The Inspiring Legacy of Rabbanit Asenath Barzani

The yeshiva in Mosul, Iraq. The year is 1640. Two yeshiva students are embroiled in a heated Torah debate. One argues: it's allowed, and even a mitzvah; the other counters: Heaven forbid, it's strictly forbidden. As tensions rise, they turn to the yeshiva's head for guidance: Rabbanit Asenath. The yeshiva's leader decrees: "It's prohibited, as I received this teaching from my father." Life at the yeshiva resumes its calm.

Who was Asenath Barzani? A yeshiva head, a poet, and a prominent leader of the Jewish community in Mosul, Baghdad?

Born around 1590, she was the granddaughter of Rabbi Nathaniel Barzani, a revered community leader known for his holiness. Her father, Rabbi Samuel, founded several yeshivas across the region, noticing that the locals were uneducated in Jewish law. With no sons, he imparted all his Torah knowledge and wisdom to his daughter, as she once wrote: "I was the daughter of a king of Israel here – who are the kings? The rabbis! I grew up on the lap of sages, indulged by my father, of blessed memory. I learned no trade or craft except heavenly work, fulfilling what is said, 'You shall meditate on it day and night.' Due to many sins, he had no sons, only daughters."

Rabbi Samuel married his learned daughter to Rabbi Jacob Mizrahi, a top student, on the condition that Asenath would continue studying Torah, not engage in household chores, as she describes: "He made my husband, of blessed memory, vow not to make me work, and so he did as instructed." Rabbi Samuel was often busy with study or fundraising, and the Rabbanit took charge: "Initially, my father of blessed memory was preoccupied with his studies and had no time to teach the students, so I taught them in his place, supporting him."

Unexpectedly, Rabbi Jacob Mizrahi, the head of the yeshiva, passed away at a young age. Hence, the responsibility of teaching and leadership fell onto the Rabbanit: "I remained to teach and direct, to advise on immersion, Shabbat, prayer, and more." Rabbanit Asenath did not see herself as suited for fundraising journeys like her husband, but she utilized her wisdom and eloquence to pen letters to benefactors far and wide.

Through her linguistic prowess and deep insights, Asenath composed liturgical songs, the most famous of which describes her dedication to the proliferation of Torah:

On Torah I cry and groan as it has vanished from my realm
The bright spark has been veiled by a cloud from my assembly
[...]
The generation is dark, there is no reprover, I mourn for my time and ceasing
I stood amidst troubles, surrounding my hands, my feet
I arranged the pillars of the earth, then installed judges in my plea
And I sealed the breaches of study halls and prayer in my district

Rabbanit Asenath Barzani passed away in 1670. The Jews of the area told many stories about her greatness and even attributed miracles to her. Undoubtedly, she was an extraordinary figure who significantly contributed to the spirituality and Torah learning of Mosul's Jews, and her liturgical songs are sung to this day. Her family, the Barzani family (respectfully referred to as the "Adoni family"), produced numerous scholars over generations.