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Article: The quest for the lost princess: transition and change in Jewish lore.
- Article from:
- Judaism
- Article date:
- June 22, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1994 American Jewish Congress. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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On the day of Yom Kippur the decision is made on high as to whether or not each person's name will be sealed in the Book of Life. Rabbi Isaac Luria of Safed, known as the Ari, was able to divine the future, and he always knew from Yom Kippur who, among his disciples, would live or die. This knowledge he rarely disclosed, but once, when he learned there was a way to avert the decree, he made an exception. Summoning Rabbi Abraham Beruchim, he said: "Know that a heavenly voice has gone forth to announce that this will be your last year among us--unless you do what is necessary to abolish the decree."
"What must I do?" asked Rabbi Abraham.
"Know, then," said the ...