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The Birth of the Ba‘al Shem Tov
One of the greatest phenomena, running like a thread throughout the spiritual history of the Jewish people, is mysticism, a remnant of ancient mythology, which could…
Abraham Menaḥem Kohen Porto to the prince and magnate, chieftain and nobleman, our teacher R. Menaḥem Azariah de Fano—may his Rock and Redeemer preserve him—greetings to his glorious excellency!
Beh…
Rabbi Yose said: I was once traveling on a road, and I entered one of the ruins of Jerusalem to pray. Elijah [the prophet], who is remembered for good, came and waited for me at the entrance [of the…
“Moses received the Torah from Sinai” [m. Avot 1:1]:
R. [Ovadiah] from Bartenura has explained this to mean “from the One revealed at Sinai.” And there, when God revealed Himself at Sinai, Moses…
Since the last saying has made it necessary to speak of things, which pertain to the eternal mysteries, namely the ways of kabbalah, I will not hide from the reader what is at the tip of my…
We the undersigned have taken it upon ourselves to be in one society, to serve the Lord, may He be blessed, and to busy ourselves with His Torah day and night, in accordance with that which our…
Abraham Farissol, son of the late Mordechai (may he rest in Eden!) of Avignon, dwelling in Ferrara, declares: In response to the request of some distinguished individuals, I have agreed…
I stayed a long time in Hanau because of the heavy burden laid upon me from teaching youth. Although this is a labor performed for the sake of Heaven, it is nonetheless the case that whoever pleases…
For twenty-two years I have been one of the parnasim [board members] and leaders of this magnificent congregation, the city of Lwów; my heart has moved me to do good work in memory of the generations…
Avot 5:6: Ten things were created on the eve of the Sabbath at twilight: The mouth of the earth, the mouth of the well, the mouth of [Balaam’s] ass, the rainbow, the manna, the rod, the shamir-worm…