In the winter of 1532 on 5 Teves 5293, HaKadosh Rav Shlomo Molcho was burnt at the stake at age 31 in Mantuba, Italy, after refusing the emperor's pardon on condition that he convert back to Christian, he chose instead to be mekadesh shem shomayim.
His last words were "Regarding this that I lived with this religion (Christianity), my heart is bitter and troubled. Now do as is good in your eyes and let my soul return to her Fathers home like her youth, for it was better for me then then now". He called out the words of Shma Yisroel. Because of his martyrdom, many refer to Rav Shlomo Molcho as Ha'Kadosh 'the holy one.'
His seforim include: Sefer Hamefoar - a collection of derashos from during his travels, mostly in Italy.
In the introduction to Sefer Hamefoar Rabbi Shlomo Molcho includes a small poem composed from verses found in Tehilim 119, with the first letter of each line spelling out his name.
Chayas Kanah - Describes visions seen by the author and the Kabalistic mysteries that were revealed to him through dreams includes autobiographical information about his personal life.
A number of Rav Shlomo Molcho's personal effects are on display at the Jewish Museums of Prague. These include his robe and flags. These were originally given over to Rav Yoslimon when he met with Rav Shlomo Molcho before his meeting with the emperor Charles. Eventually they were stored in the Pinchas Shul. It seems that the Tzitzis and one flag were lost over the years.
In Hilchos Tzizis the Magen Avraham cites the minhag of Rav Shlomo Molcho: that the number of times we wind the threads around equals the gematria of the Shem Havaya. This is achieved by winding the shmash ten times around the first set of knots, then five, six and ten.
Rav Shlomo Malcho also had his Tzizis strings dyed green techeleis. In his commentary on the Rosh, the Tosfos Yom Tov cites this minhag mentioning that he himself saw Rav Shlomo Malcho's Tzitzis on display in the Pinchas Shul of Prague where he studied before he was appointed Av Bais Din. The Tzizis were made from silk with a yellowish greenish tint. The strings are dyed green.
A copy of Rav Shlomo Molcho's signature has been preserved, where he lengthens the lamed into the 'Flag of Yisroel' as part of the design.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe z"ya wrote:
Rav Shlomo Molcho was a great Kabbalist who was moser nefesh to debate with the Pope in Rome in his quest to bring the final redemption.
The generation however was unworthy of this and he merited martydom to be burned al kiddush Hashem (that the author of the Bais Yosef davened for all his life to merit). He left behind his sefer as well as a flag that hangs in the Maharal's shul in Prague and this strengthens our faith and emuna in the geulah.
(Rav Menachem Mendel Schneerson Sichah Parshas Tzav Shushan Purim )תשי''ד
