Community Magazine June 2009

34 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE 1934, he realized his dream of settling permanently in the sacred city of Yerushalayim. In a haskama (letter of approbation) to his work by Rabbi Shimon Agasi, Hacham Yehuda was described as “a great, righteous man and Kabbalist, renowned as a holy man – the wisdom of Hashem is within him. His works prove the extent of his sanctity and his hidden wisdom, which is evident to those who love to learn.” Hacham Yehuda determined that he was a gilgul (reincarnation) of Rabbi Yehezkel ben Yehuda Landau of Prague (1713 - 1793), a legendary Ashkenazic sage more commonly known by the name of his work, Noda Beyehuda. Although the Noda Beyehuda achieved greatness during his lifetime as both a scholar and sad- dik, Hacham Yehuda asserted, his soul had to return to earth to fulfill his Torah obligation to study Kabbalah. Hacham Yehuda therefore focused his time and energies on the study of Kabbalah, in order to perfect the soul of the Noda Beyehuda. Indeed, Hacham Yehuda attained a level of Kabbalistic proficien- cy that few other masters in the field achieved. He learned how to detect the presence of spirits and demons, as well the art of exorcism – eliminating these harmful forces from a person. Additionally, when approached by somebody claiming to have had encountered a spirit, HachamYehuda had the ability to discern from the person’s report whether or not such an encountered had in fact occurred. Hacham Yehuda Moshe Fetaya passed away on the 27th of Av, 5702/1942, and was buried on Har Hazetim (Mount of Olives), in the section of the great talmidei hachamim of Bavel. Hacham Yehuda then asked, “Aren’t you the notorious Shabtai Tzvi from Izmir, who made him- self to be a Mashiah?” The spirit confirmed that he was, indeed, Shabtai Tzvi the infamous false Messiah, born in 5391/1631 in Smyrna (today Izmir, Turkey). During his turbulent life, Tzvi purported to be a rabbi and Kabbalist, and, following a difficult period in Jewish history, ultimately attracted a very large following of Jews who believed him to be the long-awaited Mashiah. Under pressure from the Sultan, Tzvi later renounced Judaism and began practicing Islam. He died in obscurity in 1666 in Dulcigno, Montenegro. “Two hundred and thirty seven years have already passed since your death,” Hacham Yehuda continued. “Tell me, where have you reincarnated until now? How were you judged?” The spirit refused to answer, and again mocked Hacham Yehuda. Hacham Yehuda recited additional yihudim , and explained to the cursing and agonizing spirit that he sought this information for his benefit, to enable him to achieve atonement. Finally, the spirit felt assured and allowed Hacham Yehuda to continue. The hacham asked whether the yihudim helped rectify him, and the spirit replied, “Yes, yes, your honor, I feel that the weight of the klipah is lighter upon me.” “How thick is the klipah that is left upon you?” the rabbi inquired. “Without exaggeration, it is at least two feet thick. I am indeed Shabtai Tzvi. I did not repent before my death, and I was buried in a gentile cemetery. Even while I was yet alive, the klipah would materialize before my eyes, and this is what caused me to become evil.” The spirit proceeded to express remorse for the sins he committed and his desire to complete his process of rectification. He also thanked and blessed Hacham Yehuda for helping him, and began elaborating on his story. After his death, he endured demonic beatings for twelve years and was reincarnated numerous times within wild animals. His invasion of Bachur’s soul marked his first time possessing a human. Hacham Yehuda advised Bachur to learn Torah and Zohar each day in the early hours of the predawn morn- ing and after his meal for the sake of elevating the soul of Shabtai Tzvi. He further instructed him to immerse in a mikveh every day and disregard any evil thoughts. Rather than pay heed to them, he was to respond instead by concentrating on certain pesukim (Biblical verses). The spirit also requested that Hacham Yehuda continue to recite yihudim and blow the shofar into Bachur’s ear each day, as this, too, would help him earn the right to enter Gehinom and achieve atonement. Within a few days, Bachur was no longer disturbed by the thoughts that had plagued him for so many years. Hacham Yehuda examined him and confirmed that the spirit had departed for Gehinom . Yehuda Azoulay is the author of A Legacy of Leaders, a groundbreaking English book of biographies and stories of Sephardic hachamim.