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.
Travels
Rabbi Shlomo Malcho reached Eretz Yisroel and preached at the gates of Yerushalaim.
Sermons
Where ever Rabbi Shlomo Molcho would go he would give fiery speeches to the masses. The goal of his speeches were to awaken his listeners to take actions that would hasten the redemption. Rabbi Shlomo Molcho would preach about doing Tesuva, about the nearness of the final redemption urging people to fast, do Tikunim and to pray to Hashem with great devotion.
Both Jews and Christians attended these sermons. Often Rabbi Shlomo Molcho would discuss the upcoming fall of Rome and Christianity and the revival of Judea. Many listeners believed his words and anticipated their actualization.
Rome
Met the pope and tried convincing him that the redemption of the Jewish Nation was here. In Rome, Rabbi Shlomo Molcho lived amongst the paupers on the Tibur bridge for the period of one month. He prophesied about a flood in Rome and an earthquake in Portugal, both of which came true.
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.