Rabbi Moshe Galanti

Rabbi Moshe ben Yonatan Galanti - Kabbalist and Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem in the second half of the 17th century (1620-1689) Yahrzeit - 21 Shevat Place of burial - Jerusalem Rabbi Moshe Galanti II was the son of Rabbi Yonatan, son of Rabbi Moshe Galanti the Elder, who studied under Rav Yosef Karo. Rav Moshe Galanti II studied under Rabbi Baruch Barzilai of Tzfat. Rabbi Galanti was the greatest of his generation in the wisdom of Torah. Eighty-seven Chachamim decided to appoint him head of the Beit Din (Jewish Court) in Jerusalem. Rabbi Moshe's grandson was the famous Rav Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter of Ger - the "Sfat Emet." His grandson praised his grandfather and the spiritual levels he had attained. Rabbi Moshe Galanti wrote two halachic works, "Elef HaMagen" and "Korban Chagigah." Rabbi Moshe Galanti, the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, left his beloved city and traveled to Damascus on a mission to raise funds for the community. Although it is not known exactly when he made this journey (since he traveled to Damascus several times), it may have been the trip he made in 1667. While in Damascus, Rav Galanti, known as Rabbi HaMagen, heard about an Arab sheikh who was said to possess miraculous healing powers. Like Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa, the sheikh would say, "This one will live, this one will die," and his words would come true. Moreover, it was said that the sheikh possessed mastery of the so-called seven branches of worldly wisdom. Rav Galanti, who was also well versed in these branches of wisdom, was intrigued by the sheikh's apparent ability to pronounce with such certainty decrees about matters that were not in human hands. Our Sages tell us that the key to life and death is entrusted to no one - not even to an angel; G-d keeps these keys to Himself. Even Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa could merely sense whether a sick person would recover or not, but the true key always remained in G-d's hands. "Can this gentile really be so holy," Rabbi Moshe pondered, "that he has been granted the honor of having the Book of Life and Death revealed to him? I serve G-d, study Torah, and constantly perform mitzvot; why has this same privilege not been granted to me?" Rav Moshe's curiosity grew and grew. Determined to arrange a meeting, he sent the most influential Jew in Damascus, called the Parnas, to inform the sheikh that a very wise Jew from Jerusalem would like to meet him. The sheikh, who had already heard of Rabbi Galanti, was glad to grant him an audience. They met at the sheikh's villa. Known throughout the city as a virtuous and pious man, the sheikh rarely left the confines of his luxurious residence. It consisted of several courtyards, numerous rooms, and magnificent gardens. "I have heard that you are a wise man," said the sheikh. "Is it true that you are learned in such-and-such wisdom?" "Yes, the L-rd has granted me some knowledge of this wisdom," Rabbi Galanti replied. To test him, the sheikh began asking Rabbi Galanti a series of difficult questions. Rabbi Moshe answered each question in detail and to the point. The sheikh was amazed to discover that he had complete mastery of this wisdom. Until now, the sheikh had assumed that he alone possessed full command of this knowledge. Now he had found a companion with whom he could converse as an equal. "My dear friend," the sheikh smiled. "I have greatly enjoyed your company. I would be very glad if you could come again, say, once a week. I see we have much to discuss." Two days later, the sheikh sent two of his servants to the rabbi's residence with an invitation to another audience with him. They accompanied the rabbi on horseback to the sheikh's mansion. "Peace be with you!" said the sheikh, embracing his dear friend. "Ever since you left here, I have thought a great deal about our conversation. I could not wait any longer, so I sent for you now." They sat down on soft cushions in one of the sheikh's luxurious sitting rooms. The sheikh again asked Rabbi Galanti whether he was versed in another of the seven branches of worldly wisdom. And once again he began questioning Rabbi Galanti. And once again he was amazed at the breadth of the rabbi's knowledge. When the conversation drew to a close, the sheikh asked his friend, "If I have found favor in your eyes, could you come to me every other day?" Rabbi Galanti agreed to his request. At each new meeting, they discussed another of the seven branches of wisdom. Each time, the sheikh felt a greater bond with the rabbi. He had never met another person who possessed the same understanding as Rabbi Galanti. Finally the sheikh confided in his companion. "To be honest, my friend, I am lacking certain preparatory details concerning the final branch of wisdom. Without them, I cannot fully grasp and use this branch. Do you have a complete understanding of it?" "Yes," Rav Moshe replied. Falling at his feet, the sheikh begged Rabbi Galanti to teach him everything he knew. He would pay any price for Rabbi Moshe to reveal this wisdom to him. "Heaven forbid," Rav Galanti replied. "This is not a subject for sale. However, I am willing to teach you on the condition that you teach me another part of the wisdom." The sheikh was stunned. "What do you mean? You are clearly wiser than I am. How can there be a branch of wisdom that you do not possess?" "You know a remarkable wisdom of which I am completely unaware: you can pray for a sick person and look into the Book of Life and Death. I lack this wisdom. Therefore," Rabbi Galanti concluded, "if you reveal this wisdom to me, I will teach you what you wish to know." The sheikh slowly returned to his seat. "Your request cannot be fulfilled. I am forbidden to reveal it to any man." "Likewise," Rabbi Galanti replied, "I cannot reveal what you so wish to know, except through an exchange of wisdom." After a silence, the sheikh spoke. "My dear friend, the reason I cannot reveal it to you is that I swore to my ancestors never to disclose this secret to anyone." "I too swore never to teach the wisdom I possess to anyone else," Rabbi Galanti replied. "Nevertheless, I believe that since acquiring this new knowledge will bring me tremendous benefit, it is permissible and does not violate my oath. You should feel the same way; remember, you are not selling it for money - you are exchanging wisdom. Through this new knowledge, you will attain enlightenment and gain full mastery of all seven branches of worldly wisdom." Rabbi Galanti's words were spoken with complete sincerity. The sheikh sat quietly for several minutes, gazing out the window at the garden. "I agree," he said softly. "But I fear, my friend, that the risk is too great for you." Rabbi Galanti's face lit up. "I am ready to do whatever you ask, no matter how difficult." "In that case, listen to me carefully. Return to your dwelling. When the sun draws near to setting, take a vow to fast for two days in a row. During your last meal, be sure not to eat meat or drink wine. After eating, immerse yourself in a pool of water and dress in fine clothing. For two days, pray for repentance and immerse yourself frequently. Then, on the third day, come back to me." "I agree to everything you say," Rabbi Galanti replied. "Go in peace," and the sheikh bid him farewell. Rabbi Galanti returned home and carried out to the letter every condition the sheikh had set. At the start of the third night, Rabbi Galanti decided to refrain from breaking his fast. He wanted to experience this secret wisdom in a state of true humility. When Rabbi Galanti appeared before him the next morning, the sheikh immediately noticed how weak and frail he looked. "I see you have done everything I asked." "Yes," Rabbi Galanti replied. "I am still fasting." Then the sheikh led his guest to a locked room, the key to which only he possessed. After they entered, the sheikh locked the door behind them. From there they came to a second locked door. This one opened onto a magnificent garden. In the middle of the garden was a spring of fresh water. Butterflies danced in the air. The spring flowed into a pool and then continued on its way through a narrow channel. Beside the spring stood a bench, on which lay two white cloaks. "We must first immerse here, before putting on these white garments," the sheikh whispered. Silently, they immersed themselves in the water and put on the new garments. Then the sheikh led the rabbi through the garden. Rabbi Galanti's curiosity had reached its peak. Finally, hidden behind a grove of trees, they came to a building of exquisite beauty. The structure's double doors were made of pure silver and adorned with wondrous engravings. "Take care," the sheikh said in a hushed voice. "Follow me with the utmost fear and awe." The sheikh opened the doors. Seeing the extraordinary beauty within, Rabbi Galanti was captivated. The fragrance was otherworldly. Before them was a chamber. At the entrance to the chamber hung a curtain set with precious stones. The sheikh bowed to the floor seven times before the curtain. Rabbi Galanti froze where he stood. Was there an idol inside? The sheikh gestured for him to bow. His head began to spin. He closed his eyes and, as if in a trance, fell to the floor and whispered, "Shiviti Ado-nai lenegdi tamid." Never in his life had he felt such awe. "Now," the sheikh whispered, "you may enter, and there you will find the secret you seek." Rabbi Galanti rose, drew back the curtain, and entered the chamber. Tapestries of gold and silver hung on the walls. On the wall facing the curtain hung an exquisite tablet engraved with a candelabrum. Above the menorah were four Hebrew words: "Shiviti Ado-nai lenegdi tamid" - (I will always place G-d before me). The ineffable Name of G-d was written in large letters. Rabbi Galanti was overjoyed to see this. His bowing had not been in vain! He bowed again and retraced his steps to the antechamber. Outside in the garden, Rabbi Galanti asked the sheikh, "You told me that inside the chamber I would find the answer. But nothing more than what my eyes saw was revealed to me." "My dear friend, let me explain. The four large letters you saw on the tablet are the Name of the Creator of the world. When I am asked to pray for a sick person, I immerse myself in the pool and enter the chamber. Before drawing back the curtain, I pray with all my heart. When I open it and look at the tablet, I see one of two things: either the four-letter Name shines and sparks of light seem to emanate from it, or it is dark and dim. If it shines, I know the sick person will live, and if it is dim, I know he will die. By this, I have revealed to you a secret that no other man knows." When Rabbi Moshe returned to his residence, he wept and wept. "Woe to us on the Day of Judgment," he lamented. "Look at this gentile - because he honors the Name of the Creator to such a degree, he has been granted the honor of having such Heavenly secrets revealed to him. But what can we, the Jewish people, say in response? We are far more fitting for G-d to reveal this to. Yet look at us, and see how we draw near to the Name of our L-rd!" May the merit of the Tzadik Rabbi Moshe Galanti protect us all!