Joseph Ergas

Joseph Ergas
Born	Joseph ben Emanuel Ergas 1685 Livorno
Died	1730 Livorno
Occupation	Kabbalist
Notable work	Shomer Emunim (book)
Children	6

Rabbi Joseph ben Emanuel Ergas also known as Joseph Ergas (Hebrew: יוסף אירגס; c. 1685– 3 Sivan 5490 / 1730) was an Italian rabbi and kabbalist, one of the leading critics of Nehemiah Hayyun^[1] and Sabbateanism in general.^[2]

Biography

He was born in Livorno in 1685 to Rabbi Emanuel Ergas, head of the community. His maternal grandfather was Moses Pinheiro, a devoted follower of Shabbatai Zevi. He studied Torah in the city's yeshiva under Rabbi Samuel De Pas. He studied Kabbalah for seven weeks under Rabbi Benjamin Kohen Vitale,^[3] a student of Rabbi Moses ben Mordecai Zacuto. In 1704 he married Sarah, who bore him six children, three boys and three girls.^[4]

Later, he settled in Pisa where he established a yeshiva called "Noah Shalom." He also founded two charities in the city: "Mohar batulot" and "Malbish aryamin". Upon returning to Livorno he was appointed head of the community.

He was famous for his vast Torah knowledge and many rabbis from Italy and France would send him questions which he would answer clearly and concisely. His most prominent student was Rabbi Malachi ben Jacob ha-Kohen, author of the encyclopedic work Yad Malachi.

He became famous for his important kabbalistic work Shomer Emunim, in which he clarifies the truths of Kabbalah. The work is structured as a dialogue between two characters. Through this work he debates with Rabbi Emanuel Chai Ricci who supported the literal interpretation of Tzimtzum.^[5] His work is considered a foundational text in Kabbalah and the most prominent representative of the non-literal view of Tzimtzum.

To distinguish it from the work Shomer Emunim written by Rabbi Aharon Roth, Ergas' work is usually referred to as Shomer Emunim HaKadmon.

He also wrote a work of Jewish law called Divrei Yosef.

He passed away in Livorno on 3 Sivan 5490 (1730) at around age forty-five.

His fight against Sabbateanism

In 1710 the famous Sabbatean Nehemiah Hayyun came to Livorno attempting to get Ergas' approbation on his book, but Ergas recognized his true character and expelled him from the city.^[6] Hayyun went to Amsterdam and printed scathing books of defamation against Ergas. Ergas responded with two polemical books called Tokhakhat Meguleh and HaTzad Nachash which he printed in London in 1715.^[7]

In 1730, during the controversy against Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, he sent letters to Rabbi Isaiah Bassan, Luzzatto's rabbi, in order to question his character, but did not have a chance to issue a final ruling before his death.^[8]

His works

• Divrei Yosef, questions and answers, Livorno 1742
• Shomer Emunim, introduction to the teachings of Kabbalah, Amsterdam 1736
• Minchat Yosef, Kabbalah, Livorno 1752
• Mevo Petachim, introduction and rules for the works of the Ari, Berlin 1927
• Tokhakhat Magulah and HaTzad Nachash, against Nehemiah Hayyun and Sabbateanism, London 1715

References

1. Graetz, Heinrich (1895). History of the Jews vol. v. p. 227. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
2. "Ergas Joseph ben Emanuel". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
3. Ergas, Joseph. Shomer Emunim (in Hebrew). Introduction.
4. "Hacham Joseph Ergas : HeHaCham HaYomi (The Daily Sage)". Hyomi. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
5. Fraenkel, Avinoam (22 May 2022). "Rabbi Joseph Ergas- Shomer Emunim: An Interview with Avinoam Fraenkel". Kavvanah blog. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
6. "Biblicalcyclopedia". Retrieved 19 March 2024.
7. "Tockakhat Meguleh". Hebrew Books. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
8. Sclar, David. "'Like Iron to a Magnet': Moses Hayim Luzzatto's Quest for Providence". CUNY. Retrieved 19 March 2024.