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5 min readThe Letter, the Maggid, and the Halakhic Question
The third and final episode of this mini-series on Rav Yosef Karo and Sefer HaMaggid opens with the famous letter printed as an introduction to the Maggid Meisharim — the so-called "Shavuos night letter" that many readers know from the Shlah and from the custom of staying up all night on Shavuos. Rabbi Moshé Kravetz explains that this letter was not written by Rav Yosef Karo himself, but by Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz, the author of Lecha Dodi. It describes the first time Alkabetz witnessed the maggid's appearance, which took place in Salonica in Adar 1533, just a few months after the revelations began. The letter was sent to a group of kabbalists who had not been present, as a reminder and a warning: you have been given an extraordinary spiritual level, but you must act on it — you must go up to Eretz Yisrael.
The Setting and the Circle
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:06) **Introduction and Housekeeping** - Host Mathew Windstein opens the episode with sponsorship announcements and logistical notes.
- 2 (01:51) **Introduction of the Episode's Focus** - Rabbi Kravetz joins to conclude the mini-series on Sefer HaMaggid.
- 3 (03:12) **The Shavuos Night Letter: Background and Content** - Rabbi Kravetz explains the letter's history, context, and the dramatic events it records.
- 4 (14:07) **Rav Shlomo Alkabetz: The Architect Behind the Scenes** - The discussion shifts to Alkabetz's broader role and influence.
- 5 (18:37) **Identifying the Group at the Tikkun Leil Shavuos** - Rabbi Kravetz reveals a list of probable participants at the original event.
- 6 (26:35) **Shlomo Molcho: The Martyr and the Maggid** - The episode addresses the connection between Shlomo Molcho and Sefer HaMaggid.
- 7 (30:48) **Halachic Issues: Lo BaShamayim Hi** - The conversation turns to the thorny halachic problem of a Maggid dictating Jewish law.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
#477
Rav Yosef Karo and Sefer HaMaggid: Episode 3.
> Episode sponsored by Ari Elias-Bachrach with thanks to hakadosh baruch hu for answering our prayers and returning our brothers and sisters to us
> Rabbi Moshe Kravetz is now publishing a new annotated edition of Sforno on Iyov, republishing Amar HaGaon, and planning a new annotated edition of Sforno on Tehilim. If you wish to support his work, please contact him by email [email protected] or donate through the link below [please specify: "for Sforno"]. Dedications are available. https://thedonorsfund.org/donate/american-friends-of-dvar-avraham-inc/113727415
> To purchase the new Ahavat Shalom edition of Sefer HaMaggid: https://judaicaplaza.com/products/8494326
> To purchase Mor Altshuler's bio of Rav Yosef Karo: https://taupress.co.il/shop/all_published/%d7%97%d7%99%d7%99-%d7%9e%d7%a8%d7%9f-%d7%99%d7%95%d7%a1%d7%a3-%d7%a7%d7%90%d7%a8%d7%95/
> To purchase the Shazar bio of Rav Yosef Karo: https://www.shazar.org.il/product/%D7%A8-%D7%99%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%A3-%D7%A7%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%95/
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