Rabbi Moshe Mitrani - the "Mabit"

Rabbi Moshe ben Yosef Mitrani - «the Mabit» (1505-1580) in the city of Salonika. Yahrzeit - 21 Nissan Burial place - Tzfat In 1518, Rabbi Moshe Mitrani left Salonika and set out for the Holy Land. Upon his arrival he settled in the city of Tzfat, which was then a glorious center of Torah and spirituality. Many of the exiles from Spain found rest in Tzfat, and this contributed to a significant influx of Jews into the mystical city, turning it into a central Torah community. At the age of 16, Rabbi Moshe joined the famous yeshiva of Rabbi Yaakov Beirav in Tzfat. He was one of four people who received special semicha (ordination) from Rabbi Yaakov Beirav in 1538 in Tzfat, together with Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, and Rabbi Yosef Sagiz. Soon after, he headed his own yeshiva, where he taught for about 60 years. Great Torah scholars emerged from his yeshiva. The great rabbis of Tzfat recognized his brilliant abilities in Torah and often consulted him on matters of halacha (Jewish law). His main work was «Kiryat Sefer» — an extensive commentary on the «Yad HaChazakah» of the Rambam. The «Mabit» wrote a collection of halachic responsa with 841 answers. He also wrote «Beit Elohim» («House of G-d») — a thematic discussion of the elements of prayer. Rabbi Moshe mi-Trani left behind a young son, Rabbi Yosef mi-Trani, who later became one of the greatest rabbis of his generation - the Maharit.   Custom at the gravesite There is a custom of pulling grass from the cemetery. Rabbi Moshe said that we pull grass after a burial as a reminder of the resurrection of the dead. The idea goes back to Tehillim 72:16: «They shall sprout from the city like the grass of the field.» «Regret over our past sins helps us clarify our motives for changing our moral behavior. We want our motive for improving ourselves to be solely for the fulfillment of the Will of G-d, though people may choose to abstain from sin in the future for far less noble reasons. They may change their way of life because they are no longer able to continue sinning, or because they can no longer sustain a lifestyle that includes that particular sin, or because they no longer feel drawn to it. That our decision to change our behavior be based on the Will of G-d means to truly regret having done it.» (Rabbi Moshe mi-Trani) On the last day of Pesach 5340 (1580), Rabbi Moshe was called to his final resting place. He is buried near the Arizal. May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael! http://www.tog.org.il/en/Article.aspx?id=108