Rabbi Yaakov Kassin

Rabbi Yaakov ben Shaul Kassin was born in 1900 in Jerusalem. His father was the renowned Talmid Chacham Rabbi Shaul Kassin, who instilled in his son a great passion for Torah. From a young age, Rabbi Yaakov was destined to choose Torah over childish games. Rabbi Yaakov attended the Ohel Moed Yeshiva in Jerusalem, a yeshiva founded by Gaon Rabbi Raphael Shlomo Laniado. Many great Sephardic Chachamim were educated at the Ohel Moed Yeshiva, which in 1923 became the Porat Yosef Yeshiva. In 1917, Rabbi Shaul died of typhus. Two months later his wife passed away as well, leaving Rabbi Yaakov and his young brothers and sisters orphaned. Yaakov continued to learn with great enthusiasm despite his personal hardships. In 1919, Rabbi Yaakov met his life partner, Mazal, daughter of Chacham Shalom Hedaya. She came from a distinguished family of Chachamim from Aleppo. Her father served as Av Beit Din of the Beit Din of Jerusalem and as Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Beit El. In 1923, Rabbi Yaakov was accepted into the advanced Gemara program at Porat Yosef Yeshiva. Rabbi Yaakov soon joined a small group for the in-depth study of Kabbalah. This study group, officially known as Yeshivat Oz VeHadar, was led by the Mekubal Rabbi Salman Eliyahu (father of the Rishon LeTzion Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu) and the Mekubal Rabbi Ephraim Menashe HaCohen. Rabbi Yaakov possessed encyclopedic knowledge, easily identifying any section, chapter, or sentence that he was asked to recall. At the age of 25 he wrote his first work on Kabbalah, titled "Or HaLevana." He received approbation from Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld (1849). In 1927, Rabbi Yaakov became the founder of the "Gan HaLevanon" Yeshiva. This yeshiva was attended by many great Sephardic Chachamim. They would gather to hear the young Rabbi Yaakov deliver his brilliant discourses. Despite his young age, he was recognized as a great Kabbalistic authority, acknowledged by all the Torah scholars of Jerusalem. In 1928, Rabbi Yaakov was appointed to serve on the Sephardic Beit Din of Jerusalem. Shortly thereafter, Rabbi Yaakov was chosen by the Chief Rabbis, Rabbi Yaakov Meir and Rabbi Ezra Harari Raful, to travel to the United States on a fundraising mission on behalf of the Sephardic orphanages of Jerusalem. Rabbi Yaakov wanted to decline due to his full schedule and the burden of his responsibilities in Jerusalem. In the end he yielded to the pressure of the Chachamim, who felt he would be the best representative, and agreed to go to America for two months. When Rabbi Yaakov arrived in New York, he was welcomed by the rabbis and leaders of the Syrian community. The two months that Rabbi Yaakov had originally intended to spend in America turned into six. Rabbi Yaakov made a great impression on everyone he met. The community repeatedly pleaded with him to extend his stay so they could benefit from his knowledge. At that time, the Syrian community lacked a spiritual leader who could uphold its strength and unity. The members of the community were so impressed with Rabbi Yaakov that they wanted him to accept the position of chief rabbi. After tireless requests from the leaders of the American community, Rabbi Yaakov signed an agreement that if he ever decided to leave Eretz Yisrael in the future, he would serve as rabbi of the Syrian community of New York. After six months in America, Rabbi Yaakov returned to his family and colleagues in Eretz Yisrael. Through this trip he had greatly eased the financial burden of Israel's educational institutions. After Rabbi Yaakov's arrival in Jerusalem, he received numerous letters from the leaders of the Syrian community of New York, asking him to accept the position of chief rabbi. The Chachamim of Jerusalem and Rabbi Yaakov's father-in-law advised him to accept the position so that he could inspire the Syrian community of New York. Rabbi Yaakov replied that he would accept the position for one year. That one year turned into sixty-two years, during which Rabbi Yaakov served as leader of the Syrian community in New York. He performed Brit Milah (circumcisions), served as a sofer (scribe), taught men the laws and practice of shechita (kosher slaughter), established a Beit Din, taught bar mitzvah lessons, officiated at weddings, gave shiurim on various topics, and served as head of the Magen David Yeshiva. He did a great deal to help the Syrian community withstand assimilation in America. Rabbi Yaakov Kassin ascended to the Heavenly Yeshiva on the 3rd of Tevet, 1994. Sipurei Tzadik Anonymous Author In 1928, Rabbi Rachamim Sherem published his second volume of "Sefer Shaarei Rachamim." This book consists of responsa, in two volumes, dealing with matters connected to the teachings of the Rashash - Rabbi Shalom Sharabi (1777) - regarding prayers and other mitzvot. Rabbi Rachamim wanted an experienced Talmid Chacham to review and edit his work. Rabbi Yaakov accepted the task on the condition that his involvement in the editing remain unknown. He insisted on this condition out of humility, since he had been chosen when there were many other Chachamim in the city of Jerusalem. When the sefer was published, the leading Chachamim were astonished that he had chosen to conceal his identity, even though his outstanding notes could have made him famous! Rabbi Yaakov thus fulfilled the teaching of the Sages that a Talmid Chacham should compose one anonymous sefer in his lifetime, in order to demonstrate humility before Ha-Shem. Recovery from Illness In Rabbi Yaakov's diary, he describes a remarkable event that occurred when his first sefer, "Or HaLevana," was published. During the year preceding the publication of the book, Rabbi Yaakov suffered from excruciating pain. It occurred to Rabbi Yaakov that the merit of publishing his book might help him. In the introduction to the book, Rabbi Yaakov praises Ha-Shem, Who helped him overcome his ailment, and expresses hope that Ha-Shem would grant him complete healing. The following was recorded in Rabbi Yaakov's diary: "Gaon Rabbi Shlomo Sofioff, a great friend of mine, told me that he dreamed he was standing in the synagogue of his late father, Rabbi David Sofioff. During the prayer, he noticed an old man standing in the northeast corner, wrapped in a tallit and tefillin, reciting the prayer with great concentration. He was told that this was none other than the great Mekubal Rashash - Rabbi Shalom Sharabi. "My friend approached him, kissed his hand, and said: 'My friend Rabbi Yaakov Kassin is very ill. Please pray for his recovery; he studies Kabbalah diligently and prays from your Siddur - the Siddur HaRashash.' The Rashash replied: 'Yes, that is the reason I came: do not be afraid, he will soon recover, and all will be well.' "Rav Sofioff conveyed this joyful news to me, and it indeed came to pass. From the year I completed my book on kavanot, I began to be relieved of my suffering. By that time my condition had improved, and Baruch Hashem, now my illness has passed completely." Preserving Family Purity Rabbi Yaakov was asked to meet with a woman from the community regarding a personal matter. The Rav said he would meet her at the Shaarei Tzion Synagogue. When they met, Rabbi Yaakov asked the woman: "Ma'am, how are you?" She answered sadly: "Every time I come to the synagogue, I see children playing and walking home with their parents. I feel terrible pain when I see this, since I have no children of my own." Rabbi Yaakov said: "The only thing that will bring kedusha into your life is if you and your husband keep our holy Torah and its precious mitzvot. Do the two of you keep the Torah and mitzvot?" She replied: "Yes, Chacham Yaakov!" Rabbi Yaakov asked: "Ma'am, do you observe the holy mitzvah of taharat hamishpacha - 'family purity'?" She replied: "Of course!" However, after mentioning a couple of halachot, it became clear that she was not familiar with most of the laws. Rabbi Yaakov met with the couple and taught them the halachot, repeating them many times. He told them that if they were careful with the laws of family purity, they would merit children. Nine months later, a healthy son was born to the family. The couple named their son after the Tzadik who had taught them how to achieve their goal! May the merit of the Tzadik protect Am Yisrael! (From the book "A Legacy of Leaders 2")