 450 families and 220 families respectively. But the Jewish community of Lisbon , Portugal , recently ordered 100 copies of the Siddur for use in their congregation, and both Freund and Salgado say they hope that other Portuguese-speaking Sephardic communities will benefit from it as well.

Kabbalah Book, Djerba 1948, Only Edition

Midrash Shlomo

Kabbalah book with parts in Judeo Arabic. Written by Rabbi Khalifa Cohen. 670 leaves. Third part. Printed in the island of Djerba 1948. Excellent condition. Only edition – never reprinted.

R. Khaddir Sebban Hara Kebira Djerba (Tunisie)

Prayers and Kinot, LIBYA Jewry, 1919 Book

ALON BACHUT HADASH

Laws, prayers, Kinot for Nine of Av and more. Edited by Rabbi Chaim Cohen from Tripoli, Libya. According the customs of Libyan Jews. First and rare edition. Printed in Livorno, Italy in 1919. 148 leaves. Complete and intact, but with wormholes. Only edition.

Hilulah Day: Elul-24 Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen Kagan - The Chafetz Chaim

A rare photo of the Chofetz Chaim A"H

Hilulah Day: Elul-24

Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaKohen Kagan - The Chafetz Chaim

Born: Zhetel, Lithuania, 1839

Died: Radin, Lithuania, 1933

Halachist, Torah leader of his generation. Affectionately known as the Chafetz Chaim, the title of one of his books.

As a 9-year-old boy, he entered the great yeshivah in Vilna, where he soon gained a reputation as a genius. He grew not only in wisdom but also in piety. As he matured into manhood, his unselfish devotion to others and uncompromising honesty set an example for his generation and all generations that were to follow. After marrying at 17 years of age, he continued his Torah studies, in spite of extreme poverty, spending every waking moment engrossed in the holy books. The Chafetz Chaim who refused to accept a post as rabbi, opened a general store. His wife, insisting that he continue his Torah studies, managed the store. The Chafetz Chaim supervised the absolute accuracy of the weights and measures, the quality of the merchandise, and the fairness of the prices, to make certain that no one was deceived or overcharged in any way.

In 1869 he founded the Yeshivah of Radin, which attracted students from all over Europe. His book Chafetz Chaim, made a profound impact on Torah-observant Jewry. It is a compilation of the laws concerning leshon hara-spreading gossip and slander, a grave offense that is often ignored. The title Chafetz Chaim is based on the verse, "Who is the man who desires life, who loves many days that he may see good? Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit" (Psalm 34:13) (chafetz chaim tanslates as "desires life"). Thanks to the Chafetz Chaim's writings, a growing awarness has emerged of the harmful effects and the seriousness of leshon hara.
A major achievement was his work Mishnah Berurah, a comprehensive commentary on the Orach Chaim section of the Shulcan Aruch, which deals with the general laws of daily conduct, such as prayers, tefillin, blessings, Shabbat, and Festivals. Mishnah Berurah explains these laws and their application in present-day situations. It consists of 6 volumes and took 25 years to complete. Since its publication, Mishnah Berurah has enjoyed extraordinary popularity. It is a part of virtually every Jewish home library, its pages consulted daily by scholars, students, and laymen alike.

The emigration to America made him fearful for the well-being of Judaism in places where Jewish settlements were not well organized. He recognized the trials of the new immigrants and to fill their needs he wrote Nidchei Yisrael, (Dispersed of Israel), replete with detailed laws specifically related to the new life of the émigrés and heartfelt words of inspiration and encouragement to strengthen them in overcoming obstacles and preserving their Judaism. And his caring eye observed the young conscripts forced to live far from any semblance of Jewish life and desperately in need of special guidance. For them he composed Machne Yisrael, (The Camp of Israel).

His book Machaneh Yisrael offers advice to Jewish soldiers on how to observe Jewish traditions in the army, as well as special prayeres to be said before going into battle.

The Chofetz Chaim was a true leader of his people, caring for their needs, bearing the burden of each one of them.


May the merit of the tzaddik The Chafetz Chaim protect us all, Amen.

Hilulah Day: Elul-18 Rabbi Yehudah Loew of Prague - The Maharal

Rabbi Yehudah Loew of Prague - The Maharal

Born: Posen, Poland, 1512

Died: Prague, Bohemia, 1609

Talmudist, Kabbalist, chief rabbi of Prague

Popularly known as the Maharal, the abbreviation of Moreinu Harav Loew.

The Maharal was born on the night of the Passover Seder, to a distinguished family of rabbis that traced its ancestry to King David. He was the youngest of four righteous brothers. The Maharal married at the "late" age of 32 to Pearl. He had six girls and one boy who was named after the Maharal's father, Beztalel.

In 1553 he was elected rabbi of Nikolsburg and the Province of Moravia, where he remained for the following 20 years. In 1573 he moved to Prague, where he opened a yeshivah and became mentor of many outstanding disciples. The most prominent among these is Rabbi Lipman Heller, author of Tosefot Yomtov on the Mishnah. In 1592 the Maharal accepted the position of rabbi in Posen, returning to Prague in 1598 to serve as its chief rabbi.
He was a prolific writer, and his works include: Tiferet Yisrael on the greatness of Torah and mitzvot; Netivot Olam, on ethics; Be'er Hagolah, a commentary on rabbinic sayings; Netzach Yisrael, on exile and redemption; Or Chadash, on the book of Esther; Ner Mitzvah, on Chanukah; Gevurot Hashem, on the Exodus; and many others. The Maharal's works reveal his illustrious personality as a profound thinker who penetrates the mysteries of Creation and metaphysics, clothing kabbalistic themes in a philosophic garment. His unique approach to Jewish thought influenced the ideologies of Chassidism and Mussar.

The Maharal castigated the educational methods of his day where boys were taught at a very young age and insisted that children must be taught in accordance with their intellectual maturity. Thus, Talmud and certainly not tosafot should be introduced only when the child is developmentally capable of fully comprehending what is being taught. He recommended that the system proposed in Pirkei Avot be followed.The Maharal was a staunch leader of his community, he became the hero of many legends in which he appears as the defender of Prague Jewry against all its enemies, assisted by a Golem, a robot he made and gave life to by placing sacred writings in his mouth.

The Maharal's company and advice was sought by kings and nobleman giving rise to many colorful legends.

The Maharal's synagogue, Altneu Schul, still exists today and is preserved as a shrine by the Prague municipal authorities, who in 1917 erected a statue in his honor. In the Torah world the Maharal lives on in his writings, which are an enduring source of wisdom and inspiration.

May the merit of the tzaddik Rabbi Yehudah Loew - The Maharal of Prague protect us all, Amen.

Silver Torah Finials Rimonim Bells North Africa, C1920

Silver Torah Finials Rimonim Bells North Africa, C1920

Antique silver (NOT silver plated) Torah finials / Rimonim / bells, North Africa, Ca 1920, Judaica. Beautifully chased with two lions flanking a Decalogue, sided by a Star of David (Magen David), inscribed in Hebrew "Zion" in the center. Each finial is topped by a Star of David (Magen David) finial and set with various hanging bells (some are missing). An attractive piece which is an absolute must for any serious collector. A superb Judaica item. Highly sought after by collectors.

Measurements :Length: 26.5cm. / 10.433in.
1 inch = 2.54cm

Rosh Hashanah Livorno 1887 Alexandria Seller Stamp Ladino

Rosh Hashanah Livorno 1887 Alexandria Seller Stamp Ladino


Machzor for new year festival
According Spanish living
in Costantinople Turkey and Italy.
Some ladino preface and instructions.

Printed in Livorno Italy Leghorn in 1887.
By Belforte.
With stamp of book seller from Alexandria Egypt-M. Bossabi

Ancient hard book.
Spine book little wear.
Clean text.
114 leaves, size: 5"-8"

Rosh Hashanah Livorno 1930 New Year Pray Ladino

Rosh Hashanah Livorno 1930 New Year Pray Ladino

Machzor for new year festival
According Spanish living
In Costantinople Turkey and Italy.
Some ladino preface and instructions.

Printed in Livorno Italy Leghorn in 1930.
By Belforte.


Hard cover
some wear on cover mended by tape.
good to fair shape.
Clean text.
114 leaves, size: 5"-8"