“Every physical object that was used for something sanctified … always has a spirit of sanctity hovering over it” (Ben Ish Chai, Ben Yehoyada Sanhedrin 95a)
Tall Kabbalist’s kippah, made of hand-crocheted wool, worn over many years by the G-dly Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Aharon Pinto, one of the leading Kabbalists of Morocco and father and grandfather of the Pinto family rabbis – a famous dynasty of Kabbalists to this day. A signed confirmation is included from his son Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Pinto regarding the authenticity of the kippah and that his father used it over many years.
In Jewish communities across the Diaspora, people have sought to wear a kippah that was used by rabbinic leaders of the generations at special life-cycle occasions (ritual circumcision, redemption of a firstborn, wedding) as an auspicious omen. The kippahs were usually the property of the tzaddikim’s descendants, or that of wealthy people who paid large fortunes and they would generously lend them to the celebrants (until unsavory characters desired these sanctified items for themselves and they ceased to be lent out). The owners of the kippah themselves would wear them as a segulah also on the high holidays – on Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, or when ill, Heaven forbid.
The Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Aharon Pinto [1910-1985] , was a scion of a dynasty of Kabbalist rabbis, among the greatest rabbis of Moroccan Jewry. He was a son of the Kabbalist Rabbi Chaim Pinto and an in-law of Rabbi Meir Abuchatzeira, the Baba Sali’s son. Like the rabbis of the Abuhatzeira family, he too closed himself off in his house for approximately 40 years, secluded from the useless pleasures of this world, adhering to Divine worship and love of G-d, not leaving the house even in times of danger. His body became weak from fasting and self-affliction, and all his teeth fell out at the age of 45. Yet he refused dentures because he did not want to enjoy worldly food. During the years of his seclusion, he authored his book
Shnot Chaim . However, when he wanted to print it, he did not have the necessary funds. Rabbi Moshe Aharon asked a lottery ticket salesman to bring him several lottery tickets. When the salesman brought them to him, Rabbi Moshe Aharon held the tickets and approached the eternal candle that burned in his home in his father’s memory, and prayed to the Creator that if the things he had written in the book were worthy of being printed, that G-d do him a kindness in the merit of his holy forefathers and present him with the ticket that would win the lottery. Several days later, one of the tickets he had indeed won the lottery. His wife handled the printing expenses and the money he won was sufficient for printing the book. Approximately three years later, in 1961, when he finished writing the second part of the book, he again did not have the funds to print it. Rabbi Moshe Aharon repeated his actions and was answered a second time. It is told that on a daily basis, the Rebbetzin would find a coin in one of her cupboards and with it, she would provide for the household. When this became known, the miracle ceased. However, from that time on, Rabbi Moshe Aharon’s name became known and hundreds and thousands of people came to him to be blessed by him, and they were also settled financially. Near the end of his life, the Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Aharon Pinto ascended to the Land of Israel and settled in Ashdod, where he is buried. To this day, masses ascend to his grave all year, but especially on 4 Elul, which is his yahrtzeit. He was father of the gaons Rabbi Chaim Shimon – Chief Rabbi of Ashdod and Kiryat Malachi, Rabbi David Chanaya of France, and Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak; and grandfather of Kabbalist Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto, rabbi of the Shuvah Yisrael community. (Refer to:
Shenot Moshe – Toldot HaTzaddik Moshe Aharon Pinto and
Sholshelet Mishpachat Pinto .)
Kippah Height: Approximately 6 cm. Diameter: Approximately 15 cm. Hand-crocheted.
Fine-very fine condition. Usage and sweat stains.