ר׳ משה זכות

ר׳ משה בן מרדכי זכות (1625–1697), the הרמ״ז, was a central seventeenth-century kabbalist, poet, dramatist and communal rabbi. Born into a Portuguese New Christian family established in Amsterdam, he studied under ר׳ שאול לוי מורטירה and also acquired Latin and secular learning. Drawn intensely to mysticism, he pursued further Talmudic study in Poland. In 1644 he set out intending to reach the Land of Israel but remained in Italy, where he absorbed the Lurianic tradition associated with ר׳ בנימין הלוי. He settled in Venice, serving its community and participating in the editing and transmission of kabbalistic texts. In 1673 he accepted the rabbinate of Mantua, where he established an important circle for the study of Kabbalah; his leading disciples included ר׳ בנימין הכהן ויטאלי and ר׳ אברהם רוויגו. His correspondence connected Italian mystical circles and helped regulate the copying and interpretation of the writings of ר׳ יצחק לוריא. The הרמ״ז also wrote Hebrew poetry and drama: יסוד עולם is among the earliest substantial Hebrew dramatic poems, while תפתה ערוך depicts the punishments of Gehinnom. His halakhic and kabbalistic notes were collected as קול הרמ״ז, אגרות הרמ״ז and other posthumous editions. He died in Mantua on 1 October 1697.