Asnat Barzani A Female Rabbi and Kabbalist in the 17th Century - Jews of Interest Historical Series

Some might be surprised to learn that throughout the ages there have been remarkable women who have held top positions in leadership of the Jewish people. Dating back to Biblical times we learn of Devorah, Yael, Yehudit, Esther, Shlomtzion to name a few. Today we will talk about a women who was the leading figure of the Jewish community in Kurdistan in the 17th century.

Kabbalist Rabbi Shmuel HaLevi Barzani was the head of the Yeshiva in Mosul in the 16th century. He had no male sons, only one daughter, Asnat. He trained her in the rabbinical teachings and passed all his knowledge to her. She was very bright and dedicated to the study of Torah. She gained the respect of many Jewish scholars who awarded her the title “Tanaait” a name used for sages of the Mishna.

With her father’s blessing she was married to his outstanding student Rabbi Yaakov Mizrachi on the condition that she would not be burdened with the cores of housework and would be free to continue her study of Torah. After her father’s death, her husband assumed the title of Rosh Yeshiva, but while he was too busy with his own studies, she actually taught the students in the Yeshiva and when he died she became the Rosh Yeshiva.

Asnat Barzani is a renowned figure among the Kurdistani Jewish community. Many legends and stories narrate her life and the miracles she performed. The most famous is the tale of the “Flock of Angels” which is told at Rosh Hodesh, the new month in the Hebrew calendar.

According to the legend, her father often appeared in Barzani's dreams, revealing dangers to her and telling her how to avert them. On one such occasion, she went to the city of Amêdî where she convinced the Jews to celebrate Rosh Hodesh, making a blessing on the new moon, outdoors, as had been their custom before they were harassed by hostile non Jewish towns-people.

As they proceeded with the celebration, there were shouts and they saw flames shoot up into the sky. The synagogue had been set on fire, with all the sacred books and scrolls in it. After Asnat Barzani whispered a secret name she had learned from her father, the people saw a flock of angels descending to the roof of the synagogue. The angels beat the flames with their wings, until every last spark had been put out. Then they rose up into the heavens like a flock of white doves and were gone. And when the smoke cleared, everybody saw that not only none of the Jews had been hurt since the congregation had been outdoors, but that another miracle had taken place: the synagogue had not burned, nor were any of the Torah scrolls touched by the flames. After that miracle, the Jews of Amêdî or Amadiya were not harassed by the gentiles for a long time.

Asnat is buried in Amadiya where would Jews go on pilgrimage.