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Fifty-fifth Yahrtzeit: 18th of Cheshvan 5785:
A Servant of Hashem — HaRav Refael Baruch Toledano zt"l
By R' Yitzchok Toledano
HaRav Toledano is in the center
Part II
This article was published in the print edition in 1993.
For Part I of this series click here.
The great gaon, R' Refael Boruch Toledano would sign his letters with the words: "eved Hashem." This simple description defined his worldly mission and marked his every deed. The members of his community also viewed him in this light, for he devoted himself to their spiritual and physical needs so selflessly.
He resided in Eretz Yisroel for only six years, yet in that brief time her inhabitants learned to recognize and appreciate his great worth.
The Joy of Doing a Mitzva
During the final year of his life, when he received his lulav and esrog, he was so overjoyed at having merited to perform so precious a mitzva that he began to dance.
On Erev Yom Kippur of that same year, he told his congregation: "If Yom Kippur fell only once during a person's lifetime, how he would yearn for that day and how joyous he would be when it finally arrived. We merit to observe Yom Kippur every year. Yet this should not diminish our joy. Instead, It should increase it."
The Talmud Torah school in Meknes
A Borrowed Tallis
When he grew old, he would spend the Yomim Noraim in Shearis Yosef. One year, prior to Kol Nidrei, he was told that his tallis could not be found, and that he had been given a different one. He was so upset by this mishap, that he weepingly said: "How can I pray to the Master of the Universe in a borrowed tallis?"
As he was crying, someone found his tallis and brought it to him. Lovingly, R' Refael wrapped the tallis around his shoulders, and began to dance ecstatically.
To Clothe the Needy
A man of action, he established many philanthropic institutions, and called them by names which expressed their explicit functions, such as Bikur Cholim, Malbish Arumim and Hachnosas Kallah.
Malbish Arumim was founded when he visited a certain Moroccan village in honor of a family wedding. That night, when he lay down to sleep, he felt cold. His wife brought him another blanket, but he continued to suffer. Only after receiving a third one, did he fall asleep. The next day, at the Shabbos morning service, he told the congregation: "Heaven is hinting to me that I should establish a clothing fund, for if I was so cold, imagine how the poor must suffer." Then and there, the gemach was founded.
Ma'aser Money
He always tried to do mitzvos and good deeds. One Rosh Hashanah, he delivered a sermon in Shearis Yosef about the value of donating tithes. At the close of the sermon he announced: "I will bless anyone who has undertaken to give tithes." A young man rose, and said that he had undertaken to give tithes, and R' Refael blessed him. Afterwards, all the members of the yeshiva followed suit, and a long line of students, who wished to receive R' Refael's blessing, formed. Quite soon, the line grew so long, that he had to make general blessings, and not private ones.
HaRav Toledano
He Doesn't Respond When Insulted
His son, R' Yosef shlita relates: "My father once hosted a pauper for an extended period of time. During one meal, the pauper began to curse him. The members of our household were enraged, but my father said to them: "I forbid you to harm him. If he derives enjoyment from insulting me, let him do so." And he continued to be cursed, without responding."
A Genteel Pauper
One time, it became known that he was sending money to a young man from a good family who lived in a distant city. He would always tell the messenger who delivered the money that he was returning a debt. However the young man himself revealed that Rabbenu was sending him money, because he knew that he came from a good family and would not resort to begging.
The young man's neighbors knew nothing about his plight, and R' Refael took care to send the money in a discreet manner. He did not suffice with doing chesed in his hometown, but reached out to needy Jews wherever they lived.
His Words Are Heeded
If he saw that his words were not being heeded by his audience, he would shed tears, while speaking. The audience would be startled, and would declare: "Whatever Rabbenu asks of us, we will do."
He would reply: "I am crying because I know that were I truly G-d-fearing, my words would be heeded. If they are not heeded, it is a sign that I must do teshuva for my lack of yiras Shomayim." These words would always make a deep impression on the congregation, who would immediately take his words to heart.
A Living Lion
When he saw that he wasn't being obeyed, he would take full responsibility for the matter.
An acquaintance relates: "One morning, he arose angry and despondent. When I asked, what had happened, he replied: `Yesterday, I succumbed, and was unable to withstand the pressure of the heads of the community who opposed my plans to make an important amendment. At night, I saw a lion in my dreams. It opened its mouth to swallow me, and I became terror stricken. Suddenly, my illustrious father, the gaon, R' Yaakov Toledano, former Ravad of the city, appeared and took my hand. He then promised to pass the amendment in the morning. Apparently, the lion appeared to me, because I was not strong as a lion.' With that, he rose, and headed for the communal offices, in order to continue his battle."
Greatness and glory, courage, strength and yirah blended together in perfect harmony to form the brilliant personality of the exemplary leader, R' Refael Boruch Toledano. His memoirs are his words; his words are his memoirs. He, a living lion, and the memoirs of the living lion, live on in our hearts, and live on in the soul of he whose hilula (yahrtzeit) falls on the 18th of Cheshvan.
These articles were gleaned from a book which appeared in print and was prepared by his disciple and relative, R' Yitzchok Toledano, a rabbi in the Bak'a quarter of Jerusalem.
The Grave of HaRav Toledano
Divrei Torah of R' Refael
"Dovid Hamelech says: "I will walk in your truth. Most people think that their way is the true one, but Dovid Hamelech was interested in Hashem's truth, which is the only one.
"One thing I have asked from Hashem, that I shall seek." Dovid promised that he would make only one request: to sit in the House of Hashem all the days of his life. That is a request which can truly satisfy one.
"Heal us and we shall be healed." The cure Hashem offers is absolute, and will surely heal. The cures of doctors are not definite. Sometimes they cure; sometimes they harm.
Before Whom must you give an accounting? A person accounts for his deeds in Heaven. However, like Dovid Hamelech, he decides his own sentence. Nosson the prophet asked him: "How should one who has taken the pauper's lamb be punished?"
Dovid replied: "Let him be killed."
Nosson rejoined: "You have issued your own sentence."
Even a seventy year sentence of one who cries Amen with all his might is annulled, because Amen is uttered totally for the sake of Hashem, so that His Name will be sanctified in the world. Such a person is concerned for the Shechina, and not for himself, and that is why Hashem annuls his sentence and lengthens his days.
"Hashem Melech, Hashem moloch; Hashem yimloch le'olam va'ed." This verse comprises a chapter in faith in G-d. It teaches that we believe that Hashem is the King, in the present, because we have seen his dominion the past. It is on this that we base our belief that He will rule for eternity.
The fear of G-d is the treasure of the Holy One Blessed be He. It is guarded in his storehouse, and He prides in it. He writes down the name of every one who is G-d fearing, because everything is in the hands of Heaven, accept the fear of G-d.
The Biography of R' Refael Boruch Toledano
R' Refael Boruch Toledano was great in mussar, thoroughly versed in all aspects of Torah and Kabalah, a model leader, a man of perfect qualities and a true wager of Hashem's battles. Even in Morocco, he was considered one of world Jewry's greatest rabbonim.
He began his brilliant rabbinic career in the Moroccan city of Met'or, and was a unique personality, and proud transmitter of the legacy of his illustrious family.
In every generation, Moroccan Jewry gave rise to great Torah scholars who illuminated the eyes of the entire Nation. Despite the suffering and persecutions Moroccan Jewry endured—or perhaps because of them— they merited to produce remarkable leaders, imbued with the spirit of G-d. These leaders led their flock during their lives, and bequeathed their spiritual legacies to the generations which followed them, and to all Israel.
During the past century, Moroccan Jewry was devastated by many upheavals. These were primarily the results of the breakup of her Jewish communities and the dispersal of their populace throughout new cities. The Torah observant sector of Moroccan Jewry also suffered from this phenomenon, but to a lesser degree than its non observant counterpart.
The reason Torah Jewry remained stauncher than the general Jewish populace, was that great Torah giants still guided them. One family, in particular, gave rise to generations of great rabbis—and that was the Toledano family of Meknes. This glorious dynasty was founded by R' Yosef, Ish Toledo, who was called hamekubal haEloki by those who esteemed him.
Generations of Rabbonim
The founder of the dynasty and his son, R' Daniel, the head of the sages of Kastilia, were the leaders of the Jews who had been expelled from Spain during the Inquisition. They changed their family name to Toledano, which means "Toledo-No" in Spanish.
R' Daniel left the Turkish city of Salonika, and moved to the Moroccan city of Fez, where he spread Torah and served as a rabbi. It was at this point, that the rabbinic dynasty of the Toledano family was established.
The Toledano family was well known in Morocco, and was even highly esteemed by its royalty. In unbroken succession, the descendants of the Toledano family occupied positions as great rabbis and leaders. Most of them presided in Meknes. Some of them wrote famous Torah works such Maharchat and Maharit, and were given illustrious titles, such as "avi ha'hora'ah bemaarav" and "gaon hageonim."
R' Yaakov Toledano was appointed Ravad of the city of Marakesh when he was very young. He was awarded this position because of his brilliance and vast knowledge. Soon afterwards, he was invited to preside as chief rabbi of Meknes. R' Yaakov was beloved and admired by all of Morocco's Jews. In 5648, his son Boruch was born. He was given the additional name of Refael when he fell ill in Eretz Yisroel.
His Youth
Even as a child his greatness was evident, and stories about the amazing Boruch Toledano which illustrate his deep yearning for Torah, abound. He derived much of his Torah knowledge from his mentor and private tutor, one of Morocco's most prestigious dayanim, as well as from his illustrious father, with whom he studied, "like one of the chabura," from the time he reached bar mitzvah age. In time, his father began to rely on the young Boruch's halachic decisions, and permitted him to answer questions in his stead.
Some of these decisions appeared in print even then, and for a while R' Boruch helped publish his father's Torah works.
Right after his marriage to the daughter of R' Shalom Amar he was appointed to the position of dayan, even though he was quite young at the time. Not long afterwards, he became av beis din of Meknes. He was appointed to this position by his father, who was very ill at the time, and who called him Yoreh Yoreh Yadin Yadin in the presence of the heads of the entire community. When his father died, he replaced him as the leader of the Jews of Meknes.
He Devotes Himself to Chinuch
His devotion, dedication, sense of responsibility, unique behavior, as well as the many amendments he enacted as rav of his community, became known throughout the land, and many began to marvel over the remarkable young rav who displayed great spiritual qualities, and imbued the functions of Ravad and mara de'asra with so unique a character.
There was no facet of Jewish life in which he was not involved. Education, hachnosas kallah, modesty, social welfare, Torah dissemination, yeshiva education, were all areas which benefited from his deep concern.
He shouldered the burdens of the community, and could not stand idly by when a Jew needed help. He was a merciful father, who cared for the poor and the downtrodden. Yet he was so modest, that he viewed himself as merely a brother to the needy.
He resided in Meknes, yet spread his net throughout Morocco, and established charitable institutions such as Bikur Cholim, Malbish Arumim, Mohar Habesulos and Moshav Zekainim in Marakesh, Rabat, Tangier, and Casablanca. He also helped build mikvehs and Talmudei Torah throughout his land. He himself was rosh yeshiva of a number of yeshivos, and he would journey from place to place, delivering shiurim. He even made special efforts to draw the non observant closer to Torah, and established a special framework called Shuvu Bonim.
Brave as a Lion
Despite the fact that he was soft and gentle, when necessary he was brave as a lion, and waged fearless battles against Hashem's enemies, opposing anyone who sought to introduce foreign ideas into Israel's vineyard. For many years, Moroccan Jewry recalled the steadfast war he conducted against Kol Yisrael Chaveirim—the Alliance Israelite Universelle. One time, he made a great impression by appearing at the gate of one of Kol Yisrael's schools, and protesting their activities.
His battle against the haskalah, and against those who sought to breach the walls of sanctity, found particular expression in his opposition to mixed weddings, which he of course refused to attend even when they were held by the city's notables, who had invited him to preside or recite a blessing under the chuppah.
Of course, he thwarted the efforts of the representatives of Youth Aliya who arrived in Morocco and caused spiritual havoc wherever they went. Any Youth Aliya agent who came to Morocco was bound to be met by Rabbenu, who would travel long distances to thwart their activities.
Like an Angel
R' Refael Boruch Toledano was like an angel of Hashem in his sanctity, purity, piety and spiritual greatness. He cleaved to Hashem with every fiber of his soul, and was ascetic in a manner unfamiliar to Moroccan Jews. He slept very little, and his day was so filled with avodas Hashem, that anyone attempting to glimpse his daily behavior was overwhelmed.
Watching him recite Tikkun Chatzos, was a spiritually ennobling experience. His face aglow as he prayed, he would weep with awe inspiring intensity. He would remain awake until dawn, when he would don his tallis and tefillin, and head for the synagogue.
People would make special efforts to rise at that hour in order to see him. Even the gentiles were awed by the sight of the Jewish muchtar, who walked through the streets at that pre-dawn hour. "And all the peoples of the earth shall see that G- d's Name shall be called through you, and they shall fear you."
His prayers were the epitome of avoda. He prayed with such devotion that he seemed to hover above the world, in ecstasy. Despite the fact that he lingered at his prayers, he did not want to burden the public, and would often start to pray after the congregation had begun its service, so that he could recite every single word slowly and with intention, without forcing others to wait for him. However, he also demanded that the congregation pronounce each word of their prayers correctly, and they respond with Amen to the blessings. Although his congregation assumed that it was permissible to speak during the special prayers at the end of the service, he would fine anyone who spoke during such times.
From dawn until midnight, he was immersed in Torah, either studying alone, or with a chavrusa, or answering questions, or delivering lessons.
Understanding of the Needs of the Poor
R' Refael Boruch Toledano was a tremendous baal chesed, and the father and patron of everyone in need. He would go out of his way to provide for his fellow abundantly, but was very stinting with himself, explaining that others required more than he did. He lived in utmost frugality, and shunned wealth and all its trappings.
Whenever he had to help his fellow, or whenever he heard, even indirectly, that someone was in need, he would forgo his dignity, and personally approach Morocco's philanthropists for help. Whenever possible, he would conduct appeals for various causes which he felt would benefit his people. The heartbroken, the downtrodden, the needy all knew that they would find succor at the home of Reb Boruch, and all knew his address.
Aliya to Eretz Yisroel
For fifty years, he devoted himself to the needs of the Jews of Morocco. At the end of that period, he decided that it was time to go up to the Holy Land. When he was over seventy years old, he went. It was 5722 (1962), and by circuitous routes, he reached Eretz Yisroel and settled in Bnei Brak.
As soon as he arrived in Eretz Yisroel, to the delight of his thousands of students already living there, he became known as one of its greatest and most unique Torah leaders. In Eretz Yisroel he continued to observe his unique customs, and to serve as Moroccan Jewry's leader. He participated in all religious campaigns in the Holy Land, and dedicated himself, with every vestige of his strength, towards disseminating Torah among the younger generation.
As the beloved rav of many, he was often invited to visit settlements outside of Bnei Brak. Despite his old age, he accepted these invitations eagerly, and would tour the Land, spreading Torah to its inhabitants.
R' [Refael] Boruch played a pivotal role in the founding of yeshivos for Oriental Jews, and would encourage young bnei Torah from Oriental descent to devote all their time to Torah study, and to become disseminators of Torah, and rabbonim. Most of Israel's rabbonim and roshei yeshiva from oriental backgrounds owe him a deep debt of gratitude, for it was he who inspired them to remain within the yeshiva world. His sons and grandchildren are following in his footsteps, and today head important yeshivos in the Land. Some of their yeshivas were founded under R' Refael's initiative, and as a result of the financial help he extended them.
He remained in Bnei Brak until his final day, and was considered one of its greatest Torah sages. His strength and energy amazed all, and were considered miraculous. The entire city esteemed and admired the great godol who dwelled in its midst.
On the 18th of Cheshvan, he was summoned to the yeshiva shel ma'alah, leaving behind an illustrious family and many disciples.
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