Tzadikim

Rabbi Ephraim ben Israel Alnaqua

Rabbi Ephraim ben Israel Alnaqua (1359-1442) (Hebrew: אפרים בן ישראל אלנאקוה‎, romanized: Efrayim ben Yisra'el 'alnakuvah) (also, "Al-Nakawa", "Al-Nakava", "Ankava", "Ankoa", "Enkaoua", "Alnucawi", etc., Hebrew: "נקוה", "אלנאקוה", "אנקווה", "אנקאווא") was a physician, rabbi, theological writer, and founder of the Jewish community at Tlemçen (Algeria), where he died in 1442.

Born: Spain 1354
Died: Tlemçen (Algeria), 1442
 

Rabbi Ephraim ben Israel Alnaqua (1359-1442) (Hebrew: אפרים בן ישראל אלנאקוה‎, romanized: Efrayim ben Yisra'el 'alnakuvah) (also, "Al-Nakawa", "Al-Nakava", "Ankava", "Ankoa", "Enkaoua", "Alnucawi", etc., Hebrew: "נקוה", "אלנאקוה", "אנקווה", "אנקאווא") was a physician, rabbi, theological writer, and founder of the Jewish community at Tlemçen (Algeria), where he died in 1442.

According to a legend, Alnaqua escaped from the Spanish Inquisition, which had martyred his father (rabbi Israel Ben Joseph) and mother at the stake, and came to Tlemcen mounted on a lion, using a serpent as a halter. Azulai refers to him as a miracle-worker. Alnaqua succeeded, after all, other physicians had failed, in curing the only daughter of a king of the Zayyanid dynasty. Refusing the reward of gold and silver offered him by the king, he begged only that the Jews living near Tlemçen might be united in it. In this way, the community was formed. Alnaqua's first care was to establish a large synagogue: this is still in existence and bears his name. Above the rabbi's chair, on which the verse Jer. xvii.12 is engraved, a lamp burns perpetually. Alnaqua's grave, surrounded by those of his family, is in the old cemetery: it is sacred to North African Jews and is frequently visited by pilgrims from all Algeria.

Alnaqua had two sons, Israel and Judah. The latter lived at Oran, Mostaganem, and, later, at Tlemçen, and became the father-in-law of Simeon ben Zemah Duran. Alnaqua wrote for his elder son Israel Shaar Kevod Adonai (Entrance to the Glory of God), containing answers to the criticisms of Nahmanides on the Moreh of Maimonides. Manuscripts of this work exist in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. He wrote, also, some hymns.

May the merit of the tzadik Rabbi Ephraim ben Israel Alnaqua protect us all. Amen

Light a virtual Candle
  • Soul Elevations

    • Guadalupe Argimiro ben Leandro Cabrera
    • Guadalupe Argimiro ben Leandro Cabrera
    • Kim bat Robert
    • Guadalupe Argimiro ben Leandro Cabrera
    • מרים בת שרה
    • Ruth bat Avraham
  • Healing

    • Elizabeth Sarah bat Luiza
    • Itzhak ben Sarah
    • Lori Fisher bat Phyllis
    • Eric Michael ben Avraham
    • Sheila bat Avraham
    • Juliette Brown bat Milton
    • גניפר נעמי בת איילין
    • Rosa Magda bat Rosa
    • David Lane ben Robert
    • Hilda bat Sarah
    • Edisa bat Miriam
    • Rosa Magda bat Rosa
    • Elena bat Berta
    • Maria Nieves bat Maria Salomé
    • Rosa Magda bat Rosa
    • Raylene bat Sarah
  • Success in life

    • Luis Felipe ben Guadalupe Argimiro
    • Kim bat Robert
    • Elsa Cabrera bat Danniela
    • Luiz ben Lino
    • Luis Felipe ben Guadalupe
    • Ananda Michelle bat Danniela
    • Danniela bat Blancas Sonia
    • Danniela bat Blanca Sonia
    • Ananda Michelle bat Danniela
    • Meirav bat Sean
    • Elsa bat Danniela
    • Harrison Patrick ben Patricia
    • Yaakov ben Itzhak
    • Patricia bat (john) Avraham
Light a virtual Candle


Hillulot | Biographies | Prayers | Virtual Candle