Rabbi Yosef Karo
From Zissil
Warning: You are not logged in.
Your IP address will be recorded in this page's edit history.The edit can be undone.
Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then save the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
| Latest revision | Your text | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | [[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.) | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | Rabbi Yosef Karo was born in Toledo, Spain. After fleeing the Spanish and Portuguese explosions his family settled in Constantinople. Rabbi Yosef Karo became a renown Torah scholar, serving as a Rav in Adrianople and then Nikopolis. At age 48 he moved to [[Safed|Tzfat]], becoming its chief Rabbi after his mentor Rabbi Yackov Beirav left the city. Rabbi Yosef Karo created very important Halachic books including the '[[Bais Yosef]]' an encyclopedic commentary on the Tur, 'Kesef Mishna' on the Rambam and the [[Shulchan Aruch]] that became the official Code of Jewish Law. Not especially known as a Kabbalist, Rabbi Yosef Caro wad quite knowledgeable in Kabbalah and was frequently visited by an angelic Maggid who would reveal mysteries of the Torah. | |
== Early Life == | == Early Life == | ||
| Line 39: | Line 22: | ||
=== 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 == | ||
| Line 46: | Line 29: | ||
=== 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]]''' | ||
| Line 54: | Line 37: | ||
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 === | ||
| Line 65: | Line 48: | ||
=== 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 === | ||
| Line 83: | Line 66: | ||
=== 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 === | ||
| Line 89: | Line 72: | ||
== 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 === | ||
| Line 104: | Line 87: | ||
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. | ||
| Line 110: | Line 93: | ||
=== Children === | === Children === | ||
| − | + | Shlomo was born in Tzfat, 1554 to the second wife of Rabbi Yosef Karo. He eventually married the daughter of the Arizal. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | 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. | ||
| Line 124: | Line 105: | ||
=== 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. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
=== The Rama === | === The Rama === | ||
| Line 148: | Line 127: | ||
=== 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]]''' | ||
| Line 179: | Line 158: | ||
== 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 === | ||
| Line 192: | Line 171: | ||
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. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[Category:Tzadikim]] | [[Category:Tzadikim]] | ||
| Line 214: | Line 176: | ||
[[Category:16th Century Rabbis]] | [[Category:16th Century Rabbis]] | ||
[[Category:Safed]] | [[Category:Safed]] | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | 18th-Century-Rabbis | ||