Old Cemetery of Salonika, Gravestone Inscriptions
17th and 18th Centuries
Neḥemiah Espera (d. 1726)
Here is a man who revered The Name with love
Whose name was known For his generous spirit
He gave to charity To failing souls
From his pocket and his wealth Until old age and hoary hair.
The sick of Israel He cured with generosity
With his body and strength, sublime healing.
Exalted God upon high Will place him on high,
In highest Garden of Eden In comfort and repose
He is the foremost physician, mighty as a mountain, Neḥemiah,
Espera, may he rest in peace, and may his repose be honorable;
On the 6th day of the month of Heshvan in the year 5487 to Creation
May his soul be bound up in the Bundle of Life.
Abraham Molkho (d. 1738)
See a man who is perfect in all; A prince and a leader, a scholar of Torah
A great wise man full in all, Old and fulfilled, with a crown
The name of Abraham went out before all The lands with acumen.
With his possessions he supported all, Charity to the scholar of Torah;
He was active in this city and in all The pure land of Israel;
He converted converts in all, Supplying what they lacked in proper order.
Old men and young, and all Who pass and return to the Almighty
God blessed him in all A good and honest character.
God blessed him in all A good and honest character.
He died with a good name and with all Safra, and Sifrei and Gemara.
He would receive guests and all Who pass through this city
He is the foremost rabbi, our master R. Abraham Molkho may his memory be for the life of the world to come. He was called to the heavenly yeshiva on the 26th of the month of Tishri, in the year 5499 may his soul be bound up in the Bundle of Life
Buena (d. 1741)
This fortunate woman A myrtle, so pure
With respect and honor Her name is at the gates;
In all of her deeds Comely and pleasant,
In giving to the poor In compassion and grace
God in His Garden of Eden Will dress her in lace;
Her soul will dwell in goodness, As well as her spirit and essence.
She is the woman whom God has proven [see Genesis 24:44]
Mistress Buena, widow of the magnate
Who was exalted as a mountain, Don Moshe ibn
Veniste. She passed away on the fourteenth
Of the consoling month of Av in the year 5501
Translated by
Jeffrey M.
Green
.
Credits
Isaac Samuel Emmanuel, Matsevot saloniki be-tseruf toldot ḥayehem shel gedole ha-kehilah (Precious Stones of the Jews of Salonica), vol. 2 (Jerusalem: Ben-Zvi Institute, 1968), pp. 573, 626–627, 649.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.
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