Joseph Taitazak
Encyclopedia
Joseph ben Solomon Ṭaiṭazaḳ (Hebrew: יוסף בן שלמה טאיטאצק), also referred to by the acronym MahaRITaTS, was a talmudic authority and kabalist who lived at Salonica in the 15th and 16th centuries. With his father and his brother he went in 1492 from Spain, his native land, to Salonica, where he became rabbi
.
's (1560-1630 CE) Sh'nei Luchot HaB'rit (Two Tablets of the Covenant) discusses the magic square in relation to the mysteries of creation. Joseph was a fervent adherent of the Kabbalah
, in which he was well versed, and led an ascetic life. Elijah de Vidas, in his Reshit Ḥokmah (Sha'ar ha-Ḳedushshah, ch. vii), relates that, with the exception of Sabbath
nights, Joseph for forty years never slept in a bed, but on a box, with his feet on the ground. With such a disposition to asceticism and mysticism it was but natural that Joseph should become enthralled by the Messianic
vagaries of Solomon Molko, whom he supported while preaching at Salonica in 1529. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
writes that "Rabbi Joseph Tzayach was apparently influenced by Abulafia's school of Kabbalah, and many ideas that he discusses seem to be taken verbatim from Abulafia's writings."
He was also considered one of the greatest Talmudists of his time, even Joseph Caro invoking his authority (Abḳat Rokel, §56). Among Joseph's disciples were Isaac Adarbi
, Samuel di Medina, and Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz
.
His Kabalistic works include:
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
.
Life as Kabbalist
Rabbi Tzayach was regarded as one of the most mysterious Kabbalists of the sixteenth century and one of the leading rabbinical figures within Jerusalem and Damascus. He discusses magic squares which allude to the highest and most concealed concepts, and their use within amulets. Many references can be found in writings of contemporary and leading Kabbalists, such as Rabbi Joseph Tirshom's manuscript (ca. 1550 CE) "Shoshan Yesod Olam" (The Rose, Foundation of the Universe), Rabbi Baal Shem Tov's (1537-1653 CE) Toledot Adam (Generation of Adam) and Rabbi Isaiah HorowitzIsaiah Horowitz
Isaiah Horowitz, , also known as the Shelah ha-Kadosh after the title of his best-known work, was a prominent Levite rabbi and mystic.-Biography:...
's (1560-1630 CE) Sh'nei Luchot HaB'rit (Two Tablets of the Covenant) discusses the magic square in relation to the mysteries of creation. Joseph was a fervent adherent of the Kabbalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
, in which he was well versed, and led an ascetic life. Elijah de Vidas, in his Reshit Ḥokmah (Sha'ar ha-Ḳedushshah, ch. vii), relates that, with the exception of Sabbath
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
nights, Joseph for forty years never slept in a bed, but on a box, with his feet on the ground. With such a disposition to asceticism and mysticism it was but natural that Joseph should become enthralled by the Messianic
Jewish Messiah
Messiah, ; mashiah, moshiah, mashiach, or moshiach, is a term used in the Hebrew Bible to describe priests and kings, who were traditionally anointed with holy anointing oil as described in Exodus 30:22-25...
vagaries of Solomon Molko, whom he supported while preaching at Salonica in 1529. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
Aryeh Kaplan
Aryeh Moshe Eliyahu Kaplan was a noted American Orthodox rabbi and author known for his "intimate knowledge of both physics and kabbalah." He was lauded as an original thinker and prolific writer, from studies of the Torah, Talmud and mysticism to introductory pamphlets on Jewish beliefs and...
writes that "Rabbi Joseph Tzayach was apparently influenced by Abulafia's school of Kabbalah, and many ideas that he discusses seem to be taken verbatim from Abulafia's writings."
He was also considered one of the greatest Talmudists of his time, even Joseph Caro invoking his authority (Abḳat Rokel, §56). Among Joseph's disciples were Isaac Adarbi
Isaac Adarbi
Isaac Adarbi , was a casuist and preacher of the Shalom Congregation of Salonica during the 16th century...
, Samuel di Medina, and Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz
Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz
Shlomo ha-Levi Alkabetz, also spelt Alqabitz, Alqabes; was a rabbi, kabbalist and poet perhaps best known for his composition of the song Lecha Dodi; sources differ as to when he wrote it .- Biography :Alkabetz studied Torah under Rabbi Yosef Taitatzak...
.
Works
He was the author of the following works:- Ben Porot, a commentary on EcclesiastesEcclesiastesThe Book of Ecclesiastes, called , is a book of the Hebrew Bible. The English name derives from the Greek translation of the Hebrew title.The main speaker in the book, identified by the name or title Qoheleth , introduces himself as "son of David, king in Jerusalem." The work consists of personal...
(Venice, 1599) - Leḥem Setarim, on the Book of DanielBook of DanielThe Book of Daniel is a book in the Hebrew Bible. The book tells of how Daniel, and his Judean companions, were inducted into Babylon during Jewish exile, and how their positions elevated in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. The court tales span events that occur during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar,...
and the Five Scrolls (ib. 1608), and on PsalmsPsalmsThe Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
, JobBook of JobThe Book of Job , commonly referred to simply as Job, is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible. It relates the story of Job, his trials at the hands of Satan, his discussions with friends on the origins and nature of his suffering, his challenge to God, and finally a response from God. The book is a...
, and ProverbsBook of ProverbsThe Book of Proverbs , commonly referred to simply as Proverbs, is a book of the Hebrew Bible.The original Hebrew title of the book of Proverbs is "Míshlê Shlomoh" . When translated into Greek and Latin, the title took on different forms. In the Greek Septuagint the title became "paroimai paroimiae"...
(Neubauer, Cat. Bodl. Hebr. MSS. Nos. 206, 2; 329; 969; 2270, 8; 3521) - A commentary on the Sayings of the Fathers
- ResponsaResponsaResponsa comprise a body of written decisions and rulings given by legal scholars in response to questions addressed to them.-In the Roman Empire:Roman law recognised responsa prudentium, i.e...
, some of which have been included in the writings of his contemporaries and pupils - Notes on casuistical matters
- Commentaries on haggadic passages
- A treatise on the astrolabeAstrolabeAn astrolabe is an elaborate inclinometer, historically used by astronomers, navigators, and astrologers. Its many uses include locating and predicting the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars, determining local time given local latitude and longitude, surveying, triangulation, and to...
(Neubauer, l.c. Nos. 834, 7, 10; 2080, 3; 2254, 8). - According to Isaac AdarbiIsaac AdarbiIsaac Adarbi , was a casuist and preacher of the Shalom Congregation of Salonica during the 16th century...
(Dibre Ribot, p. 64), Joseph was the author also of novellæ on Alfasi.
His Kabalistic works include:
- "Even Hashoham" -The Onyx stone
- "Tzeror Hachaim"- The Binding of Life
- "Tzafanat Paneach"
- "Sherit Yosef"- Remnant of Joseph
Jewish Encyclopedia bibliography
- Gedaliah ibn Yaḥya, Shalshelet ha-Ḳabbalah, ed. Amsterdam, p. 49a;
- David ConforteDavid ConforteDavid Conforte was a Hebrew literary historian born in Salonica, author of the literary chronicle known by the title Ḳore ha-Dorot.-Biography:...
, Ḳore ha-Dorot, p. 35a; - AzulaiChaim Joseph David AzulaiChaim Joseph David Azulai ben Isaac Zerachia , commonly known as the Chida , was a Jerusalem born rabbinical scholar, a noted bibliophile, and a pioneer in the publication of Jewish religious writings.- Biography :Azulai was born in Jerusalem, where he received his education...
, Shem ha-Gedolim, i.40; - Giovanni Bernardo De RossiGiovanni Bernardo De RossiGiovanni Bernardo De Rossi was an Italian Christian Hebraist. He studied in Ivrea and Turin. In October 1769, he was appointed professor of Oriental languages at the University of Parma, where he spent the rest of his life...
, Dizionario, p. 314; - GeigerGeiger- People :* Abraham Geiger , German reform rabbi* Arno Geiger , Austrian writer* Emily Geiger , legendary heroine of the American Revolutionary War...
, Zeitschrift, iii.285, No. 21; - Moritz SteinschneiderMoritz SteinschneiderMoritz Steinschneider was a Bohemian bibliographer and Orientalist. He received his early instruction in Hebrew from his father, Jacob Steinschneider , who was not only an expert Talmudist, but was also well versed in secular science...
, Cat. Bodl. col. 1533; - Heinrich GraetzHeinrich GraetzHeinrich Graetz was amongst the first historians to write a comprehensive history of the Jewish people from a Jewish perspective....
, Gesch. ix.35, 236, 299.