Seder ha-Tephiloth: Tephilath Daniel (Hebrew ).

(LITURGY)

Menora, October

Sofia

1946

According to the Sephardic rite of Balkans. With instructions in Judeo-Espanol and text translated into Bulgarian. Prepared by Daniel S. Zion

Rare prayer-book published in Bulgaria immediately after World War II under the Soviet-backed Communist (and atheist) regime that displaced the monarchy Daniel S. Zion was a remarkably courageous personality who dared stand up for the rights of the Jews during the dark years of World War II, when Bulgaria was a member of the Axis, and its’ King Boris regularly called to Berchtesgaden for consultation with Der Führer. Rabbi Zion presented King Boris with a “letter from God” that he said came to him in mystical inspiration. This divine warning to the monarch partially contributed to the fact that none of Bulgaria's Jews were ever sent to the death camps. After the war, Rabbi Zion was appointed Chief Rabbi of Bulgaria. For the full story of this enigmatic chapter in Holocaust history, see B. Naor, Kabbalah and the Holocaust (2001) pp. 49-66; and see EJ IV, cols. 1488-1490