Raphael Berdugo

Raphael Berdugo (Hebrew: רפאל בירדוגו ‎; Meknes in 1747 – 1821), son of Rabbi Mordecai Berdugo, was a dayan, a scholar, and an influential Moroccan rabbi.

Berdugo was respected by his contemporaries; his decisions continue to be a source of inspiration to Moroccan rabbis. He was regarded by his peers as an excellent speaker with a great natural authority, who did not shirk from conflict with the notables. He did not limit himself to his role as a dayan, but was also a community activist. Berdugo led the shohatim to abandon their old customs and follow the Castilian customs. He also introduced reforms in the laws of inheritance, for example the inheritance of a husband and children in case of the death of a wife.

Berdugo had a number of adversaries. One of them was Rabbi Baruch Toledano. Their controversies were quite heated and have remained famous.

Berdugo is listed as a saint in Culte des Saints et Pélerinages Judéo-Musulmans au Maroc. Rabbi Raphael married a daughter of the Mashbir and had four sons.

List of publications by Raphael Berdugo, some unpublished, and some published by Rabbi Chalom Messas: