Rabbi Yeshaya ben Avraham HaLevi Horowitz (c. 1555–1630), universally known as the S’lah HaKadosh("The Holy S'lah"), was one of the greatest rabbinic leaders, halachists, and kabbalists of the early modern era.

The acronym S’lah (של"ה) stands for the title of his magnum opus, Shnei Luchot HaBerit ("Two Tablets of the Covenant"). In Jewish tradition, only a select few individuals across history are granted the title HaKadosh("The Holy") by the masses—a testament to his profound piety, asceticism, and spiritual impact.

1. From the Capitals of Europe to the Holy Land

The S’lah was born in Prague into a family of prominent Torah scholars. He served as the Chief Rabbi in some of the most prestigious Jewish communities in Europe, including Frankfurt and Prague. He was a wealthy man, known for his immense philanthropy and his ability to gracefully bridge the worlds of community leadership, strict legal analysis, and deep mysticism.

In 1621, following the death of his wife and a growing desire for spiritual elevation, he left his comfortable life in Europe and journeyed to the Land of Israel.

• The Jerusalem Period: Upon his arrival, he was immediately appointed the Chief Rabbi of the Ashkenazi community in Jerusalem. He threw himself into rebuilding the spiritual infrastructure of the city and expanding the study of Kabbalah.

• The Kidnapping and Escape: In 1625, a cruel local Ottoman governor named Ibn Farukh took control of Jerusalem and began extorting the Jewish community. He arrested the S’lah and several other prominent rabbis, holding them for a massive ransom. After the community paid for his release, the S’lah fled north to safety, eventually settling in the holy city of Safed (Tzfat), and later Tiberias.

2. The Shnei Luchot HaBerit (The S'lah)

His masterpiece is an encyclopedia of Jewish life, ethics, and mysticism. Written over many years and completed in Israel, the book aims to show how the physical world and the spiritual world intersect.

• The Synthesis: The S’lah took the highly complex, abstract Kabbalah of the Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria) and integrated it into daily life. He explained how ordinary acts—like eating, marital relationships, and business dealings—could be elevated into deeply mystical experiences.

• Practical Customs: Many widespread customs practiced today originate in the S’lah's writings, such as the custom to study the weekly Torah portion with the Targum (Aramaic translation) on Friday afternoons, or specific ways to prepare for the Sabbath.

3. The Famous Tefillat HaS’lah (The Prayer for Children)

In the section of his book detailing the holiday of Shavuot, the S'lah authored a beautiful prayer for parents to recite on behalf of their children, asking that they grow up to be righteous, healthy, and dedicated to Torah.

He wrote that while this prayer can be said at any time, the most auspicious time (Et Ratzon) for it to be answered is the eve of Rosh Chodesh Sivan (the day before the new Hebrew month of Sivan, which usually falls in late May or early June). Today, hundreds of thousands of parents around the world stop to recite this specific prayer every year on that day.

4. His Resting Place

The S’lah HaKadosh passed away in Tiberias in 1630. Continuing the fascinating geographic thread connecting all these great sages, he is buried in the Tomb of Maimonides (Rambam) compound in Tiberias.

• An Intentionally Close Proximity: He is buried just a few yards away from the Rambam and Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai.

  
  

• A Symbol of Unity: Pilgrims who visit the Rambam’s courtyard in Tiberias naturally visit the S’lah's grave as well. It creates a stunning spiritual crossroads: the Rambam represents the ultimate pinnacle of Jewish philosophy and law, while the S’lah represents the ultimate integration of law and Kabbalah.