The Miraculous Rescue of Saragossa Jews: A Story of Faith and Holiday
On the 18th of Sh'vat, the Jews of Saragossa celebrate Purim Saragossa, remembering the miraculous rescue that occurred. The tale involves an evil king, a conflict over Torah scrolls, and the downfall of Marcus the wicked.
- שלמה תומר
- פורסם י"ח שבט התשע"ו
(Illustrative Photo: Flash 90) #VALUE!
The story goes that in Saragossa, Spain, during the reign of King Saragossanus, the Jews enjoyed the king's respect. In return, they would traditionally welcome the king’s arrival with Torah scrolls from the city's 12 synagogues, offering him a special blessing.
One day, the Jewish sages and rabbis of Saragossa decided to end this practice, asserting that it was disrespectful to the holy Torah scrolls to be taken out for a mortal king. They resolved that at the king's next visit, they would carry the Torah cases out empty, with ornate covers, leaving the scrolls in the synagogues.
A Jewish man named Marcus, who had turned away from Jewish traditions, decided to inform King Saragossanus of the Jews’ plan, accusing them of dishonoring him. Upon hearing Marcus’s accusations, the king was filled with anger and declared that he would visit Saragossa to inspect the Torah cases. If Marcus’s claims proved true, he would destroy all the Jews, their homes, and their synagogues.
On the 18th of Sh'vat, King Saragossanus set out with a large and well-armed military entourage towards Saragossa, with Marcus the wicked in tow.
The night before the king's arrival, the prophet Elijah, may his memory be blessed, appeared in a dream to all 12 sextons of the synagogues in Saragossa, instructing them to return the Torah scrolls to their cases during the late night hours.
The following day, as the king and his army reached the city, all the Jews of Saragossa came out to greet him, blessing him with the Torah cases in hand. The king then ordered the Jews to open all the cases, leaving them trembling in fear. As the cases were opened, everyone was astounded by the miracle: all the cases indeed contained the Torah scrolls.
King Saragossanus forgave the Jews and was enraged at Marcus the wicked for deceiving him. The king sentenced Marcus to hanging, and the Jews of Saragossa were filled with light and joy.
The Jews of Saragossa established the 18th of Sh'vat, the day of their miraculous rescue, as a holiday of feasting and celebration. On this day, they read a special scroll called "The Scroll of Saragossa" in memory of the miracle. Each time Marcus the wicked is mentioned, the community makes noise with graggers and strikes the ground.
