Hacham Moshe Maimaran


Hacham Moshe Maimaran

Date of Birth: 5499 (1738)
Date of Death: 7th of Av, 5541 (1780)
The Daily Sage, a database of Jewish Spanish sages
A Short Tribute

Hacham Moshe Maimaran, son of Abraham, was born in Meknes, Morocco, in 1738. He studied Torah with his father and with Hacham Shlomo Toledano, but his main teacher was his paternal grandfather, Hacham Yaacov Toledano [known as the MAHARI"T].

Hacham Moshe Maimaran married Blaidah and the couple had three sons, all of whom died at an early age.

While still a young man, Hacham Moshe Maimaran was appointed as a dayan in Meknes and headed a yeshiva which initially had no permanent place. The sages of his city ruled that a new synagogue be built in his home, where he raised numerous students, including Hacham Haviv Toledano, Hacham Yehiel Ben Zeno and Hacham Shlomo Maimaran.

Hacham Moshe Maimaran passed away on 7 Av, 5540 (1780). He authored many books on Talmudic tractates, on the Prophets and Scrolls, on the Tor and on Maimonides, as well as many sermons that he would preach in synagogue. Many of his manuscripts, found in various depositories, were published some 250 years after his death and can be found in the following books: Sefer Ha'Ma'alot, Midrasho shel Moshe, and Hidushei Rabeinu.

"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”. 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”.

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.”

The Daily Sage - An online database of Sephardic Jewish Sages

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."