Secrets of Rashid: Untold Stories of a Jewish Community

The term "hieroglyphics" often takes us back to childhood school days, but its original meaning refers to the ancient Egyptian script used by the "sorcerers of Egypt" mentioned in the Torah.

Around two hundred years ago, Napoleon swept through Egypt, filling France and the Louvre with Egyptian artifacts and inscriptions, spoils of his conquest. However, how did researchers accomplish what seemed impossible in third grade - deciphering hieroglyphics?

They struggled for several years until a wonderful discovery, later called the "Rosetta Stone," was found. Discovered in Rosetta, a city along the coast 50 km from Alexandria, the stone bore inscriptions in hieroglyphics with translations in Demotic and Greek. This translation served as a dictionary for Champollion, who deciphered the hieroglyphic secrets. This rare stone was later taken to London after the British defeated the French, and Egypt is now requesting its return. Only time will tell where it will finally rest.

Our focus, however, is on the Jewish community of Rosetta, not as famous as Alexandria or Cairo's communities. Rosetta, known as Rashid among Jews, hosted a significant port favored by Jewish merchants after the Spanish Expulsion. They preferred it for its proximity to the sea, essential for their trade. The Radbaz, a major rabbi of that era in Egypt, wrote: "See that the main Jewish residence is on the coast. There are many places in Egypt not by the sea which have no Jews living there." Rashid's coastal and Nile location enabled effective goods transportation from inner Egypt to distant lands.

Many Spanish exiles wished to settle in the Land of Israel, but it was harshly governed by the Mamluks and fraught with bandits. Despite challenges, Jews settled in this North Egyptian port city, staying informed about the Holy Land's condition, ready to move when possible. Many, including the Radbaz and the holy Arizal, eventually relocated there.

History books rarely mention the Rashid Jewish community. Only with the Cairo Geniza's discovery did their actions and activities come to light. During Rabbi Ovadia of Bertinoro's travels in Rashid, he made no mention of Jews there, likely established post-Expulsion. The Radbaz wrote: "Jews newly settled in Rashid." (This explains their initial errors in ritual baths, which he corrected by establishing a proper one.)

A notable account from a Jewess who was in Rashid and ascended to Israel is in Franciscan monk Peter Pantalioni's travel narrative of 1583. He describes meeting a young Jewish woman originally from Rashid near the Siloam spring: "I asked her origins. She stated she was a Jew from Rosetta, a city in Egypt near Damietta, mostly inhabited by traders, refugees from Castile and Portugal. Her parents hailed from Castile, born in Toledo."

As per the Radbaz, Rashid housed devout but not necessarily scholarly traders. Seemingly, Rashid lacked the religious and academic stature of other Egyptian communities at the time. However, eventually, yeshivas and communities emerged, and Torah scholars resided there. We learn from Geniza documents about community life and commerce. One document from Rabbi Eliyahu Said requests silk fabrics and Kabbalistic books. Another addresses "wise Rabbi Dosa of Egypt." Rabbi Moshe Abu-Draham is noted as residing in Rashid.

The most surprising letter was from Rabbi Moshe Benjamin of Rashid to his business partner, none other than the holy Arizal. Moshe Benjamin reported selling goods belonging to "Rabbi Isaac Luria Ashkenazi," sending forty korniş with the emissary Moshe Crispin. Alternatively, should Rabbi Isaac prefer, buffalo hides would be sent for resale in Ancona. Rabbi Moshe Benjamin also sought details on selling cucumbers and wines.

Other letters document daily life, business dealings, halachic inquiries, and connections with prominent Egyptian rabbis. Many community members eventually fulfilled the dream of ascending to the Land of Israel.