Kohen Melaku of Lakomelza (1037-) was the Court Rabbi of Axum under King Dawit II of Axum, succeeding Rabbi Atoberhan of Ambaras, as well as the High Almoner and the Kohen of Lakomelza.
Biography[]
Melaku was born in 1037 to a lowborn Ethiopian Jewish family. Melaku succeeded Rabbi Atoberhan of Ambaras as Court Rabbi of Axum after King Dawit II of Axum appointed him to the title himself. Melaku was a skilled religious authority who converted the goyim of Axum to Judaism. On 24 June 1079 he accused Baron Desta of Adigrat of being a heretic, so King Dawit sent Melaku a chastising letter while apologizing to Desta. To heal relations, however, he made Melaku the High Almoner. He also entrusted Melaku with the education of his daughter Belkis Gideon. Melaku was also responsible for the educations of his other children later on.
On 18 May 1086 Melaku was granted a noble title, and he was made the Kohen of Lakomelza. The Yehaids became a noble dynasty, and he gained a fief. On 26 June 1091 the Monophysite heresy appeared in Lakomelza, so Melaku had to head to the province and proselyitze the people to Judaism.