Community Magazine November 2008

30 Community magazine H ACHAM R EPHAEL B A R U C H T OLEDANO ZT ” L was born in Meknes, Morocco in 5690/1930. His father, Harav Yaakov, was a scion of the illus- trious Toledano family that had produced forty generations of hachamim , andhehimself served as a revered Rabbinic leader in Meknes.YoungRephaelreceived his primary education from his father, who early on in Raphael’s youth recognized the boy’s sharp mind and extraordinary sensitivity to the needs of others. Raphael stud- ied practical halacha under the dayan (Rabbinical judge) of Meknes, Harav Haim Mashash, who was considered one of the foremost halachic authorities in Morocco at the time . Honoring Parents At the age of ten, young Rephael contracted a seri- ous illness that caused him immense discomfort. At one point during his illness, Rephael’s childhood friend, Hacham Yosef Mashash, who later served as Chief Rabbi of Haifa, came to visit him and found the boy groaning in pain. His father suddenly entered the room, whereupon Rephael immediately stopped groaning, tightly pursing his lips. When Hacham Yaakov left, Yosef asked Rephael why he had stopped crying, and he answered, “I did not want to upset my father.” In order not to cause his father distress by displaying his intense pain in his presence, he instead restrained his groans and bore his pain silently whenever his father was in the room. Achieving Greatness at a Young Age Gradually, Hacham Rephael forged close relationships with the great hachamim in Meknes, particularly with Hacham Haim Berdugo, under whose tutelage Hacham Rephael developed into a widely-acknowledged Talmudic scholar. Later, Hacham Rephael began studying Kabbalah with the renowned Kabbalist Rav Yosef Alkobi, and achieved mastery over the Zohar , Sefer Tekunim , and the writings of the Ari’zal. Ultimately, Hacham Rephael was recognized as one of the leading sages of Morocco. While still a young man, Hacham Rephael successfully established a system of social organizations geared to helping the poor in Meknes. His initia- tives included a society to assist ill patients, a charity to provide clothing for the needy, and a fund for underprivileged brides. Upon Hacham Yaakov Toledano’s passing, Hacham Rephael succeeded his father and assumed the mantle of leadership in Maknes. Following his father’s legendary example, Hacham Rephael distinguished himself as an influential communal leader who involved himself tirelessly in the religious and practical needs of his flock. He paid particular attention to the mikvaot and food establishments, ensuring that they adhered to the strictest standards of halacha . He also established a yeshivah , as well as an adult education program that attracted over 150 people each day. Hacham Rephael also exerted immense efforts in outreach, founding the Shuvu Banim organization to help non-observant Jews find their way back to authentic Torah Judaism. Following the example of his ancestors, Hacham Rephael recited Tikun Hassot nightly and frequently observed fasts. Yet, despite the rigors of his demanding schedule of prayer, Torah study and com- munal activity, he still found the time to travel throughout the country to raise funds for the needy. An Unplanned Mission Hacham Rephael once traveled to the Atlas Mountains to tend to an important communal need. During his visit, he observed the sorrowful state of poverty suffered by the Jewish residents of one of the towns. Most of this town’s Jewish residents did not even have warm clothing for the approaching winter. Children roamed the Hacham Rephael Baruch Toledano Meknes, Morocco 5650 (1890) – Bnei Brak 5731 (1971) Yom hilula: 18 Heshvan (which falls this year on November 16)