Rabbi Moshe Alshich (1508–1593), universally revered as The Alshich HaKadosh (The Holy Alshich), was one of the premier Torah scholars, halachic authorities, and kabbalists of the golden era of Safed (Tzfat).

While he was a master of all areas of Torah, he is most famous for his monumental commentary on the Tanach (Hebrew Bible), which became the gold standard for drush (homiletical and ethical interpretation) and earned him the eternal title of The Maggid (Preacher) of Tzfat.

In the Heart of the Golden Era

The Alshich lived during a miraculous period in Jewish history when the northern Israeli city of Tzfat was home to an unprecedented concentration of spiritual giants. He was deeply intertwined with these legendary figures:

• The Student of the Beis Yosef: He was the primary and beloved student of Rabbi Yosef Karo (author of the Shulchan Aruch), who ordained him with the original, traditional Semicha (rabbinic ordination).

• The Teacher of the Shelah HaKadosh: He passed his tradition down to the next generation, serving as the primary mentor to Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz (the Shelah HaKadosh).

• The Contemporary of the Arizal: The Alshich was a close colleague of the supreme kabbalist, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (The Arizal). While the Alshich desperately wanted to join the Arizal’s closed circle of esoteric mysticism, tradition says the Arizal told him that his soul's true, divine mission was to illuminate the Peshat (literal) and Drush (homiletical) levels of Torah for the masses.

His Masterpiece Commentary: Torat Moshe

Every Shabbat afternoon in Tzfat, the Alshich would deliver mesmerizing sermons to the community, analyzing the weekly Torah portion or the Megillot. These highly structured, deeply inspiring lectures were later compiled into his written commentaries, most notably Torat Moshe on the Chumash, along with commentaries on almost the entirety of Nach (Prophets and Writings).

His commentary is famous for its unique structure:

1. The Questions: He begins each section by raising a series of rigorous, sharp, and seemingly difficult textual or logical questions on the verses.

2. The Blueprint: He then weaves a profound tapestry of ethical, spiritual, and philosophical concepts.

3. The Synthesis: Finally, with brilliant clarity, he answers all of his original questions simultaneously, leaving the reader with a deep, multi-dimensional understanding of the Torah's message.

Why is he called "HaKadosh" (The Holy)?

In Jewish history, only a select few sages have been universally granted the title "HaKadosh" by the Jewish people (among them the Arizal HaKadosh, the Ores HaChaim HaKadosh, and the Shelah HaKadosh).

The Alshich was granted this title because of his absolute purity of thought, his ascetic lifestyle, and the divine inspiration (Ruach HaKodesh) that visibly radiated from his teachings. It is said that his commentaries were written with such pure intentions that studying them has a unique spiritual power to awaken a person's soul to teshuvah (repentance).

Legacy and His Holy Shul

The Alshich passed away in Tzfat in 1593 at a ripe old age.

• The Alshich Synagogue: Located in the Old City of Tzfat, the Beis Medrash where he learned and delivered his legendary Shabbat sermons still stands today. It is one of the oldest active synagogues in Tzfat and is famous for having survived the devastating earthquakes of 1759 and 1837 completely untouched.

• His Kever: He is buried in the ancient cemetery of Tzfat, just a short distance from his master, the Beis Yosef, and the Arizal. His grave remains a deeply holy site where thousands stream throughout the year—and especially on his Yahrzeit on the 13th of Nissan—to pray for yeshuot, spiritual elevation, and clarity of mind.