Tzadikim

Rabbi Ohr Shraga

A humble kabbalists, dedicated his life to help others. Miracle worker.

Born: Born Early 18th century in Iran
Died: November 3, 1793 Yazd, Iran , 1793
 
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Mulla Or Shraga (born early 18th century in Yazd, Iran; died on October 31, 1793) was a kabbalist, dayan (religious judge), and spiritual leader among Persian Jewry in the 18th century. He served as a mohel (circumciser), shochet (ritual slaughterer), bodek (examiner), and dayan in Yazd. Renowned for his piety and dedication to Torah study, he was reputed to perform miracles, earning respect from both Jews and Muslims, who referred to him with the honorific "Mulla," a title typically reserved for Shiite scholars.

To prevent himself from sleeping for extended periods during his studies, he would place a copper pot upside down on the table with a candle underneath and rest his head upon it. As the pot heated, he would be compelled to lift his head and hands, prompting him to continue his learning.

Mulla Or Shraga passed away on October 31, 1793 (28th of Cheshvan, 5554 in the Hebrew calendar) and was buried on the outskirts of Yazd. A small structure was erected over his grave, where both Jews and Muslims would come to pray. In 2001, a Muslim man who had been childless for many years renovated the tomb after being advised by local residents to pray there; subsequently, he was blessed with children.

Among his descendants are several prominent rabbis, including Rabbi Yosef Shraga, a leader of the Persian Jewish community, and Rabbi Baruch Shraga, head of the rabbinical court in Jerusalem.

While most of his writings have not survived, two letters remain:

  1. In 1782, he wrote to the Jews of Mashhad, requesting assistance for Shadar (emissary) Hacham Eliyahu from Hebron.

  2. In 1783, he appealed to the Mashhad community to compel a man named Yitzhak ben Yehuda Cohen to provide for his wife, whom he had abandoned in Yazd. If support was not feasible, he urged that a divorce be arranged.

In his honor, several educational institutions have been named after him, including the 'Or HaShalom' Yeshiva in the Geula neighborhood, the Or Shraga Talmud Torah in the Bukharim neighborhood of Jerusalem, and the Yazdi Synagogue. Additionally, a street in the Ramot D neighborhood of Jerusalem bears his name. Annually, during his memorial, members of the Yazd community sing a song composed by his son, Rabbi Shmuel Shraga.

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