Rabbi Rachamim Melamed HaCohen

Rabbi Rachamim Melamed HaCohen (1865–1932)

Yahrzeit - 4 Shevat Burial place - Har HaZeitim, Jerusalem

Rabbi Rachamim Melamed HaCohen was born in Shiraz (Iran) to Tuti and Rabbi Chaim ben Shmuel Cohen-Tzedek.

He was orphaned of his mother at an early age and was raised by his stepmother, who cared for him as her own son.

From a young age he displayed outstanding abilities: already at the age of 11 he delivered public sermons, earning him the nickname "Molla Kuchik" (young sage, in Persian).

He studied under his father, and later became a student of the Ben Ish Chai (Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad). He married Esther, daughter of R' Aga, in 1882.

He lost several children in infancy, but four survived.

He was the spiritual leader of the Persian Jewish community in Jerusalem. In Shiraz he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt connected to a conflict over the expansion of a synagogue. In 1906 (at the age of 41) he made aliyah to Eretz Yisrael, at first in secret, later bringing his family as well. He lost a significant portion of his manuscripts during the voyage due to a storm and was forced to rewrite them from memory. He founded the "Shaarei Rachamim" synagogue in Jerusalem, and also took part in establishing the "Or HaChaim" Talmud Torah.

 

Rabbi Rachamim was a close friend and chavruta (study partner) of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook. Rav Kook wrote the introduction to his book "Tzedaka veRachamim" and called him "a friend and a great sage." At his funeral in 1932, Rav Kook delivered the eulogy.

He passed away in Jerusalem on January 12, 1932, and was buried on the Mount of Olives (Har HaZeitim). His grave, like many others, was destroyed during the period of Jordanian control over Jerusalem (1948–1967).

His main works are: "Kisei Rachamim," "Yeshua veRachamim," "Chayei Rachamim," "Zichron Rachamim," "Ateret Rachamim."

• "ישועה ורחמים" (Yeshua veRachamim)At the age of 41 he moved to Jerusalem, where he led the Persian Jewish community and founded the "Shaarei Rachamim" synagogue.

He was a close friend and study partner of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook, together with whom he studied the hidden parts of the Torah. Rav Kook held his knowledge in high regard and called him "an outstanding sage and a dear friend."

Despite personal tragedies – the loss of several children and the loss of manuscripts cast into the sea during his journey – Rabbi Melamed HaCohen left behind an extensive literary legacy: "Kisei Rachamim," "Yeshua veRachamim," "Tzedaka veRachamim," "Chayei Rachamim," "Zichron Rachamim," "Ateret Rachamim."

May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael!