Rabbi Moshe Cordovero
- Ha' Ramak (1522-1570)
The RaMaK had originally studied
Qabalah under the guidance of Rav Sh'lomoh Al'Kabatz (Rabbi
Solomon Al'Kabatz). This Rav Sh'lomoh Al'Kabatz was, himself, a
student of Rav Yosef Taitatzak, and, was also the author of the
mystical Shabbas (Shabbath) hymn known as 'Lecha Dodi'; a
supplication to the Sabbath as the Bride Shekinah.
Apparently, the Ramak learned how to
communicate with his own Maggid from both the teaching of Rav
Yosef Karo and the teaching of Rav Sh'lomoh Al'Kabatz. Like
Sh'lomoh Mol'choh before him, however, the disciple became
esteemed even above the masters. This is due to the fact that
Ha-Ramak heard a Bas Kol (Bath Kol: Daughter Voice) that urged
him to begin his School of Qabalah at Safed. According to Rabbi
Aryeh Kaplan, the Ramak was also visted by Eliyahu Ha'Tishbi
Ve'Ha-Navi (Elijah the Tishbite and the Prophet): "It is reported
that the prophet Elijah revealed himself to the Ramak, and when
he died, the Ari said that he saw a pillar of fire following his
bier" (Meditation and Kabbalah pg. 170). |
