Rabbi Yosef Karo
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| − | + | [[File:00000103 kever bais yosef side.jpg|thumb|180px|right|Kever of Rabbi Yosef Karo in the ancient cemetery of Tzfat.]]('''Hebrew:''' מרן רבי יוסף קארו / '''Life:''' Toledo Spain, 1488 – Safed Israel, 1575 / '''Spelling:''' Josef, Joseph, Caro, Qaro, Koro / '''Other names:''' Rebbe Yosef ben Ephraim, The Michaber, HaMechaber, Maran, the Bais Yosef, the Beit Yosef / '''Definition:''' 16th century Jewish Rabbi, Author of the Shulchan Aruch.) | |
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== Early Life == | == Early Life == | ||
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=== Constantinople === | === Constantinople === | ||
| − | + | Yosef's Uncle, Rabbi Yitzchock Caro had reached Constantinople after fleeing Portugal. His entire family had perished due to the suffering on route. Seeing the struggles of his nephew, Rabbi Yitzchok Caro invited Yosef to Constantinople, supporting him financially as he studied. For nineteen years Rabbi Yosef Caro studied Torah in Constantinople while living in worldly seclusion, purifying himself through many fasts and Segufim. During this time he started compiling notes on the Rambam's 'Yad Hachazaka'. These notes later served as the basis for his sefer the 'Bais Yosef'. Despite Constantinople's many Torah scholars, Rabbi Yosef Caro became renown as an extraordinary genius. People started sending him Halacha questions and it was here that he first gained the title 'Moran', an Aramaic term for 'our master'. | |
=== Adrianople === | === Adrianople === | ||
| − | + | At age 30, Rabbi Yosef Caro married his first wife and moved to Adrianople, Turkey to live by his wealth father-in-law Rabbi Chayim Albalag. This marriage did not last long since his wife got sick and passed away. Rabbi Shmuel Saba, a friend of Rabbi Yosef Karo set him up with his sister and he got remarried. In Adrianople, he started composing the 'Bais Yosef', a commentary on the Tur. During his stay in the city, Rabbi Yosef Karo served as head of the local Yeshiva. | |
=== Nikopolis === | === Nikopolis === | ||
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=== Salonica and Constantinople === | === Salonica and Constantinople === | ||
| − | + | Due to the lack of reference texts needed to write his book, Rabbi Yosef Caro left Nikopolis in 1533 and travel to libraries in Salonica and Constantinople to gather needed information. During these travels he met the Kabbalist Rebbe Shlomo Alkabetz who influenced him through his Kabalsitic knowledge. Another important meeting that occurred was with Rabbi Shlomo Malcho, a fiery mystic and former Morano scribe in the royal court of Portugal. Rabbi Yosef Caro was very impressed by Rabbi Shlomo Malco and later mentioned him in his writings. | |
== Eretz Yisroel == | == Eretz Yisroel == | ||
| − | During the first night of Shavuot 1533, as Rabbi Yosef Karo studied Mishnah along with Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, his Maggid revealed himself to them, urging them to immigrate to Eretz Yisroel. In 1536 Rabbi Yosef Karo decided to make the move, first traveling to Adrianople and Nikopolis biding farewell to his former communities. After a trip by sea via Egypt that lasted almost a year, Rabbi Yosef Karo arrived at the city of [[Safed]] during the month of Elul | + | During the first night of Shavuot 1533, as Rabbi Yosef Karo studied Mishnah along with Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, his Maggid revealed himself to them, urging them to immigrate to Eretz Yisroel. In 1536 Rabbi Yosef Karo decided to make the move, first traveling to Adrianople and Nikopolis biding farewell to his former communities. After a trip by sea via Egypt that lasted almost a year, Rabbi Yosef Karo arrived at the city of [[Safed]] during the month of Elul. |
=== Tzfat === | === Tzfat === | ||
| − | + | Tzfat was the largest Jewish settlement in Israel at the time, having absorbed many refugees from the Spanish Expulsion, including some leading rabbis. Tzfat's vicinity to the grave of Rebbe Shimon bar Yochi and other spiritual landmarks made it a prime choice for the many Kabalists that settled there. Its central location along trading routes to Egypt, Damascus and Turkey, helped its inhabitants build up a strong economy based on livestock and agriculture. Social welfare and political protection from Dun Yosef Nasi, created a situation where many of Safed's inhabitants could dedicate the majority of their time to Torah study. | |
[[File:more.jpg|link=]] '''Read full Zissil article on the [[Ottoman Rule of Safed 1517 to 1759|Golden Era of Safed]]''' | [[File:more.jpg|link=]] '''Read full Zissil article on the [[Ottoman Rule of Safed 1517 to 1759|Golden Era of Safed]]''' | ||
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Shortly afterwords, Rebbe Yosef Caro established a Yeshivah that attracted students from across the world. Since Tzfat did not lack rare manuscripts and reference texts, Rabbi Yosef Caro along with help from Rabbi Yackov Birav, was able to finish composition of the 'Bais Yosef'. | Shortly afterwords, Rebbe Yosef Caro established a Yeshivah that attracted students from across the world. Since Tzfat did not lack rare manuscripts and reference texts, Rabbi Yosef Caro along with help from Rabbi Yackov Birav, was able to finish composition of the 'Bais Yosef'. | ||
| − | + | In 1554, Rabbi Yosef Karo had his firstborn son Shlomo, his second wife passing away shortly afterwords. In 1558 the first printing of the 'Bais Yosef' took place in Venice, giving Rabbi Yosef Caro international fame as a Halacha authority. When Rabbi Yackov Birav left Safed after his failed Smicha attempt, Rabbi Yosef Karo was appointed head of the local Bais Din along with Rabbi Moshe of Trani. At the time, the Tzfat Bais Din was the leading Rabbinical Court in Eretz Yisroel and most of Diaspora. Many questions of national and global importance came thorough the Bais Din and Rabbi Yosef Karo's decisions were respected worldwide. In 1565 he married his third wife, the daughter of Rabbi Zicharya Ashkinazi and his second son Yehuda was born. | |
=== Smicha === | === Smicha === | ||
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=== Biriya === | === Biriya === | ||
| − | In 1566, Rabbi Yosef Caro moved to the nearby settlement of | + | In 1566, Rabbi Yosef Caro moved to the nearby settlement of Biriya to avoid constant interruptions to his writing. During his stay in Biriya he started printing his master piece, the 'Shulchan Aruch' in the printing press of R' Avraham Ashkinazi. In recent times a Yeshiva was opened in Birya named after the Bais Yosef. |
=== Back to Tzfat === | === Back to Tzfat === | ||
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=== Passing Away === | === Passing Away === | ||
| − | Rabbi Yosef Caro passed away in 1575 on a Thursday, the 13th day of Nisson at the age of 87. He was buried in the ancient cemetery of Safed | + | Rabbi Yosef Caro passed away in 1575 on a Thursday, the 13th day of Nisson at the age of 87. He was buried in the ancient cemetery of Safed. |
== Kabbalah == | == Kabbalah == | ||
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Many Kabbalists led communications with Magidim and other spiritual beings. Rabbi Yosef Caro is often used as a prime example of such a relationship. A Magid, created by the spiritual energy of his Mishna study would come to him and reveal mysteries of the Torah. Some of these revelations were later recorded in the book 'Maggid Mesharim'. Often the Maggid would rebuke Rabbi Yosef Karo for his laxity in Avodas Hashem that was expected at his level. Occasionally he would reveal future events, although not all of them came into fruition. These prophecies included a description of Rabbi Caro's reward in Gan Edan, his immigration to Eretz Yisroel, publication of his books, his fame spreading throughout the world, having a son who would become a great Torah scholar and meriting to die on Kidush Hashem like Shlomo Malcho. | Many Kabbalists led communications with Magidim and other spiritual beings. Rabbi Yosef Caro is often used as a prime example of such a relationship. A Magid, created by the spiritual energy of his Mishna study would come to him and reveal mysteries of the Torah. Some of these revelations were later recorded in the book 'Maggid Mesharim'. Often the Maggid would rebuke Rabbi Yosef Karo for his laxity in Avodas Hashem that was expected at his level. Occasionally he would reveal future events, although not all of them came into fruition. These prophecies included a description of Rabbi Caro's reward in Gan Edan, his immigration to Eretz Yisroel, publication of his books, his fame spreading throughout the world, having a son who would become a great Torah scholar and meriting to die on Kidush Hashem like Shlomo Malcho. | ||
| − | A few people witnessed these Maggidic revelations. According to their reports, Rabbi Yosef Caro would start reciting Mishnah by heart and suddenly a voice would sound | + | A few people witnessed these Maggidic revelations. According to their reports, Rabbi Yosef Caro would start reciting Mishnah by heart and suddenly a voice would sound saying "Peace to you Rebbe Yosef Caro, I am the Mishna you studied". Often the Maggid would reveal his teachings in Aramic. |
=== Association with the Ari === | === Association with the Ari === | ||
| − | Rabbi Yosef Karo asked the | + | Rabbi Yosef Karo asked the Ari to teach him Kabblah and he refused, informing him that his main task in this world was to study the revealed Torah. As proof, the Ari noted that each time he started revealing mysteries in the presents of Rabbi Yosef Karo, the later would start falling asleep. Rabbi Yosef Karo's son married the Arizal's daughter. A number of times the Ari revealed personal information to him via Rouch Hakodesh. |
=== Hakafot by the Rashbi === | === Hakafot by the Rashbi === | ||
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== Family == | == Family == | ||
| − | Rebbe Yosef descended from the respected Karo family. He got married three times, and had two | + | Rebbe Yosef descended from the respected Karo family. He got married three times, and had a total of two children, one who married the daughter of the Arizal. |
=== The Karos === | === The Karos === | ||
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Rabbi Yosef Karo's first wife was the daughter of Rabbi Chayim Albalag, a wealthy Torah scholar from Adrianople, Turkey. She got sick shortly after the marriage and passed away, without having children. | Rabbi Yosef Karo's first wife was the daughter of Rabbi Chayim Albalag, a wealthy Torah scholar from Adrianople, Turkey. She got sick shortly after the marriage and passed away, without having children. | ||
| − | Rabbi Yosef Karo then married the daughter of Rabbi Yitzchok Saba, sister of his friend Rabbi Shmuel. Shlomo, his | + | Rabbi Yosef Karo then married the daughter of Rabbi Yitzchok Saba, sister of his friend Rabbi Shmuel. Shlomo, his firstborn son came from this marriage. Shortly after this birth his second wife passed away. |
In 1565, at age 77 Rabbi Yosef Caro married his third wife the daughter of Rabbi Zicharya ben Shlomo Zeblish Ashkinazi who bore his second child Yehuda. The Ashkanzi family were involved in the printing industry. | In 1565, at age 77 Rabbi Yosef Caro married his third wife the daughter of Rabbi Zicharya ben Shlomo Zeblish Ashkinazi who bore his second child Yehuda. The Ashkanzi family were involved in the printing industry. | ||
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=== Children === | === Children === | ||
| − | + | Shlomo was born in Tzfat, 1554 to the second wife of Rabbi Yosef Karo. He eventually married the daughter of the Arizal. | |
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| − | Shlomo was born in Tzfat, 1554 to the second wife of Rabbi Yosef Karo. | + | |
Yehuda was born in Tzfat to his third wife. He was three years old when his father passed away. Yehuda published Shalos Uteshuvos Beit Yosef when he grew up. | Yehuda was born in Tzfat to his third wife. He was three years old when his father passed away. Yehuda published Shalos Uteshuvos Beit Yosef when he grew up. | ||
== Students and Colleagues == | == Students and Colleagues == | ||
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=== Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz === | === Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz === | ||
Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz author of 'Lecha Dodi' first met Rabbi Yosef Karo during his travels, later they both relocated to Safed. He once took part in a communication session with the Maggid. | Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz author of 'Lecha Dodi' first met Rabbi Yosef Karo during his travels, later they both relocated to Safed. He once took part in a communication session with the Maggid. | ||
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=== Rebbe Shlomo Malcho === | === Rebbe Shlomo Malcho === | ||
Rebbe Shlomo Malcho grew up as a Marano in Portugal, at a young age becoming a scribe in the royal court. After meeting Dovid Reuvani, he circumcised himself and fled the country. Upon awakening from his circumcision, Rebbe Shlomo Malcho found the gates of Torah open to him and with little effort became very knowledgeable in the Wisdom of Kabbalah. Rabbi Yosef Karo met Rebbe Shlomo Malcho during his travels and was impressed by his Kabalistic knowledge and powers. Rebbe Shlomo Malcho eventually returned to Christian ruled countries and openly declared his beliefs. He was sentenced to death and was burnt at the stake on Kiddush Hashem. Rabbi Yosef Karo greatly envied his death and wished that he too would die for Hashem's glory. Despite numerous promises from his Magid that this would happen, it never came into being. | Rebbe Shlomo Malcho grew up as a Marano in Portugal, at a young age becoming a scribe in the royal court. After meeting Dovid Reuvani, he circumcised himself and fled the country. Upon awakening from his circumcision, Rebbe Shlomo Malcho found the gates of Torah open to him and with little effort became very knowledgeable in the Wisdom of Kabbalah. Rabbi Yosef Karo met Rebbe Shlomo Malcho during his travels and was impressed by his Kabalistic knowledge and powers. Rebbe Shlomo Malcho eventually returned to Christian ruled countries and openly declared his beliefs. He was sentenced to death and was burnt at the stake on Kiddush Hashem. Rabbi Yosef Karo greatly envied his death and wished that he too would die for Hashem's glory. Despite numerous promises from his Magid that this would happen, it never came into being. | ||
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=== The Rama === | === The Rama === | ||
Rabbi Moshe Isserles exchanged a number of Halachic correspondences with Rabbi Yosef Karo, indicating in some that the latter was greater in the laws of Issur and Heter. Rabbi Moshe Isserles was in-midst of creating on an appendix to the Tur sourcing all its laws called the 'Darchi Moshe', when Rabbi Yosef Karo unknowingly beat him to it by publishing the 'Beit Yosef'. Instead of abandoning his project or publishing a competing book, the Rama shortened his text and turned it into a commentary on the 'Beit Yosef' called the 'Darchi Moshe Hamikutzar'. After the publication of the 'Shulchan Aruch' the Rama created an addition to the work called the 'Mapa', covering the Ashkinazic ruling for each Halacha. Despite their big disagreements in Halacha, the two greatly respected each other. Once Rabbi Yosef Caro sent the Rama an ancient handwritten manuscript of 'Tikkun Sofrim' as a gift. | Rabbi Moshe Isserles exchanged a number of Halachic correspondences with Rabbi Yosef Karo, indicating in some that the latter was greater in the laws of Issur and Heter. Rabbi Moshe Isserles was in-midst of creating on an appendix to the Tur sourcing all its laws called the 'Darchi Moshe', when Rabbi Yosef Karo unknowingly beat him to it by publishing the 'Beit Yosef'. Instead of abandoning his project or publishing a competing book, the Rama shortened his text and turned it into a commentary on the 'Beit Yosef' called the 'Darchi Moshe Hamikutzar'. After the publication of the 'Shulchan Aruch' the Rama created an addition to the work called the 'Mapa', covering the Ashkinazic ruling for each Halacha. Despite their big disagreements in Halacha, the two greatly respected each other. Once Rabbi Yosef Caro sent the Rama an ancient handwritten manuscript of 'Tikkun Sofrim' as a gift. | ||
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=== The Arizal === | === The Arizal === | ||
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=== Other Associates === | === Other Associates === | ||
| − | Rabbi Yosef Karo had active | + | Rabbi Yosef Karo had active contections with the Ridabz - Rabbi Dovid ben Zimra, Rabbi Yosef ben Tzayich, Rabbi Yosef ben Lev and Rabbi Yosef Taitazak. |
=== Students === | === Students === | ||
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=== Shulchan Aruch === | === Shulchan Aruch === | ||
| − | After publishing the Bais Yosef, Rabbi Yosef Karo summarized all final Halachic rulings and created the Shulchan Aruch. Originally intended as a short Halachaic summery for monthly review, it lost focus once it gained popularity and many commentaries were added. Initially raising opposition, the Shulchan Aruch eventually became the official 'Code of Jewish Law', ending the many differences in the rulings of various Rabanim. Composed of four sections, the Shulchan Aruch deals with all basic aspects of Jewish life. In order to balance the Sefardi biased Halachic rulings, the Rama created an appendix to each law giving the Ashkanazi custom | + | After publishing the Bais Yosef, Rabbi Yosef Karo summarized all final Halachic rulings and created the Shulchan Aruch. Originally intended as a short Halachaic summery for monthly review, it lost focus once it gained popularity and many commentaries were added. Initially raising opposition, the Shulchan Aruch eventually became the official 'Code of Jewish Law', ending the many differences in the rulings of various Rabanim. Composed of four sections, the Shulchan Aruch deals with all basic aspects of Jewish life. In order to balance the Sefardi biased Halachic rulings, the Rama created an appendix to each law giving the Ashkanazi custom. |
[[File:more.jpg|link=]] '''Read full Zissil article on the [[Shulchan Aruch]]''' | [[File:more.jpg|link=]] '''Read full Zissil article on the [[Shulchan Aruch]]''' | ||
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== Kever Rebbe Yosef Karo == | == Kever Rebbe Yosef Karo == | ||
| − | Rabbi Yosef Caro is buried in the | + | Rabbi Yosef Caro is buried in the ancient cemetery of Safed, half way down between the kever of the Arizal and the new extension at the foot of the mountain. It is accessible through a staircase going down from the Ari, or through two staircases going up from Kever Rebbe Yehosua ben Chananya or the new part of the cemetery in coming from the bottom entrance and Kever Rebbe Pinchos ben Yair. Kever Rebbe Yosef Karo is separated in two, the men's section is in front by the actual Tzion and the women's section in-back behind a wall. The Tzion of Rebbe Yosef Karo includes a Ner Tomid and a small book shelf containing Sefarim. His Kever is visited by the many tourists and spiritual seekers who pass through the cemetery. |
=== Rebbe Yosef Caro Synagogue === | === Rebbe Yosef Caro Synagogue === | ||
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=== House of Rebbe Yosef Karo === | === House of Rebbe Yosef Karo === | ||
| − | The historical home of Rebbe Yosef Karo is in the vicinity of the Yosef Caro Synagogue. It is open at certain times to tourists | + | The historical home of Rebbe Yosef Karo is in the vicinity of the Yosef Caro Synagogue. It is open at certain times to tourists. |
=== Hillulah of Rabbi Yosef Caro === | === Hillulah of Rabbi Yosef Caro === | ||
Hillulah takes place on Yud Gimil Nisson, the day proceeding Erev Peasach. Its vicinity to Peasach lowers the amount of participants but many locals visit the Kever on the Yartzeit of Rabbi Yosef Caro. | Hillulah takes place on Yud Gimil Nisson, the day proceeding Erev Peasach. Its vicinity to Peasach lowers the amount of participants but many locals visit the Kever on the Yartzeit of Rabbi Yosef Caro. | ||
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