Rabbi Shimon Tzvi Hurwitz (Horowitz)

Was known in Jerusalem as “Rabbi Shimon Kabbalist” or “Rabbi Shimon Lieder” after his native city. In 1906, together with Rabbi Chaim Yehudah Leib Auerbach, established the Sha’ar HaShamayim Yeshiva for study of the wisdom of Kabbalah, and taught Kabbalah in the Yeshiva for forty years. On the second day of Rosh HaShanah 1947 he passed away in the Motza neighborhood where he secluded himself as was his usual manner during Rosh HaShanah, and by special permit his funeral took place that day, from Motza to Jerusalem.

In 5660 (1900) Rabbi Horowitz traveled to the Far East together with a Yemenite Jew, following a well organized plan. They started their trip in the city of Aden, in Yemen, from where they went to Calcutta, in India. They then continued to Burma, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Their next stop was Shanghai. Their plan was to reach Kai-Fong-Fu, one of the most ancient cities in China, but they were forced to turn back because of the dangers on the roads.

Here is an anecdote from Rabbi Horowitz's memoirs:

"When I was traveling from India to China I was close to the mountains of Afghanistan, above the city of Kabul, and I saw that the mountain people were tall, with beards, and that they wore long black garments. They were different from all the other people of India, and I became convinced that they were Jews. So I ran towards them to greet them and speak to them. But it was all in vain, for I did not understand their language and they did not understand mine. After investigating the matter, I found that some of these people lived in Calcutta, and that they were Moslems who believed in Allah. But the hidden Jews are very far away, behind those mountains..."

Shaar Hashamayim Yeshiva 71 Rashi St. Mekor Baruch Jerusalem

http://www.shaarhashamayim.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaar_Hashamayim_Yeshiva http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shaar-Hashamayim-Yeshiva/109273199091969

Founded in 1906 by Rabbi Chaim Yehuda Leib Auerbach, author of Chacham Lev, and kabbalist Rabbi Shimon Tzvi Horowitz, for the purpose of teaching and studying the kabbalah of the Arizal (Rabbi Isaac Luria).

Books: Ohr HaMeir V’Kol Mevaser (on the redemption, the Ten Lost Tribes and the obligation to study Kabbalah).Jerusalem, 1907.

Metzios Aseres haShvatim (Finding the Ten Lost Tribes) 1901

Sanguria - Jerusalem 1940