Hacham Zebulun Shoshana


Hacham Zebulun Shoshana

Date of Birth: (0)
Date of Death: 8th of Tishrei, 5747 (1986)
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A Short Tribute

Hacham Zebulun Shoshana was born early in the 20th century to Hashiva and Hacham Abraham in the city of Marrakesh, Morocco. His father was one of the leading community officers of his time, a man of wealth renowned for his righteousness. His parents raised orphans in their home.

As a young man, Hacham Zebulun Shoshana attended Hacham Eliezer Halevy's yeshiva in Marrakesh, studying Halakha with Hacham Mordecai Corcos. With time, Hacham Zebulun Shoshana stood at the helm of the senior yeshiva of Marrakesh and became famous for his public sermons.

In 1951, Hacham Zebulun Shoshana moved to Casablanca, where he taught for some fifteen years. In 1964, he immigrated to Israel, settling in the town of Kiryat Gat.

Hacham Zebulun Shoshana passed away on 8 Tishrei, 5747 (1986) and was buried on Jerusalem's Mount of Olives.

Hacham Zebulun Shoshana authored Mateh Zebulun – commentaries and sermons, and Kodesh Hilulim – on the Psalms.

A few quotes from the Rabbi on Redemption of Israel
in which he teaches that charity indicates unity, and that it is fitting that one individual to rescue another

Greatest is charity, in that it advances the redemption". The explanation is that the charity done by the People of Israel among themselves indicates their unity, otherwise why would a person give their portion to someone who has not worked for it? Because they is part of their fellow people and shares in their substance, they being one in spirit. As our Sages, of blessed memory, said in Tractate Pesachim, page 118, "The Holy One, blessed be He, said…'It is fitting for the unique (individual) to save the unique'. If so, when the People of Israel are united they have unique value, so it is fitting that the individual be quick to their rescue; within this lies the reason for the hastening of the Redemption of Israel.

Hacham Zebulun Shoshana, Mateh Zebulun On the Torah, Part 1, p. 215, published by the author, 1979 From 'The Daily Sage'
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"It is our custom to light a yahrzeit candle in honor of the memory of the Sages, as it is said: “the life breath of man is the lamp of the Lord” (Proverbs 20:27). And it is good to add from the light of the Torah to the light of the candle, as it is said “For the commandment is a lamp, the teaching is a light” (Proverbs 6:23). And it is good to increase the teaching of the Sage on the anniversary of his death, as Rabbi Yochanan based on the teachings of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai said, “Each scholar whose sayings are taught in this world, his lips speak from the grave (Bechorot 31B).”

“Even if all of the skies are a blank parchment, and all human beings are clerks, and all of the forests are quills, we would never be able to write down what our Sages have taught us. But even a few righteous are also good, and thanks to the sacred Torah and the teachings that Israel will learn in the Sage’s name on the anniversary of his death, the Holy One Blessed be He, will share our part with them, and we will never be ashamed because of our faith in the Holy One Blessed be He, and on his great benevolence and truth will we lean, for He hides his abundant goodness for those who are worthy and revere Him.”

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Rabbi Chananaia son of Akashia stated, God wanted to grant merits to Israel, therefore he gave them many laws and commandments as it states, "Because God wants righteousness he increased the amount of Torah and splendor." (Isaiah 42:21).