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.

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.