فارسیJewish quarter of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
According to Rabbi Yosef Hamadani Cohen (ז.צ.ל), who has been the leader of Iranian Jews after the 1979 revolution, Rabbi Orsharga was a great and generous Jewish figure.
As the Rabbi entered his advanced age, the Jewish community in Yazd wondered who could succeed the Rabbi as the community’s Chief Rabbinate. Some guessed it would be one of his students, others thought it could be his son. Eventually, Rabbi Yosef Hamadani Cohen, a relative of ours, and a group of other elders gather in Rabbi Orsherga’s house and exclaimed, “Our Teacher, Prophet Moses (Moshe Rabbeinu), chose a successor for himself. Who do you choose as your successor?”
Rabbi Orsharga called his two sons, Moshe and Shmuel. He entrusted Rabbi Moshe with the religious slaying (shechita) and circumcision (mila), and Rabbi Shmuel with marriage contracts (ketubah) and judgement among Jews.
It is said that for seven years after the demise of Rabbi Orsharga, no other Jew from the community passed away.
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
In the time of Rabbi Shmuel, son of the revered Rabbi Orsharga, a challenging incident occurred when a member of the community denounced his faith and proceeded to defame the congregation to the governor of Yazd. This act infuriated the governor, prompting him to summon the congregation’s leader.
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Rabbi Shmuel, dressed in his ceremonial garments, presented himself before the governor and skillfully tackled the allegations. With his eloquent address, he managed to dispel the governor’s suspicions and alleviate the tension.
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
According to Rabbi Yosef Haim Orsharga, a fifth-generation descendant of Rabbi Orsherga, Mullah Agha Baba was a classmate of Rabbi Ben Ish Chai in religious school during their studies in Baghdad. Rabbi Ben Ish Chai passed away in 5669 in the Hebrew calendar, which corresponds to 1899.
Mullah Agha Baba was Rabbi Orsharga’s great grandson and is buried below Rabbi Orsherga’s tomb. Like his grandfather, Mullah Agha Baba provided spiritual guidance to the city of Yazd.
During a trip to Tehran, Mullah Agha Baba met Hakim Yehezkel, the personal physician of Naser al-Din Shah, who introduced him to the Qajar court. This connection allowed Mullah Agha Baba to gain access to the royal court, where he met the Shah of Iran. Recognized for his wisdom and extensive knowledge, Mullah Agha Baba earned the respect of both the Shah and the court’s dignitaries.
A surviving letter left from Mullah Agha Baba reveals the story of his tax reduction request from the Shah. He had requested a tax reduction for his fellow Jews, but lost the letter a night before delivering it to the King. The letter was nowhere to be found. Distraught and worried, he went to bed without eating.
During the night, Mullah Agha Baba dreamt of his father, Rabbi Yitzhak, who asked about his distress and why he had not eaten. Rabbi Eshagh then informed his son that the lost letter could be found within the Zohar book on a specific page. Upon waking, Mullah Agha Baba followed his father’s guidance and discovered the letter. The Jewish community ultimately achieved a tax reduction due to Mullah Agha Baba’s efforts.
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Naser al-Din Shah inquired of Mullah Agha Baba, “I would like to understand, why do you refrain from consuming the meat that we slaughter? Do you perceive us as impure or unclean?” Some accounts suggest the Shah’s question was about their religion.
Mullah Agha Baba respectfully responded, “Your Majesty, please be assured that we do not view you as impure in any way. Allow me to clarify by proposing a demonstration. Kindly request for water to be brought forth, and wash your hands. I am willing to drink the water that has flowed from your hands. However, in adherence to the guidance of the Torah of Moses, the prophet of God, I am prohibited from consuming the meat that you slaughter.” This explanation satisfied the Shah’s curiosity.
Adopted from the archive of Dr. Shmuel Sharga
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
Jewish neighborhood of Yazd, Spring 2010
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