Unmasking the Rashash: The Secret Sage Who Revealed the Depths of Kabbalah

Rabbi Shalom Sharabi, known as the Rashash was born in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen, in 1720. From early childhood he was drawn to the wisdom of Kabbalah and longed to ascend to the Land of Israel.

At the age of eighteen, he set out for the Land of Israel. His long and arduous journey passed through India, Damascus, and from there to Jerusalem.

The Hidden Sage in Beit El

When he arrived, he made his way to the Beit El Kabbalist  Fellowship in Jerusalem and approached its leader, Rabbi Gedaliah Chayun, telling him that he was an orphaned and penniless young man from Yemen seeking mercy.

He was accepted as a shamash, responsible for arranging benches, returning books to their place, and lighting the lamps. Day after day, the young Shalom sat quietly in the shadow of the Kabbalah masters — disguised as a diligent servant.

A Secret Revealed

As time passed, Rabbi Gedaliah struggled to answer the deep questions posed by his students. Rabbi Shalom’s conscience would not allow him to remain silent while spiritual seekers were left without guidance — yet he did not wish to reveal his identity prematurely.

He found a solution:

• Before midnight, before the scholars arrived, he wrote answers to their questions on small notes

• He secretly placed these notes inside Rabbi Gedaliah’s books.

The joy among the students was immense — but the identity of the mysterious sage remained unknown. Attempts to uncover him failed.

The Discovery by Rabbi Gedaliah’s Daughter

Rabbi Gedaliah’s young daughter Chana resolved to solve the mystery. Night after night she hid near the window of the study hall.

One freezing night, she saw the humble servant Shalom entering quietly, lighting a small oil lamp, writing sacred insights on a note, looking around anxiously, and hiding the note in her father’s book. The secret was revealed.

Rabbi Gedaliah immediately elevated “Shalom the servant” to the seat at his right and later appointed him as his successor. Chana became his wife. Thus began an entirely new chapter in Rabbi Shalom Sharabi’s life — not as a hidden sage, but as the leader of the greatest Kabbalists of Jerusalem, at just 31 years old.

A Disciple of the Ari’s Tradition

The Rashash was meticulous in studying and teaching Kabbalah only according to the system of the Ari (Rabbi Isaac Luria), as transmitted by his foremost disciple, Rabbi Chaim Vital.

Major Works of the Rashash

Among his writings are:

• “Siddur HaRashash” with the Rashash’s Kavanot (mystical intentions) – still used today in the Beit El Kabbalist Yeshiva

• “Emet VeShalom” on Etz Chaim by Rabbi Chaim Vital

• “Nahar Shalom” – intentions for prayer

• “Rechovot HaNahar” – introductions to the Ari’s system

• Numerous manuscripts preserved in the Beit El Yeshiva

The Rashash’s Influence Among Kabbalists

One great Kabbalist remarked: “Anyone who studies the Ari’s teachings without first learning Nahar Shalom and its introductions will grope like a blind man in the dark… swimming in deep waters without finding direction… until he crosses the river.”

His Reputation Across the Jewish World

The first Rebbe of Belz requested that copies of Nahar Shalom and the Rashash’s prayer manuscripts be brought from Israel. From Tunisia alone, seventy-seven letters were sent to the Rashash, filled with deep spiritual questions. Among his students were:

• Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azulai (the Chida)

• Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi

• Rabbi Chaim de la Rosa

Founder of a Society Built on Love

The Rashash worked to spread Kabbalah together with fellow scholars. He led them to new heights of spiritual elevation, and together they founded a society whose guiding principle was the law of love, the fundamental law of reality. They named it “Chevrat Ahavat Shalom” and bound themselves with a brotherhood covenant.

The Rashash wrote: “The Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred. Our task is to increase love among Israel until it becomes love without condition.”

In this spirit, he and his disciples created a model of a repaired society, where each person holds responsibility for the other: “Each one must regard his friend as if he were a part of his own body, with all his soul and all his might.” (from the covenant of the Jerusalem Kabbalists)

Passing and Legacy

The Rashash ascended to the Heavenly Yeshiva on 10 Shevat, 1782, and was buried on the Mount of Olives, only a few minutes’ walk from the Western Wall.

Every year, multitudes visit his grave to pray and seek salvation — just as the Rashash himself promised that whoever comes to his resting place in need of help will have their prayers answered.