Rabbi Shlomo Molcho
(Hebrew: שלמה מולכו / Life: 1501 Lisbon - 13 December 1532 / Other Names: Solomon Molcho, Diogo Pires / Spelling: Malcho, Shelomo Molkho )
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Early Life
Shlomo Malcho was born in 1501 to a family of marranos in Lisbon, Portugal. His original Christian name was Diogo Pires. Aleady recognized as a prodigy in his youth, Shlomo Molcho's mastery of various languages and royal social bearings secured for him at the young age of 22 a position as scribe in the royal court of Portugal.
Dovid Reuvani
After Dovid Reuvani appeared in Portugal, Shlomo Malcho started experiencing frightening and astounding dreams.
Bris Milah
In his dreams Shlomo Malcho was commanded to circumcise himself. That night he ahead and preformed a Bris Milah on himself with no one around. Despite his almost complete lack of even the most basic elements of Judaism, he awoke from his circumcision with deep and broad knowledge of the Hebrew language and the Holy Torah.
Turkey
After circumcising himself, Diogo Pires changed his name to Shlomo Malcho and left Portugal headed towards Salonica. Upon reaching his destination he joined the Yeshiva of Rabbi Yosef Taitazak who taught him Kabbalah. While in Turkey he met up with Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz and Rabbi Yosef Karo both who whom he managed to impress.
Books
His books were not reprinted often.
Sefer Hamefoar
Kabalistic interpretations of the Torah. Talks about the ten Sefirot. This book shows the complete mastery that Rabbi Shlomo Molcho had over the entire Tanach.
Chayas Kanah
Describes visions seen by the author.
Personal Articles
A number of Rabbi Shlomo Molcho's personal items are today displayed at Jewish Museum of Prague. These include his robe and flag. These were originally given over to Rabbi Yoslimon when he met with Shlomo Molcho before his meeting with King Carol. From these items were sent to the city of Raznishbork and were then moved to Prague where they were stored in the Pinchas Shul. These included his Tzitzis, robes and two flags. It seems that the Tzitzis and one flag were lost over the years.
Tzitzis
In the laws of Tzizis the Magen Avraham brings down the custom of Rabbi Shlomo Molcho of having the amount of wrappings that total the numerical value of the Shem Havaya. This is done by wrapping it ten times around the first set of knots, then five, six and ten. This tradition is practiced by some Sefardim until this day. Rabbi Shlomo Malcho also had his Tzizis strings dyed green. In his commentary on the Rosh, the Tosfes Yom Tov brings down this tradition in the name of Rabbi Shlomo Malch. He then mentions that he saw Rabbi Shlomo Malchos Tzitzis with his own eyes on display in the Pinchas Shul of Prague where he would study before he was appointed Av Bais Din.
The Tzizis are made from silk with a yellowish greenish tint. The strings are dyed green. They were brought to the Pinchos Shul from the city of Raznishbork.
Flags
On the flags were inscribed the letters Macabi that are and acronym for MI Kamocha Belim Hashem. A similar inscription was carried on the flags of the Macabees.
Hillula
Yortzite of Rabbi Shlomo Molcho is on the 5th of Teves.