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Leaf of Torah novellae by the Malach Rabbi Raphael Birdugo, autograph. 18th century. - A page of Torah novellae by the Malach Rabbi Raphael Berdugo, autograph. 18th century. A single page containing novellae on Tractate Chullin, folios 2b–14, with brief insights on each page of the Gemara. Autograph with erasures and corrections, and signed twice in his own handwriting—at the end of the responsum and again on the back page. These novellae date from his very youth, and at the end of the page the Malach Raphael wrote in his own hand: ”That which I innovated in my youthful days for children like myself, the humble Raphael, may he be protected.” [1] folded leaf. 29X21 cm. Moderate condition. Tears with loss. Rabbi Raphael Birdugo (1749–1822), one of the sages of Meknes, son of Rabbi Mordechai (the Marbitz), and grandson of Rabbi Shmuel Ibn Rucham (the Mashbir). He was a disciple of his brother Rabbi Yekutiel (and sat with him in judgment). Known as “HaMalach Raphael.” He was appointed to judge together with his brother in 1786. It was related: “It was heard by ear that the Rabbi never experienced a seminal emission in his life… and when his time came, he invited his relatives as a groom, and called for the artisans to make him a holy ark in which to be buried, for he revealed to his people that he was worthy to be buried in an ark since in all his days he never had even an involuntary emission. And so it was that he was buried in his ark, and a year after his passing, his holy ark was removed from his grave due to a royal decree, and they saw that his face shone like the sun, as if he were lying asleep on his bed.” (Malchei Rabbanan, quoting Ot Brit Kodesh of Rabbi Yosef Knafo). Because of his immense diligence, at night he would tie his sidelock to a rope, with cold water beneath his feet, so that if sleep came upon him he would immediately awaken. He authored many works: She’elot U’Teshuvot Mishpatim Yesharim (Krakow, 1896) Sharvit HaZahav on the Talmud (Jerusalem, 1978) Rav Peninim (Casablanca, 1969) Torot Emet on the Tur (Meknes, 1939) Rokach Markachat (internal edition by Rabbi Mori Amar) Shelal Rav on the Haggadah (Lod, 1992) Kitzur Takkanot Chachmei Kashtilia with his commentary (in Takkanot Chachmei Fez, ed. Rabbi Mori Amar) Chesed VeEmet (derashot) Commentaries on Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat Mesamchei Lev on the Torah Simple interpretations on Tanach, including Kuntres Ma’aneh Lashon on Rashi and the Ra’em Notes on Responsa Rashba and Tashbetz Collections of laws and customs of shochatim Lashon Limudim commentary on Tanach in Arabic Kaf Zahav – an ethical poem in alphabetical acrostic. He left four sons: Rabbi Maimon [the Mabi”n], Rabbi Mordechai (both served as dayanim), Rabbi Avraham, and Rabbi Meir Hy”d. Rabbi Raphael Birdugo [1749–1822], known as “HaMalach Raphael”, was born to Rabbi Mordechai in Meknes, Morocco. Orphaned as a youth, he studied Torah amidst poverty. He was appointed Av Beit Din in his hometown and was accepted throughout all the communities of Morocco as the posek hador. He was known as: “The light of the exile, the wondrous one of the Sanhedrin, the great Gaon, fortress and tower, the western lamp, our master the Malach Raphael Birdugo” (from the title page of his Mei Menuchot). He enacted many takkanot and composed numerous works, some of which remain unpublished. See Malchei Rabbanan, Yosef ben Yitzchak ben Naim, pp. 126b–127.