Hacham Zebulun Shoshana

- 8 Tishrei 5747      

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Hacham Zebulun Shoshana

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.

Mateh Zebulun On the Torah, Part 1, p. 215, published by the author, 1979