Grave

Chananya HaCohen

Marrakesh

Rabbi Chananya HaCohen of Marrakesh - a great Baal HaMofet (miracle worker) Yahrzeit - 18 Iyar Burial place - Cimetière Juif de Marrakech There is a tradition that during the reign of King Moulay Abd al-Rahman, one of the King's deputies loved to sleep. And he was always late for his meetings with the King. In those days there was a large concentration of Jews near the Muslim quarter. The King's governor lived there. And he always excused his lateness by the disturbances of the Jews, who would not let him sleep. On Shabbat they had prayers and singing, on weekdays they studied the Zohar and wept during Tikkun Chatzot (the midnight prayer), in summer they had Selichot - prayers of forgiveness - there was no peace from them. The King asked him what he proposed, and the King's deputy answered that they simply needed to be relocated elsewhere, where they could not disturb anyone. Upon learning of the impending decree to expel the Jewish community, the people became greatly troubled. The rumor reached the chief rabbi of Marrakesh - Rabbi Chananya HaCohen. He understood with whom he was dealing - the King's deputy was known as a punisher and a murderer. Rabbi Chananya remained silent and said nothing, saying they would wait a few more days. A few days passed, and the deputy lost his mind. He went out into the street, kicking and thrashing about like a donkey. The King ordered him locked up before anyone could see. He immediately understood that the Jews were involved in this. The King summoned two rabbis - the Rav of Marrakesh, Rabbi Chananya HaCohen, and the Rav of Mogador, Rabbi David Chazan. Those were difficult days - days of famine. When Rabbi David Chazan, the Rav of Mogador, received the King's invitation, he became very anxious for the fate of his community. He arrived in Marrakesh not knowing why the King had summoned him. His heart could not bear the great strain, and he died there during his visit to Marrakesh (in 1733) and was buried in Marrakesh next to Rabbi Avraham Azulai. But as it turned out, the King had invited the two rabbis only to ask them to find a remedy for his governor. Rabbi Chananya HaCohen appeared before the King alone and heard the request to pray for his governor. Rabbi Chananya HaCohen promised that he would pray for his healing, and the governor indeed recovered. May the merit of the tzadik protect Am Yisrael! (http://www.2all.co.il/web/Sites/emet1/PAGE115.asp)