Rabbi Akiva Hakohen Katz, ABD Saloniki (Alter of Salonika) - Consultation with Professor Micheal L. Miller

Do you have a link to the Hebrew online?

Private User Thanks for the input. I have tried to search for the book here: https://hebrewbooks.org/home.aspx. But my browser is reversing the letter order when I copy and paste so I am having no luck with the search.

The book may possibly be here as well: https://tablet.otzar.org/#/

Private User

the book: כתובות מבית-העלמין היהודי העתיק בפראג".
can be purchased in several places through an online order, it costs: NIS 320(about 90$)

In addition, the book is in the National Library in Jerusalem

But, I didn't understand how a book that has information about Mobtzots in Prague, would give information about Rabbi Akiva Katz,Buried in Saloniki, Greece

Thanks very much Haim. As I recall, HaGaon Rabbi Akiva HaCohen Katz, of Ofen (grandson of Alter of Salonika), did move to Prague, so perhaps that is why this book was suggested. We shall have to wait until someone can access the book.// I, and others, have looked through the book of lists of matevot in Salonika and there was no record of R' Akiva of Salonika being buried there. It is possible that he is laid to rest somewhere else, perhaps near Constantinople. Nothing seems to be certain in this investigation.

PS: I would be glad to find the matzeva of R' Akiva HaGaon as wel (which may be in Prague)l. It would be a step forward to confirm in stone that his father was Yitzach of Galata.

Private User

Thanks,I worked on this branch a long time ago, I will try to check again if it says where he was buried.

Regarding tombstones: As you know, many tombstones were broken, and during the Nazi regime entire cemeteries were destroyed by them and their allies, so we may not be able to locate the tombstone... I really hope we do find.

Private User

I checked, it is written about him in many sources, but no source says where he was buried. His son moved to Prague, so your assumption that he also moved to live there and was buried there is certainly possible

Much appreciated Haim. Considering the lack of information Dr. Miller has on this topic and our lack of findings, I conclude that there is no further historical information available on the prior ancestry of R'Akiva the Elder. There is still the possibility of identifying a modern descendant of R' Akiva to find out if they are in one of the J-Z18271 branches. This could confirm the R' Akiva legend of descent from one of the Aharon HaCohen branches. We've done everything humanly possible, now is it up to the divine plan.

Private User

If you remember: we know that through his father he is son after son to Aharon Hachoen, and through one of his ancient mothers he is a descendant of
Rabbi Yehudah HeChassid
I am his descendant through my grandmother, I thought that through my grandfather I am his son after his son, but Naftali Wakstein told me that The son-in-law of the Maharal from Prague:
Rabbi Yitzhak haKohen Katz, [Maharal s.in law]
There was no descendant of Rabbi Akiva Katz of Saloniki and this is a known forgery that was copied into many books