Joseph Saragossi
Joseph Saragossi | |
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Personal | |
Born | 1460 |
Died | 1507 |
Religion | Judaism |
Mamluk and Ottoman rule |
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Economy |
Philanthropy |
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Joseph Saragossi, (
Biography
Although Saragossi was born in 15th-century Spain, it is possible that his family did not originate in the Spanish town of
Saragossi became a rabbi and a leader of the Jewish people despite his quiet manner. His charismatic personality was used to foster the growth of peace and harmony within the community. He endeavored to show reconciliation and mutual respect towards Safed's Muslim and Arab inhabitants.
When Saragossi indicated his intention to leave Safed, the people of Safed persuaded him to remain, offering to pay him an annual retainer. The respect of the Arab community was demonstrated when their Muslim governor promised to provide 33 of the 50 ducats that was offered to Saragossi as an annual payment.[4][5] Combining Talmudic with kabbalistic knowledge, Saragossi created a movement interested in Kabbalistic Jewish study in Safed.[5] His kabbalistic teachings attracted the attention of David ibn Abu Zimra.[4]
In accordance with his wish, Saragossi was buried adjacent to the tomb of Judah bar Ilai, the site where he experienced a revelation of the prophet Elijah.[1] The object of a legend in which a salvation was wrought at his graveside involving the procurement of 500 pure white chickens, he was thereafter called the Tzaddik ha-Lavan (White Saint) or the Tzaddik ha-Tarnegolim (Cockrel Saint.)[1] A similar story is told of the tanna Abba Yosef haBanai.[6]
At the turn of the 19th-century, Saragossi's tomb at
Footnotes
- ^ a b c Vilnay 2003, p. 383
- ^ Fern Andrews 1976, p. 145
- ^ Adler, Schechter & Neuman 1956, p. 332. Although he has been called "the Sefardi", which indicates Spanish extraction, this may only be a generic term for the exiles of 1492.
- ^ a b c Joseph Saragossi Jewish Encyclopedia.
- ^ ISBN 9781605209470.
- ^ Tsefat - Tomb of the "White Tzaddik"
- ^ Pilgrimage, Jewish Encyclopedia.
References
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). "Saragossi, Joseph". The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls.
- Fern Andrews, Fannie (1976). The Holy Land under mandate. Hyperion Press. ISBN 978-0-88355-304-6.
- Adler, Cyrus; Schechter, Solomon; Neuman, Abraham Aaron (1956). The Jewish quarterly review. Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning.
- ISBN 978-0-7661-4128-5.