The Letter of Rasham to Rabbi Yosef Taitatzak

מִכְתַּב רַשַׁ״ם אֶל רַבִּי יוֹסֵף טַיְטַצַּק

Now I have come to relate the reason for my departure, that I departed from the land of Portugal (עַתָּה בָּאתִי לְהַגִּיד סִבַּת נְסִיעָתִי שֶׁנָּסַעְתִּי מֵאֶרֶץ פּוֹרְטוּגָאל). And it was after the arrival at the royal court of Portugal of the man—the mighty, valiant, pious one, our master Rabbi David, called HaReuveni (וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי שֶׁהִגִּיעַ הָאִישׁ הַגִּבּוֹר חַיִל הַחָסִיד מוֹהַר״ר דָּוִד הַמְּכוּנֶה הָרְאוּבֵנִי לַחֲצַר בֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ מִפּוֹרְטוּגָאל)—that, in a night vision, I saw awesome sights, each different from the other, from which I was greatly alarmed (בַּחֲלוֹם הַלַּיְלָה רָאִיתִי מַרְאוֹת נוֹרָאוֹת מְשֻׁנּוֹת זוֹ מִזּוֹ אֲשֶׁר נִבְהַלְתִּי מְאֹד מֵהֶם); and the telling of them would take much time (וְיַאֲרֶךְ זְמַן רַב בְּסִפּוּרָן), as I shall be permitted to recount them (כַּאֲשֶׁר יִינָתֵן לִי רְשׁוּת לְהַגִּידָן).

And the end purpose of these visions: they commanded me that I perform circumcision (וּתְכֵלֶת הַמַּרְאוֹת הָאֵלּוּ: מְצַוִּים עָלַי שֶׁאֶעֱשֶׂה בְּרִית מִילָה). And each and every day I walk before our master Rabbi David-may his Rock guard him and give him life-and I tell him all that I saw in my dream to know his counsel in the matter (וּבְכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם אֲנִי מִתְהַלֵּךְ לִפְנֵי כַּמְהוּר״ר דָּוִד יִשְׁמְרֵהוּ צוּרוֹ וִיחַיֵּהוּ, וּמַגִּיד לוֹ כָּל אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתִי בַחֲלוֹמִי לָדַעַת עֲצָתוֹ בָּזֶה), for it occurred to me that on account of him these things were shown to me (כִּי עָלָה עַל דַּעְתִּי, כִּי בְּסִיבָּתוֹ הָיוּ נִרְאִים לִי הַדְּבָרִים הָהֵם). And he would conceal and cover it from me and say: Of all this I know nothing (וְהוּא הָיָה מַעֲלִים וּמְכַסֶּה מִמֶּנִּי וְאוֹמֵר: מִכָּל זֶה לֹא יָדַעְתִּי מְאוּמָה), and who am I that I should be worthy that through me there should be shown to you the visions which you see? (וְכִי מִי אֲנִי לִהְיוֹת רָאוּי שֶׁעַל יָדִי יֵרָאוּ לְךָ הַמַּרְאוֹת אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה רוֹאֶה).

And I said in my heart: perhaps he does not wish to reveal the matter to me until I perform circumcision (וְאָמַרְתִּי אֶל לִבִּי, אוּלַי אֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה לְגַלּוֹת לִי הַדָּבָר עַד שֶׁאֶעֱשֶׂה בְּרִית מִילָה). And I went from him, and in the night I performed the circumcision by myself alone, and no man was with me (וְהָלַכְתִּי מֵאִתּוֹ וּבַלַּיְלָה עָשִׂיתִי הַבְּרִית עַל יָדִי לְבַדִּי, וְאֵין אִישׁ אִתִּי). And the Holy One, Blessed be He, for the sake of His Name, helped me (וְהקב״ה לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ עֲזָרָנִי), even though I felt pain and anguish and I fainted (אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁצַּעַר וְכְאֵב הִרְגַּשְׁתִּי וְנִתְעַלַּפְתִּי), the blood was flowing like a gushing spring, overpowering (הַדָּם הָיָה שׁוֹתֵת כְּמַעְיָן נוֹבֵעַ הַמִּתְגַּבֵּר). And the Merciful One, the faithful Healer, healed me in a short time, it would not be believed if it were told (וְהָרַחֲמָן הָרוֹפֵא הַנֶּאֱמָן רִפָּא אוֹתִי בִּמְעַט זְמַן, לֹא יֵאָמֵן כִּי יְסֻפָּר).

And after I rose from my bed, I went to our master Rabbi David, may his Rock protect and sustain him, and I said (וְאַחַר שֶׁעָמַדְתִּי מִמִּטָּתִי הָלַכְתִּי לִמְהַר״ר דָּוִד יִצּוּ״, וְאָמַרְתִּי): My master, speak with me your words and do not hide from me, for I have already fulfilled the command of my Creator, exalted be He, and behold I am circumcised like one of the children of Israel (אֲדוֹנִי, דַּבֵּר עִמִּי דְבָרֶיךָ וְאַל תְּכַסֶּה מִמֶּנִּי, כִּי כְבָר קִיֵּימְתִּי מִצְוַת בוֹרְאִי יִתְעַלֶּה, וְהִנְנִי מָהוּל כְּאֶחָד מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל). And then he showed me an angry face and rebuked me and said (וְאָז הֶרְאָה לִי פָּנִים זוֹעֲפוֹת וְגָעַר בִּי וְאָמַר): What is this that you have done-that you have brought me and yourself into great danger (מַה זֹּאת עָשִׂיתָ שֶׁהֵבֵאתָ אוֹתִי וְאוֹתְךָ בְּסַכָּנָה גְדוֹלָה), for if the matter becomes known to the king, he will say that I seduced you to do this, which I knew nothing about and never entered my heart (שֶׁאִם יִוָּדַע הַדָּבָר לַמֶּלֶךְ, יוֹמַר שֶׁאֲנִי פִּתִּיתִיךָ לַעֲשׂוֹת כֵּן, מַה שֶּׁלֹּא יָדַעְתִּי וְלֹא עָלָה עַל לִבִּי).

And I was very astonished at his words (וְתָמַהְתִּי מְאֹד עַל דְּבָרָיו), and despite all this, it was in my heart that all this matter was still hidden from me (וְעִם כָּל זֶה הָיָה בְּלִבִּי כִּי נֶעְלַם מִמֶּנִּי כָּל דָּבָר מִדְּבָרִים אֵלֶּה). And after I was sealed with the seal of my Creator (וְאַחַר שֶׁאֲנִי חָתוּם בַּחֲתֹם בּוֹרְאִי), awesome, great, and mighty things were shown to me (נִרְאוּ אֵלַי דְּבָרִים נוֹרָאִים, גְּדוֹלִים וַעֲצוּמִים). And great secrets were revealed to me (וְגָלוּי אֵלַי סוֹדוֹת גְּדוֹלִים). And He made known to me the mysteries of the wisdom of Kabbalah and great combinations from the Sefirot (וְהוֹדִיעַנִי תַּעֲלוּמוֹת חַכְמוֹת הַקַּבָּלָה וְצֵירוּפִים גְּדוֹלִים מֵהַסְּפִירוֹת). And He showed me treasuries of wisdom (וְהֶרְאַנִי אוֹצְרוֹת חָכְמָה), and they illuminated my heart and my eyes in the Torah of our God with the light of the luminaries (וְהֵאִירוּ אֶת לְבָבִי וְעֵינַי בְּתוֹרַת אֱלֹקֵינוּ בְּאוֹר הַמְּאוֹרוֹת). And then I was commanded to come to the kingdom of Turkey (וְאָז צִוּוּ עָלַי שֶׁאָבוֹא בְּמַלְכוּת תּוּגַרְמָה), and I have not yet been permitted to reveal the reason (וְעֲדַיִן לֹא הוּרְשֵׁיתִי לְפַרְסֵם הַסִּבָּה). And to lighten from me words of disputes and answers, questions and sermons and investigations of the children of Israel (וּלְהָקֵל מֵעָלַי דִּבְרֵי רִיבוֹת וּתְשׁוּבוֹת, שְׁאֵלוֹת וּדְרָשׁוֹת וְחֲקִירוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), I passed the report through their camps that our master Rabbi David sent me on a hidden mission to Turkey (וְהֶעֱבַרְתִּי הָרִנָּה בְּמַחֲנֵיהֶם כִּי מַהֲרַ״ר דָּוִד שְׁלָחַנִי שְׁלִיחוּת נִסְתֶּרֶת לְתוּגַרְמָה).

But now I speak the truth before the Maker of heaven and earth-may He be blessed-and before Your noble honor (אֲבָל עַתָּה הָאֱמֶת אֲנִי מַגִּיד לִפְנֵי עוֹשֵׂה שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ יִתְבָּרַךְ וְלִפְנֵי כְבוֹד מַעֲלָתוֹ), that I did not go forth, nor did I circumcise, by the word of flesh and blood, but only by the word of Hashem our God (כִּי לֹא נָסַעְתִּי וְלֹא מַלְתִּי עַל פִּי בָּשָׂר וָדָם כִּי אִם עַל פִּי ה׳ אֱלֹקֵינוּ).

And now I will tell the manner of the visions that I saw in my dream (וְעַתָּה אוֹפֶן הַמַּרְאוֹת אַגִּיד, אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתִי בַּחֲלוֹמִי): And I saw-and behold, a certain honored one, his beard exceedingly long, and his appearance pale as snow (וָאֵרֶא וְהִנֵּה אֶחָד נִכְבָּד זְקָנוֹ אָרוֹךְ מְאֹד וּמַרְאֵהוּ כַּתֶּלֶג חִוָּר), and he said to me: Come with me to one of the ruins of Jerusalem (וַיֹּאמֶר לִי: בּוֹא עִמִּי לַחֻרְבָּה אַחַת מֵחֻרְבוֹת יְרוּשָׁלַ‍ִם). And I went with him there (וְהָלַכְתִּי עִמּוֹ לְשָׁם), and among the matters I saw-that I was on the road a long time (וּבְתוֹךְ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה שֶׁרָאִיתִי – שֶׁאֲנִי בַדֶּרֶךְ זְמַן רַב), and on the way I saw three oaks, all emerging from a single root and their branches separated in all directions (וּבַדֶּרֶךְ רָאִיתִי שְׁלוֹשָׁה אֵלוֹנִים שֶׁכֻּלָּם יוֹצְאִים מִשֹּׁרֶשׁ אֶחָד וַעֲנָפֵיהֶם נִפְרָדִים לְכָל רוּחַ). And on the branches I saw many white doves (וְעַל הָעֲנָפִים רָאִיתִי יוֹנִים הַרְבֵּה לְבָנוֹת), and between dove and dove were other doves of a rich color (וּבֵין יוֹנָה לִיוֹנָה יוֹנוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת מִגָּוֶן דָּשֵׁן), and they were more numerous than the white ones (וְהֵן רַבּוֹת מִן הַלְּבָנוֹת), and their rich color appeared to be such that it had not been natural to them from the beginning of their creation (וּגְוֹן הַדָּשֵׁן שֶׁלָּהֶן הָיָה נִרְאֶה שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה לָהֶן טִבְעִי מִתְּחִלַּת בְּרִיאָתָן), but that they had originally been white and were changed to the rich color (אֶלָּא שֶׁהָיוּ לְבָנוֹת מִקּוֹרָן וְנִשְׁתַּנוּ לְגוֹן הַדָּשֵׁן). And other black doves among the white ones and the richly-colored ones (וְיוֹנוֹת אֲחֵרוֹת שְׁחֹרוֹת בֵּין הַלְּבָנוֹת וְהַמְּדֻשָּׁנוֹת), fewer than the white ones (מְעַטִּים מִן הַלְּבָנוֹת). And near those oaks there was a large square field (וְסָמוּךְ לָאֵלוֹן הָיָה שָׂדֶה גָּדוֹל רָבוּעַ), and in the middle of the field flowed a great river (וּבְאֶמְצַע הַשָּׂדֶה הָיָה עוֹבֵר נָהָר גָּדוֹל). And across the river was a great people, men of war (וּמֵעֵבֶר לַנָּהָר הָיָה עָם רָב, אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה), and horsemen riding steeds (וּפָרָשִׁים רֹכְבִים סוּסִים), and many instruments of war-swords and spears and bows (וּכְלֵי מִלְחָמָה הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד, חֲרָבוֹת וַרְמָחִים וְקַשָּׁתוֹת), and iron weapons that fired iron balls with fire (וּכְלֵי בַּרְזֶל מוֹרִים כַּדוּרֵי בַּרְזֶל עִם אֵשׁ). And the intent of this army was to reach the oaks to cut them down (וּכְוּנַת הַחַיִל הַזֶּה לְהַגִּיעַ לָאֵלוֹנִים לִכְרוֹתָם).

And I heard them say: These oaks are dwelling places of the Jews (וְשָׁמַעְתִּי אוֹמְרִים: הָאֵלוֹנִים הָאֵלֶּה הֵם מִשְׁכְּנוֹת הַיְּהוּדִים), therefore we shall cut them down and cast them to the ground (לָכֵן נַכְרִיתֵם וּנְפִילֵם לָאָרֶץ). But they could not reach the oaks to cut them down, for the river stood between them (וְלֹא הָיוּ יְכוֹלִים לְהַגִּיעַ לָאֵלוֹנִים לְהַכְרִיתָם, שֶׁהַנָּהָר הִינָּה מַפְסִיק בֵּינֵיהֶם). And they struck at the black doves and also at the richly-colored ones, and they immediately fell to the ground (וְהָיוּ מַכִּים לַיּוֹנוֹת הַשְּׁחֹרוֹת וְגַם לַמְּדֻשָּׁנוֹת וּמִיָּד נוֹפְלוֹת עַל הָאָרֶץ). And immediately large birds came and consumed their flesh until not one of them was left among the oaks (וּמִיָּד בָּאִים עוֹפוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת וְהָיוּ אוֹכְלִין אֶת בְּשָׂרָם עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִשְׁאַר אֶחָד מֵהֶם לָאֵלוֹנִים). And also among the richly-colored doves many were struck (וְגַם מֵהַיּוֹנוֹת הַמְּדֻשָּׁנוֹת מַכָּה הַרְבֵּה מֵהֶם).

And I saw this great blow that was done to the black and the richly-colored doves (וַאֲנִי רוֹאֶה אֶת הַמַּכָּה הַגְּדוֹלָה הַזֹּאת הַנַּעֲשִׂית בַּיּוֹנוֹת הַשְּׁחֹרוֹת וּבַמְּדֻשָּׁנוֹת). And at that time, people approached me and asked me: what is this thing? (וְעֵת הַהִיא, קָרְבוּ אֵלַי אֲנָשִׁים וְשָׁאֲלוּ מִמֶּנִּי, מַה הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה). And I said to them: this people struck the doves, those that fall to the earth (וָאֹמַר לָהֶם: הָעָם הַזֶּה הִכּוּ אֶת הַיּוֹנוֹת הָאֵלֶּה הַנּוֹפְלוֹת בָּאָרֶץ), and now they desire also to strike the white doves (וְעַתָּה רוֹצִים לְהַכּוֹת גַּם אֶת הַיּוֹנוֹת הַלְּבָנוֹת), which are very beautiful and fill the tree so it not dry out (אֲשֶׁר הֵן יָפוֹת מְאֹד וּמְל[א]וֹת אֶת הָאִילָן שֶׁלֹּא תִיבַשׁ). And the men said to me: let us make for them a fence and a barrier to shield them (וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלַי הָאֲנָשִׁים: נַעֲשֶׂה גֶדֶר לָהֶם וּמְחִיצָה לְהָגֵן בְּעַדָּם). And I said to them: let us do so (וָאֹמַר לָהֶם: נַעֲשֶׂה כָּזֶה). And we hastened to make for them a barrier of earth and planks near the river (וּמִהַרְנוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת לָהֶם הַמְּחִיצָה מֵעָפָר וְקֶרֶשִׁים סָמוּךְ לַנָּהָר). And the warriors did not cease their hand from striking the doves and killing them (וְאַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה לֹא הֵשִׁיבוּ אָחוֹר יְדֵיהֶם מֵהַכּוֹת הַיּוֹנוֹת וּלְהָמִיתָם). And when they saw the barrier that we had made to save them (וּכְאֲשֶׁר רָאוּ הַמְּחִיצָה שֶׁעָשִׂינוּ לְהַצִּילָם), they destroyed it with weapons of fire (הָיוּ הוֹרְסִים אוֹתָהּ בִּכְלֵי מִלְחָמָה שֶׁל אֵשׁ), and they struck also some of the men who were with me (וְגַם הִכּוּ קְצָת הָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ אִתִּי). And large birds would descend and consume their flesh off them, just as they had done to the doves (וְהָעוֹפוֹת הַגְּדוֹלוֹת הָיוּ יוֹרְדוֹת לֶאֱכוֹל בְּשָׂרָם מֵעֲלֵיהֶם כְּמוֹ שֶׁעָשׂוּ לַיּוֹנוֹת).

And in the midst of this, they struck me in the vision (וּבְתוֹךְ זֶה, הִכּוּ אוֹתִי בַּמַּחֲזֶה) with an iron ball from a fire-weapon (בְּכַדּוּר בַּרְזֶל בִּכְלִי אֵשׁ), and the ball exited from my back (וְיָצָא הַכַּדּוּר מֵאֲחוֹרַי), and I exerted and strengthened myself greatly so as not to fall to the earth (וְהִתְאַמַּצְתִּי וְהִתְחַזַּקְתִּי בִּטְרַח גָּדוֹל שֶׁלֹּא אֶפּוֹל לָאָרֶץ), but I had no strength and I fell to the ground (וְלֹא עָצַרְתִּי כֹחַ וְנָפַלְתִּי לָאָרֶץ). And in my falling I said: woe is me, that these birds will consume me, my flesh, as they consumed the flesh of the men who were with me (וּבְנָפְלִי אָמַרְתִּי: אוֹי לִי שֶׁ[י]אֹכְלוּ אוֹתִי הָעוֹפוֹת הָאֵלֶּה, אֶת בְּשָׂרִי כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָכְלוּ בְּשַׂר הָאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר אִתִּי), and I will not be buried among my brethren (וְלֹא יִקָּבְרוּ אוֹתִי בֵּין אַחַי).

And with all that, I was calm in mind and saw great visions (וְעִם כָּל זֶה הָיִיתִי מְיֻשָּׁב בְּדַעְתִּי וְרָאִיתִי מַרְאוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת), and I said: it is true what they say while living, that great things are seen after death more than in life (וָאֹמַר: אֱמֶת הוּא מַה שֶּׁאָמְרוּ בִּהְיוֹתִי בַּחַיִּים, שֶׁדְּבָרִים גְּדוֹלִים רוֹאִים אַחַר מִיתָה יוֹתֵר מִבַּחַיִּים). And I saw the white doves that were in the tree-some of them had changed to the rich color (וָאֵרֶא הַיּוֹנוֹת הַלְּבָנוֹת שֶׁהָיוּ בָּאִילָן, מִקְצָתָן הָיוּ מְשֻׁנוֹת לְגוֹן הַדָּשֵׁן), and the richly-colored ones were changing into white again (וְהַמְּדֻשָּׁנוֹת מִשְׁתַּנּוֹת לְגוֹן הַלָּבָן). And the people who stood near me, who remained alive, brought to me a woman to heal me (וְהָאֲנָשִׁים הָעֹמְדִים אֶצְלִי שֶׁנִּשְׁאֵרוּ חַיִּים הֵבִיאוּ לִי אִשָּׁה לְרַפְּאוֹתִי). And these asked one another: who is this woman? (וְשָׁאֲלוּ אֵלּוּ לָאֵלּוּ מִי זֹאת הָאִשָּׁה). And they answered: this is so-and-so, wife of so-and-so (וְהֵשִׁיבוּ: זֹאת פְּלוֹנִית אֵשֶׁת פְּלוֹנִי), and I have not yet been permitted to reveal her name (וְעֲדַיִן לֹא הוּרְשֵׁיתִי לְהַגִּיד אֶת שְׁמָהּ).

And the woman prayed before Hashem, may He be blessed, with supplications and prayer that I be healed (וַתִּתְפַלֵּל הָאִשָּׁה לִפְנֵי ה׳ יִתְבָּרַךְ בְּתַחֲנוּנִים וּבִתְפִלָּה שֶׁיְּרַפְּאֵנִי). And those men mourned over me greatly (וְהָאֲנָשִׁים הָהֵם הָיוּ מִתְאַבְּלִים עָלַי מְאֹד), and the doves were dwindling, and many of them were of altered hue (וְהַיּוֹנוֹת הוֹלְכוֹת וּמִתְמַעֲטוֹת, וְהַרְבֵּה מֵהֶן מְשֻׁנוֹת הַגָּוֶן שֶׁלָּהֶן). And in the midst of the prayer of that woman (וּבְתוֹךְ תְּפִלַּת הָאִשָּׁה הַהִיא), like the appearance of a man I saw (כְּמַרְאֵה אִישׁ רָאִיתִי), and his garments white as snow (וּבְגָדָיו לְבָנִים כַּשֶּׁלֶג), and his appearance like the appearance of an angel of Hashem Tzeva’ot (וּמַרְאֵהוּ כְּמַרְאֵה מַלְאַךְ ה׳ צְבָאוֹת).

And I saw a man opposite him (וָאֶרְאֶה אִישׁ אֶחָד כְּנֶגְדּוֹ), and his appearance was exceedingly awesome-more than the first (וּמַרְאֵהוּ נוֹרָא מְאֹד יוֹתֵר מִן הָרִאשׁוֹן), and his garments were more white and precious and splendid (וּבְגָדָיו יוֹתֵר לְבָנִים וִיקָרִים וּמְפוֹאָרִים). And in his hand were great scales (וְהָיוּ בְּיָדוֹ מְאַזְנַיִם גְּדוֹלִים), and he was aligning to fix the scales (וְהָיָה מְכוּוָן לְתַקֵּן הַמְאַזְנַיִים), so that the scales be even without tilt (כְּפִי הַמְאַזְנַיִים שְׁוִים בְּלִי הַטָּיָה). And he began to walk on the path (וְהִתְחִיל לָלֶכֶת בַּדֶּרֶךְ), the first man that I saw (אִישׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁרָאִיתִי).

And the second man, greater than him whom I saw (וְהָאִישׁ הַשֵּׁנִי גָּדוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ שֶׁרָאִיתִי), was walking in the air opposite him (הָיָה הוֹלֵךְ בָּאֲוִיר כְּנֶגְדּוֹ), until the two of them came close to me (עַד שֶׁהִגִּיעוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם קָרוֹב אֵלַי). And the first man asked the people standing with me (וְשָׁאַל הָאִישׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן לָאֲנָשִׁים הָעוֹמְדִים אִתִּי): Has any bird descended upon this one? (וְכִי יָרַד שׁוּם עוֹף עַל זֶה). And they answered: they did not permit the birds to reach him (וְהֵם הֵשִׁיבוּ: לֹא הִנְחֲגוּ לָעוֹפוֹת שֶׁיַּגִּיעוּ אֵלָיו). And immediately he sent those men far away (וּמִיָּד שָׁלַח הָאֲנָשִׁים הָהֵם לְמֶרְחוק), until none of them was seen in the field (עַד שֶׁלֹּא נִרְאֶה שׁוּם אֶחָד מֵהֶם בַּשָּׂדֶה). And we remained, the two of us, together (וְנִשְׁאַרְנוּ שְׁנֵינוּ בְיַחַד).

And the great second man stood over us in the air (וְהָאִישׁ הַגָּדוֹל הַשֵּׁנִי עָמַד עָלֵינוּ בָּאֲוִיר). And the first man fell upon me (וְהָאִישׁ הָרִאשׁוֹן נוֹפֵל עָלַי), and he placed his mouth on my mouth, and his eyes on my eyes, and his palms on my palms (וַיָּשֶׂם פִּיו עַל פִּי וְעֵינָיו עַל עֵינַי וְכַפָּיו עַל כַּפָּי), and he spoke with me words in the Name of our God in a whisper, several times (וְדִיבֵּר עִמִּי דְּבָרִים בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹקֵינוּ בְּלַחַשׁ פְּעָמִים מִסְפָּר), and he stood me upon my station (וַיַּעֲמִידֵנִי עַל עַמְדִּי). And he said to me: Have you understood the matter of these doves, and their strange colors-what they are and what they signify? (וַיֹּאמֶר לִי: הֲבִינוֹתָ אֶת מִקְרֵה הַיּוֹנוֹת הָאֵלֶּה וְגווניהן מְשׁוּנִים מָה הֵן וְעַל מָה הֵן מוֹרוֹת), and also these gentiles who strike them and put them to death-what is that? (וְגַם הַגּוֹיִים הָאֵלֶּה הַמַּכִּין אוֹתָן וּמְמִיתִין בָּהֶן מָה הוּא).

And I said to him: My lord, your servant did not understand this matter, except that my compassion was stirred for these doves with my companions (וָאֹמַר לוֹ: אֲדוֹנִי, עַבְדְּךָ לֹא הֵבִין אֶת הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה עַד זוּלַת כִּי נִכְמְרוּ רַחֲמַי עַל הַיּוֹנוֹת הָאֵלֶּה עִם חֲבֵרַי), and I had compassion on them, for my heart was pained over them (וְרִיחַמְתִּי עֲלֵיהֶם, שֶׁהָיָה לִבִּי כּוֹאֵב עֲלֵיהֶם), but I did not know what they are here, and I also did not know their oppressors (אֲבָל לֹא יָדַעְתִּי מָה הֵן בְּכָאן וְגַם לֹא יָדַעְתִּי צריהן).

And he said to me: lift your eyes (וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי שָׂא נָא עֵינֶיךָ), and see all these armies (וּרְאֵה אֶת כָּל הַחֲיָלוֹת הָאֵלֶּה), and understand their end (וְתָבִין סוֹפָן), and know what the doves are (וְתֵדַע הַיּוֹנוֹת מָה הֵן). And he blew upon those nations (וַיָּפַח עַל הַגּוֹיִם הָהֵם), and they became a heap of dust (וְנַעֲשׂוּ גַּל עָפָר). And this man did not cross the river to strike those nations (וְהָאִישׁ הַזֶּה לֹא עָבַר הַנָּהָר לְהַכּוֹת הַגּוֹיִם הָהֵם), rather he was across the river in the place where the doves were (אֶלָּא הָיָה מֵעֵבֶר הַנָּהָר בַּמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ הַיּוֹנוֹת). And he also blew upon the doves (וְגַם נָפַח עַל הַיּוֹנוֹת), who had changed their colors after the incident happened to me (אֲשֶׁר שִׁנּוּ גְוָנֵיהֶן אַחַר שֶׁקָּרָה לִי הַמִּקְרֶה), and they all became white (וְכֻלָּם נִתְלַבְּנוּ), and among them there was not one that differed from her companion (וּבָהֶן לֹא הָיְתָה אַחַת שֶׁתְּהֵא מְשֻׁנָּה מֵחֲבֶרְתָּהּ). And the river had much water (וְהַנָּהָר הִרְבָּה מַיִם), more than before (רַבִּים יוֹתֵר מִבָּרִאשׁוֹנָה). And trees grew on the bank of the river on both sides (וַיֵּצְאוּ אִילָנוֹת עַל שְׂפַת הַנָּהָר מִזֶּה וּמִזֶּה), and their fruits were different one from another (וּפֵרוֹתֵיהֶם מְשֻׁנִּים זֶה מִזֶּה).

At that time I said to this man (בָּעֵת הַהִיא וָאֹמַר אֶל הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה): let my lord tell his servant what are these wonders and miracles (יַגִּיד אֲדֹנִי אֶל עַבְדּוֹ מָה הַמּוֹפְתִים וְהַנִּסִּים הָאֵלֶּה), if I have found favor in your eyes (אִם מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ). And he said to me: you cannot know these things now (וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלַי לֹא תוּכַל עַתָּה לָדַעַת אֶת הַדְּבָרִים), but it will not be hidden from you (אֲבָל לֹא יִהְיֶה נֶעְלָם מִמְּךָ). And I bowed before him (וַאֲנִי הִשְׁתַּחֲוֵיתִי לְפָנָיו), and I said: let my lord speak to his servant (וָאֹמַר יְדַבֵּר נָא אֲדֹנִי לְעַבְדּוֹ), so that I may be confident that I will understand the meaning of all these things (כְּדֵי שֶׁאֶהְיֶה בָּטוּחַ שֶׁאֵדַע פֵּרוּשׁ כָּל אֵלֶּה הַדְּבָרִים).

And he blessed me (וַיְבָרֶךְ אוֹתִי). And I awoke from this vision, and I understood nothing (וָאֵקִיץ מֵהַמַּרְאֶה הַזֹּאת וְלֹא הֵבַנְתִּי מְאוּמָה). And afterward I saw in the vision the first elder whom I saw in the earlier visions (וְאַחֲרֵי כֵן רָאִיתִי בַּמַּרְאֶה הַזָּקֵן הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁרָאִיתִי בַּמַּרְאוֹת הָרִאשׁוֹנוֹת), and he explained to me everything (וְהוּא פֵּרֵשׁ לִי הַכֹּל), but I do not yet have permission from him to publicize anything of what he explained (וַעֲדַיִן אֵין לִי רְשׁוּתוֹ לְפַרְסֵם דָּבָר מִמַּה שֶּׁפֵּרֵשׁ). And when Hashem brings me in peace to the land of Edom (וּכְשֶׁיַּגִּיעֵנִי הקב״ה לְשָׁלוֹם לְאֶרֶץ אֱדוֹם), I will make a composition, arranged, from all the visions that I saw, with a well-explained interpretation (אֶעֱשֶׂה חִבּוּר בְּעֲרִיכָה מִכָּל הַמַּרְאוֹת שֶׁרָאִיתִי עִם פֵּרוּשׁ בָּאֵר הֵיטֵב), and from there I will send it to the one who fears Hashem (וּמִשָּׁם אֶשְׁלָחֶנּוּ לְיִרְאַת ה׳).

And the things that were renewed after my arrival there (וְהַדְּבָרִים שֶׁהִתְחַדְּשׁוּ אַחֲרֵי בּוֹאִי שָׁם) will testify about me and about the integrity of my heart and the endurance of human shame, and my kidneys (יַעִידוּ עָלַי וְעַל תֹּם לְבָבִי וְסַבְלָנוּת חֶרְפַּת אֱנוֹשׁ וְכִלְיוֹתָי). And scrutinize well (וְדוֹק).

And I trust in the supreme kindness—may He be blessed— (וַאֲנִי בּוֹטֵחַ בְּחֶסֶד עֶלְיוֹן יִתְבָּרֵךְ), that it shall be fulfilled in me: “And I shall walk in my integrity,” and so forth (שֶׁיִּתְקַיֵּם בִּי ״וַאֲנִי בְּתֻמִּי אֵלֵךְ״ וְגוֹמֵר), and “My foot stands on level ground” (וְ״רַגְלִי עָמְדָה בְּמִישׁוֹר״). And in those days the children of Israel shall believe in me (וּבַיָּמִים הָהֵם יַאֲמִינוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵלַי), without doubt it will not be a foreign thing nor an exaggeration (בְּלִי סָפֵק לֹא יִהְיֶה זָר וְלֹא דְּבַר גּוֹזְמָא), and in the eyes of every man of intellect and of faith (וּבְּעֵינֵי כָּל בַּעַל שֵׂכֶל וּבַעַל אֱמוּנָה).

Meaning to say: not one thing from all that is written, and from all that I shall write (רָצוֹת לוֹמַר דָּבָר אֶחָד מִכָּל מַה שֶּׁכָּתוּב וּמִכָּל מַה שֶּׁאֶכְתּוֹב). And I inform you: from the day I departed from Portugal, visions appeared to me in a dream (וְאוֹדִיעֲךָ שֶׁמִיּוֹם שֶׁנָּסַעְתִּי מִפּוֹרְטוּגָּאל נִרְאוּ אֵלַי מַרְאוֹת בַּחֲלוֹם), for there they showed me all the things destined to come upon me (כִּי שָׁם הֶרְאוּנִי כָּל הַדְּבָרִים הָעֲתִידִים לָבוֹא עָלַי), and all the things destined to be renewed in my days (וְכָל הַדְּבָרִים הָעֲתִידִים לְהִתְחַדֵּשׁ בְּיָמַי).

And at times I now see an assembly of Sages (וּלְפָעָמִים אֲנִי רוֹאֶה עַתָּה יְשִׁיבַת חֲכָמִים), and books opened before them (וּסְפָרִים פְּתוּחִים לִפְנֵיהֶם), and they engage in Torah (וְעוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה), and they discuss and interpret verses and teachings from our Sages of blessed memory (וְעוֹשִׂים מַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן וּפֵרוּשִׁים פְּסוּקִים וּמַאֲמָרִים מֵרַבּוֹתֵינוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה), and from their words I hear and learn something (וּמִתּוֹךְ דִּבְרֵיהֶם אֲנִי שׁוֹמֵעַ וְלוֹמֵד אֵיזֶה דָּבָר). But because I did not study and was not trained in the Holy Tongue (וּלְפִי שֶׁלֹּא לָמַדְתִּי וְלֹא הוֹרְגַּלְתִּי בִּלְשׁוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁ), I did not understand all of their words (וְלֹא הֵבַנְתִּי אֶת כָּל דִּבְרֵיהֶם). But from that which they teach me there, in that sacred assembly (אֲבָל מִמַּה שֶּׁמְּלַמְּדִים שָׁם אוֹתִי מֵהַהִיא הַיְשִׁיבָה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה), I answer those who ask with interpretations, verses, and teachings (אֲנִי מֵשִׁיב לַשּׁוֹאֲלִים פֵּרוּשִׁים וּפְסוּקִים וּמַאֲמָרִים), whose understanding is difficult even in the eyes of the sages of the generation (אֲשֶׁר קָשָׁה הֲבָנָתָם בְּעֵינֵי חַכְמֵי הַדּוֹר).

And whoever desires, may ask of me whatever he desires—to explain verses and obscure teachings (וּמִי שֶׁיִּרְצֶה יִשְׁאַל מִמֶּנִּי מַה שֶּׁיִּרְצֶה לְפָרֵשׁ פְּסוּקִים וּמַאֲמָרִים סְתוּמִים). With the help of Hashem, may He be blessed, I have trusted (בְּעֶזְרַת ה׳ יִתְבָּרֵךְ בָּטַחְתִּי), to answer every inquirer sufficiently (לְהָשִׁיב לְכָל שׁוֹאֵל דֵּי סִפּוּקוֹ), exalted matters that settle well upon the heart of every man of understanding (דְּבָרִים עֶלְיוֹנִים וּמִתְיַשְּׁבִים עַל לֵב כָּל בַּעַל שֵׂכֶל), matters not found in books (מַה שֶּׁלֹּא נִמְצָא בַּסְּפָרִים), that were taught to me from Heaven (מַה שֶּׁהוֹרֻנִי מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם).

And I have not learned wisdom from the mouth of a Rav or a human companion all my days (וְלֹא לָמַדְתִּי חָכְמָה מִפִּי רַב וְחָבֵר בָּשָׂר וָדָם מִיָּמַי). And whatever they ask me, I have permission to answer from the twenty-four books (וְכָל מַה שֶּׁיִּשְׁאֲלוּנִי יֵשׁ לִי רְשׁוּת לְהָשִׁיב בְּעֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה), except for the book of Daniel (זוּלַת בְּסֵפֶר דָּנִיֵּאל), for I was not permitted regarding it (כִּי לֹא הוֹרְשֵׁיתִי בּוֹ), because from it they hinted to me all that I saw (כִּי מִמֶּנּוּ רָמְזוּ לִי כָּל מַה שֶּׁרָאִיתִי), and they commanded me not to reveal anything from it now (וְצִוּוּ עָלַי שֶׁלֹּא אֲגַלֶּה שׁוּם דָּבָר מִמֶּנּוּ עַתָּה).

And even in all the words of our Sages, whether from the Talmud or outside it (וְגַם בְּכָל דִּבְרֵי רַז״ל בֵּין מִן הַתַּלְמוּד בֵּין חוּצָה לוֹ), I will answer every inquirer according to his need with a sufficient answer (אָשִׁיב לְכָל שׁוֹאֵל דֵּי מַחְסוֹרוֹ תְּשׁוּבָה מְסַפֶּקֶת), for the good hand of Hashem, may He be blessed, is upon me (כִּי יַד ה׳ יִתְבָּרֵךְ הַטּוֹבָה עָלַי), when I engage in the interpretation of a verse that was asked of me (כַּאֲשֶׁר אֲנִי עוֹסֵק בְּפֵרוּשׁ פָּסוּק שֶׁשָּׁאֲלוּ מִמֶּנִּי), even the name of the book in which the verses are written I have never seen nor known (וַאֲפִלּוּ שֵׁם הַסֵּפֶר אֲשֶׁר הַפְּסוּקִים כְּתוּבִים בּוֹ לֹא רָאִיתִי וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי מֵעוֹלָם), such as Shir haShirim, Kohelet, Ruth, and the like (כְּמוֹ שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים קֹהֶלֶת רוּת וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהֶן).