Physical Description

Detail Description

Bi-lingual Hebrew-Arabic edition of this ethical work by the renowned R. Moses Khalfon Kohen. The title-page state shat it is a precious ethical work, straightforward middot, and with each and every saying is accompanied by stories and parables. It is bi-lingual so that everyone can read it, bath at day and by night and especially on shabbat. It is dated with the verse “[You will surely arise and take pity on Zion], for it is time to be gracious to her כי־עת לחננה כי־בא (676 = 1916) [the appointed time has come]” (Psalms 102:14).

R. Moses Khalfon Kohen (Ramach, 1874–1950) was one of the leading rabbis of the island of Djerba, Tunisia, during the 20th century. Ramach’s great-grandfather was R. Shaul (Saul) Hacohen was the head of the rabbinical court in Djerba. R. Moshe (Chalfon) was named after his grandfather, Rabbi Moshe Hacohen, author of the book Pnai Moshe; "Halphon" is a nickname. His father R. Shalom, the author of numerous books including Nahar Shalom, Hefetz Yakar and HaimVeShalom, was initially the rabbi and head of the local rabbinical court in the city of Zervis, near Djerba, but in 1924 he emigrated to Mandatory Palestine to join the Elders of Zefat. During his youth Ramach’s family were well off financially and they were well known for their generosity and the support they gave to the elderly and poor of Djerba. However, when he became a teenager his family's financial situation took a turn for the worse and Ramach contributed to the family income by working as a book editor and copyist. He received his Jewish education from his father as well as the chief rabbi of Tunisia, R. Rabbi Joseph Barbi. When his father was called upon to be the rabbi of Zervis, Ramach was asked by the local community to become their ritual slaughterer. At the age of 17 he mastered the laws of Jewish ritual slaughter and began to work in the profession. However, the difficult conditions, primarily the outdoor heat during the summer, caused him to become feverish as well as affecting his vision. He wished to continue working in order to help his family financially, but they prevailed upon him to return to Djerba and to continue with his studies.

In 1917, at the age of 43, Ramach was appointed as a member of the rabbinical court of Djerba (serving together with R. Zvi Hacohen Yehonatan and R. Mordechai Emaus Cohen). It took a great deal of pressure to persuade him to accept the appointment; he completely refused the position of head of the court and only accepted the appointment as the third member. This court enacted a number of important decrees and carefully regulated the lives of the Jewish communities throughout the island. In 1943 the Nazis came to Tunisia, and demanded that Ramach collect 50 kilos of gold in 3​¹⁄₂ hours and hand it over to them; otherwise they would bomb the Jewish communities of Djerba and Tunis. The next day the Allies conquered Tunisia and the Nazis were gone from Tunisia. The 35 kilos of gold that the Jews managed to collect was not handed to the Germans. Ramach was an enthusiastic supporter of the Zionist movement. Among other decrees, he decreed that Israel's Independence Day be celebrated for three days. His writings that predate the State of Israel are full of detailed political plans, not only regarding Zionist ideas but also expanding upon his cosmopolitan ideas, such as a plan to establish a League of Nations and a World Court, both of which would have their headquarters in Jerusalem. While he was still living in Djerba he purchased land in Israel. In his old age, after his health deteriorated, he decided to emigrate to Israel. His son Shushan traveled to Tunis to arrange the necessary visas but Ramach’s health deteriorated even further and the emigration had to be called off. Ramach died on the 18th of Shevat 1950 in Djerba. Among the eulogizers was R. Ovadiah Yosef, who characterized Ramach's philosophy of Jewish law as closely adhering to the judgements of the author of the Shulchan Arukh (R. Joseph Caro). Approximately 80 of his works have been published, covering all facets of Judaism. Nonetheless, many works remain in manuscript. He is best known for two of his works in Jewish law (halacha): "Responsa Shoel VeNishal", a collection of more than 3,000 responsa he penned, in 8 volumes, and "Brit Kehuna", a compilation of the customs of the Jewish community of Djerba and its surroundings, following the order of the Shulchan Arukh.

Hebrew Description

  מוסרים ... ומדות ישרים. ועל כל מאמר ומאמר איזה פרפרת ומילי דדרשא עם מעשיות ומשלים מזה אחד בלשון הקדש ומזה אחד בלשון ערבי ... וקראו בו ... ובפרט ביום שבת קדש ... המחברים [ר’ חיים ב"ר זקן חורי, ר’ משה ב"ר שלום הכהן, ר’ דוד ב"ר משה עידאן והמקי"ש, הוא מקיקץ שלי] ... ‬

עברית וערבית באותיות עבריות.

Reference

://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moshe_Hacohen; Bibliography of the Hebrew Book 1470-1960 #000129811