The Jewish Eye
Rav Shlomo Molcho H'yd - A Savior And A Martyr
Born in the year
1500 in Lisbon the capital of Portugal shortly after that country
adopted the Inquisition against the Jews, Rav Shlomo Molcho was raised
as a marrano
named Diego Perez, and even served in the King's court. Under the
circumstances he did not know much about Judaism, but became very
interested in his Jewish heritage when one of the more enigmatic
figures in Jewish history Dovid HaReuveni suddenly appeared in the
King's court. Dovid HaReuveni claimed to be the brother of the King of
the 10 lost tribes. He swept through Europe offering the Christian
powers his warrior peoples full cooperation in fighting the Muslims and
retaking control of Yerushalayim. His charisma enabled him to receive
audiences with the Pope and the ruling powers in Europe.
Diego
Perez wanted to join him but David* rejected his overtures fearing for
both their safety. He sent Diego who decided to return to Judaism to
Turkey. He ended up learning Kabbalah from one of the Gedolei HaDor
Rav Yitzchok Taitatzak in Salonica and became friendly with Rav Yosef
Karo the Michaber of the Shulchan Aruch, who referred to him in his
sefer Maggid Meisharim as "Shlomo my chosen one" and envied his death
as a martyr. Rav Shlomo authored two seforim on Kabbala called Sefer HaMefoar and Chayas Kaneh.
After
his time in Salonica and Tzfas, Rav Shlomo returned to Europe with
Messianic visions. He exhorted the Jews of Europe to return to
Tshuva. Many marranos
returned to religion through his impassioned speeches. He commanded
great respect all over Europe especially from the Pope after predicting
a great flood in Rome and an earthquake in Portugal which proved
accurate.
After being reported to the authorities as being a
Christian apostate rather than a Jew from the east, Rav Shlomo was
imprisoned by the inquisition. Through the intervention of the Pope he
was freed and told to escape to safety. However Rav Shlomo continued
his mission, appearing before Charles V the Roman Emperor. This time
he was imprisoned and told to choose between converting or being burned
at the stake. Rav Shlomo Molcho would hear nothing of it and happily
died Al Kiddush Hashem at the young age of 32 years old on 5 Teves 5292/1532, while clinging to his religion after a short but accomplished life. Yehi Zichro Boruch (also see the Early Acharonim by Rabbi Hersh Goldwurm)
*Dovid HaReuveni was eventually arrested by the Emperor in Germany and is speculated to have died in prison.
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