Raphael Berdugo
Encyclopedia
Raphael Berdugo is a son of Rabbi Mordecai Berdugo, was a dayan, a scholar, and one of the greatest rabbi
s of Morocco
.
Raphael was respected by his contemporaries, and his decisions continue to be a source of inspiration to Moroccan rabbis. He was an excellent speaker with a great natural authority, and did not shirk from conflict with the notables, pointing out for example their inconsideration for yeshiva students. He did limit himself to his role as dayan (judge), but was a community activist. He made the shohatim abandon their old customs and follow the Castilian customs. He also introduced reforms in the laws of inheritance
, for example the inheritance of a husband and children in case of the death of a wife.
Raphael Berdugo had a number of adversaries. One of them was Rabbi Baruch Toledano. Their controversies were quite heated and have remained famous.
Listed as a saint in Culte des Saints et Pélerinages Judéo-Musulmans au Maroc. It is noted that upon his death, his remains did not decompose but remained intact until their transfer to Meknes
years after his death.
Rabbi Raphael married a daughter of the Mashbir and had four sons.
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
s of Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
.
Raphael was respected by his contemporaries, and his decisions continue to be a source of inspiration to Moroccan rabbis. He was an excellent speaker with a great natural authority, and did not shirk from conflict with the notables, pointing out for example their inconsideration for yeshiva students. He did limit himself to his role as dayan (judge), but was a community activist. He made the shohatim abandon their old customs and follow the Castilian customs. He also introduced reforms in the laws of inheritance
Inheritance
Inheritance is the practice of passing on property, titles, debts, rights and obligations upon the death of an individual. It has long played an important role in human societies...
, for example the inheritance of a husband and children in case of the death of a wife.
Raphael Berdugo had a number of adversaries. One of them was Rabbi Baruch Toledano. Their controversies were quite heated and have remained famous.
Listed as a saint in Culte des Saints et Pélerinages Judéo-Musulmans au Maroc. It is noted that upon his death, his remains did not decompose but remained intact until their transfer to Meknes
Meknes
Meknes is a city in northern Morocco, located from the capital Rabat and from Fes. It is served by the A2 expressway between those two cities and by the corresponding railway. Meknes was the capital of Morocco under the reign of Moulay Ismail , before it was relocated to Marrakech. The...
years after his death.
Rabbi Raphael married a daughter of the Mashbir and had four sons.
Publications
List of publications by Raphael Berdugo, some unpublished, and some published by Rabbi Chalom Messas:- Torot Emet
- Me Menouhot
- Rav Peninim
- Messamehe Lev