Signed letter by Sir Moshe Montefiore to the heads of the Ashkenazi kollels in Jerusalem led by Rabbi Shmuel Salant, Rabbi Meir Auerbach, Rabbi Meir son of Rabbi Asher Saniklet, and Rabbi Meir Ben Tzion Senik. Sent from London to the Land of Israel in 1876.
In the letter, Montefiore requests that the rabbis divide a donation of six sterling pounds for four purposes: flour for Passover matzahs, for distribution to both the Ashkenazim and Sephardim in Jerusalem (against the backdrop of power struggles between the Ashkenazim and Sephardim in Jerusalem, rumor of which had reached England, Montefiore requests equal distribution to both communities); hachnasat kallah; Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes charities; and to Rabbi Noach Asher HaCohen Epstein of Safed.
The letter’s margins includes Montefiore’s signature in block script. Written on the back of Holy Land stationery. The letter’s back bears a JNF stamp featuring Montefiore’s portrait.
[1] leaf. Ink on letterhead paper. 19×24 cm. Framed in wooden frame with passe-partout. 28×33 cm. Very fine condition. Fold marks.
Two letters from scholarly leaders of the Ashkenazic settlement in Jerusalem, the first to Montefiore and the second to the philanthropist Oppenheimer of Kingsburgh, attached to the letter to Montefiore. Jerusalem, 1858.
The letter from 1858 is signed by:
* Rabbi Yeshaya Bardaki (1790-1863), student of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, son-in-law of Rabbi Yisrael of Sklow. Multifaceted activist for the Jewish settlement in Jerusalem.
* Rabbi Yosef Zundel of Salant (1786-1865) among the greatest of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin’s students, known as “The third mouth of the GR”A” father-in-law of Rabbi Shmuel of Salant, among the heads of the Jewish settlement in Jerusalem.
* Rabbi Shimon Zarchi Av Beit Din of Tevrig (1788-1860) immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1857 and was the first president of Talmud Torah and Yeshivat Etz Chaim, taught Torah in the Churvah of Rabbi Yehudah HeChassid, and did not leave the walls of the city from the day he arrived in Jerusalem until the day of his passing. Tremendous gaon and righteous in all his ways, Shu”t Nachalat Shimon is among his works.
The second letter is signed by Rabbi Y. Z. Salant and Rabbi Yeshaya Bardaki.
[1] page, paper. 28×22 cm. Thin blue paper.
Fold marks, filing holes, aging stains, the color of the leaf is faded at its edges.
Letter signed by Rabbi Shmuel Salant sent to Montefiore’s secretary and right-hand man, Rabbi Dr. Eliezer HaLevi. Its margins bear a special note with greetings for Montefiore and inquiries about his health. Jerusalem, [1868].
The letter is signed twice by Rabbi Salant, with a few stamps with his name.
Thanks for the donation from R’ Shmuel Deutsch of Dublin, given to the Rosh Yeshiva of Etz Chaim, Rabbi Moshe Nechemiah Kahanov, who had just recently returned from his travels to those countries.
Rabbi Shmuel Salant (1816-1909) was the rabbi of Jerusalem for about 70 years. He was a renowned halachic adjudicator, noted for his remarkable memory and quick-witted intelligence. His writings were published in three volumes by his progeny, the Tikuchinsky family of the Etz Chaim Yeshiva.
[1] leaf, paper. 21×13 cm. Blue paper. Very rare.
Fine condition. Blemish with loss to the corner of the leaf, not affecting text.
Letter to Montefiore from Shi”r, on the endpaper of Michtavei Ivrit . Prague, [1863].
The endpaper bears a letter from Rabbi Shlomo Yehudah Rapaport to Moses Montefiore. [1] leaf, paper. On the endpaper it says, “To the Exalted Minister, Great for the Jews, whose Reputation Reaches Distant Nations, Desired by all his Brethren … a Righteous Person and who with his Righteousness, … Moses known as the Honorary Baron Montefiore …”
On the inside of the binding there is an inscription, apparently written to Rabbi Shlomo Yehudah Rapaport, “The Great Genius … may you continue to stand by the breach and fortify … and fight the battle of Torah and Faith …”
Rabbi Shlomo Yehudah Rapaport (Shi”r, 1790-1867) was the son-in-law of Rabbi Aryeh Leib Heller, author of the Ketzot HaChoshen . In 1838, he served as rabbi of Tarnopol, and beginning in 1840 as Av Beit Din in Prague. He later served as rabbi of Prague and often debated and had polemics with colleagues. His studies and essays were the foundations for the modern, scientific, systematic study of Jewish wisdom.
Michtavei Ivrit, edited by Dr. Meir HaLevi Letteris, editor of HaTzefirah, Vienna, 1856. 16, 296 pages. Paper. 18 cm.
Fine condition, minimal stains. Original binding.
Greetings and signature of Rabbi Avraham Shapira, Av Beit Din of Vranov to Sir Moses Montefiore.
Rabbi Avraham Shapira, Av Beit Din of Vranov, was the son of Rabbi Yaakov Shapira of Humenne [prominent disciple of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Riminov and colleague of the author of Bnei Yissachar ]. He was a direct male descendant of the author of Migaleh Amukot – refer to the genealogy in the introduction by his grandson, Rabbi David Shapira, to his Bnei Tzion responsa. His Torah novellae are quoted in his brother-in-law’s work, Shaar Yehudah (Sighet, 1877).
The letter was addressed to Rabbi Zilberman, the initiator of the idea to collate a book of greetings and thanks for Montefiore, an expression of gratitude for all his activities on behalf of his Jewish brothers. He asked all rabbis in the Diaspora to send him their blessings and participate in this project.
[1] leaf, paper. 15×21 cm.
Fine condition, with traces of a wax seal.
Letter by the righteous Rabbi Shmuel Heller, Av Beit Din of Safed, to the merciful, righteous , precious and honest Mrs. Yehudit Montefiore. Safed, 1858.
Additional signature: Chaim Yitzchak [?], with the stamp”פ”ח חברת הדלקת נרות ק”ק אשכנזים דעי”ק צפתו. נתייסד מאת השר משה מ’ ואשתו היהודית הי”ו” “Stamp of Chevrat Hadlakat Nerot of the Ashkenazic community of Safed, founded by the Minister Moshe M. and his wife Yehudit.”
Chevrat Hadlakat Nerot Shabbat in Safed was founded by Moshe Montefiore and his wife Yehudit. In his letter, Rabbi Heller, as the organization’s gabbai, asks that they supplement their contribution to the Chevrat Hadlakat Nerot, since the last donation went entirely to Bikur Cholim and Hachnasat Kallah, as per Montefiore’s request, and nothing remained for the Chevrat Hadlakat Nerot.
Rabbi Shmuel Heller (1803-1884) immigrated to Land of Israel in 1817. He served as rabbi of Safed in 1841 and was one of the greatest Chassidic leaders in the Land of Israel. He passed away in Safed on the 22nd of Tevet, 1884. He authored: Taharat HaKodesh, Derech Nesher, Kavod Melachim, Divrei Mishpat, Shivrei Luchot, and others.
[1] leaf, paper. 13X22 cm. Blue paper.
Condition Very fine. Filing holes, fold marks, fading of the leaves’ color at the edges.
Condolence letter from the leaders of the Hebron community upon the passing of Montefiore, including a note regarding the establishment of a free-loan fund in memory of Montefiore. Hebron, [1885].
The letter was written at the end of Av, 1885, about two weeks after Montefiore’s passing. It was sent to Montefiore’s nephew, Yosef Sebag, and to his loyal secretary, Dr. Eliezer Halevi, who were in charge of his estate. The margins feature a private letter from Rabbi Shimon Menashe Chaiken , in which he relates that when Montefiore was in Hebron he spoke about his wish to establish a free-loan fund. Amazingly, on the very day of Montefiore’s passing, without knowledge of this fact, the fund had been established, and his will fulfilled.
Rabbi Shimon Menashe Chaiken, rabbi of Hebron, was born c. 1802. He moved from Sklow to Safed, and when the Mitteler Rebbe instructed his chassidim to move from Safed to Hebron, he was one of the first to heed this call. In 1843, his name appears as one of the trustees of the Chabad community, and in 1855 he became their rabbi. The Tzemach Tzedek greatly admired and honored him. For fifty years, he led his community in Hebron, until he passed away in 1893.
[1] leaf, paper, 29×22 cm. Black border signalling mourning.
Fine condition, the border is slightly blemished. Tiny tears.
Sharp letter of protest from the leaders of the Ashkenazic community in Tiberias and Rabbi Yosef David Abulafia to Sir Yosef Sebag, nephew of Montefiore. Tiberias, [1888].
In their letter, the rabbis protest the fact that the funds sent to Tiberias were sent to R’ Mottel Ashkenazi [a leader of the Reisen Kollel, grandson of the Chacham Tzvi] and not to Rabbi Avraham Tzvi HaLevi, who was supposed to receive the funds, per Montefiore’s will which stated that the money should be sent to the rabbi of Tiberias. Rabbi HaLevi is a righteous person, accepted by all residents of the city. Includes strong words against Mottel Ashkenazi who triggered this disgrace of the Torah and more.
Signed by: Rabbi Yaakov son of Rabbi Y. A.; Rabbi Itamar Ziv; Rabbi Tzvi Yechiel son of Rabbi S. N. Ch.; Rabbi Yechiel Aharon son of Rabbi M. A.; Rabbi Avraham Beck (son of noted printer, Yisrael Beck); Rabbi Yosef son of Rabbi M. A. and Mahr”m Lidar. With the stamps of the kollel: Ostreich, Wolyn, Reisen and Karlin.
A personal note from the Chacham Bashi of Tiberias, Rabbi Yosef Dovid Abulafia, is on this letter with his signature and stamp.
[1] leaf, paper. 21×28 cm, text on both sides of the page.
Very fine condition.
Letter written by Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Schorr, Av Beit Din of Bucharest to the great Sir Moses Montefiore in [1868].
Written and signed by Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Schorr.
Rabbi Schorr informs Sir Montefiore “that the enemies restrict us on all sides and in the city of Calarasi and Berland there were travails for the Jews that weren’t heard and will not be heard of anymore … and our only consolation is that certainly the salvation will come soon, and just as Moses took us from slavery to freedom and from servitude to redemption, so too Hash-m sent Sir Moses, our master, to save us from our enemies and to negate the plans of our enemies.” (Rabbi Schorr refers to the rioting and looting of December 1867, when rioters entered Berland and 200 Jews were robbed and left with nothing.) … He also thanks Montefiore for sending an English book that discussed Jewish-gentile relationships. Rabbi Schorr is sorry that he didn’t received the letter that had been included with the book. He asks for a copy of the letter, since Sir Montefiore’s letters are very precious to him.
The margins of the letter feature a poem in honor of Montefiore with an acrostic of his name.
Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Schorr Av Beit Din of Bucharest (1836-1894) was the grandson and disciple of Rabbi Aharon Moshe Taubes, author of Karnei Re’em (which he edited). He served as rabbi of Bucharest for almost thirty years and was very influential. He was extremely well-versed in Torah, was a halachic arbiter and had an expansive knowledge of many subjects ( Encylopedia L’Chachmei Romania, section two, p. 735).
[1] page, blue paper.
Fine condition, fold marks, small tears in the margins.
Very rare letter signed by the leaders of the Reisen Kollel, all lofty people and cornerstones of the chassidic community in Tiberias. The letter features Torah thoughts and a blessing for Sir Moses Montefiore for his help on behalf of the Jewish community in Tiberias. Tiberias, [1855].
The letter is signed by the “trustees and supervisors of the Kollel Reisen community in the Holy City, Tiberias.”
* Rabbi Menachem Eliezer – brother of Rabbi Moshe of Kobrin. He immigrated to Tiberias in 1833 and passed away during his brother’s lifetime, in 1856. At first he was the assistant of Rabbi Shaul Harker, but after the latter’s passing, he became a leader of Kollel Reisen and the first signatory.
* Rabbi Chaim David Eliyahu son of Natan Nota – leader of the chassidic community. Born in Jerusalem, he passed away in Tiberias in 1869. He was the son-in-law of Rabbi Shaul Harker [son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh, one of the leaders of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk’s group, and Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk]. Refer to Nachlat Tzvi , booklet 16, p. 145.
* Rabbi Menachem Mendel son of Mordechai – Epstein of Minsk, father-in-law of Rabbi Noach Weinberg [father of Admor Avraham of Slonim, author of Birkat Avraham. In other words, Rabbi Mendel was the grandfather of this Admor.] He was known as “Rabbi Mendel Reischer.” He was well-respected, and his opinion carried weight regarding decisions in Tiberias, and even the Arabs admired him. Refer to Yesod HaMaaleh for more information regarding these signatories.
[1] leaf, paper. 20×29 cm.
Very fine. Filing holes, fold marks.
Letter from Jerusalem’s illustrious sages, Ashkenazic and Sephardic rabbis to the noble and generous intercessor, Sir Moses Montefiore. Jerusalem, 1859.
The letter is signed in the personal handwriting of: The Rishon LeTzion Rabbi Chaim Nissim Abulafia, Rabbi Shmuel Salant, Rabbi Yeshaya Bardekey, and Rabbi Nissan Beck.
They write as follows: After the greetings, we wish to inform you of our receipt of our honorable Sir’s letter … containing the ten sterling pounds of succor from our honorable Sir, of assistance to the Bikur Cholim and Hachnasat Kallah organizations, in support of the poor among Hash-m’s People who lie in utter destitution, and also in aid of poor or orphaned brides … The 24 brothers, heads and leaders of the holy Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities.
Rishon LeTzion Rabbi Chaim Nissim Abulafia – Known as HaRav Chann”ah, was born in Tiberias in 1798 and served in the local rabbinate many years. In 1855 he became the rabbi of Jerusalem and Rishon LeTzion until his passing in 1861.
Rabbi Shmuel Salant (1816-1909), rabbi of Jerusalem and leader of the Ashkenazic community for nearly half a century, immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1841 and subsequently served in various positions in Jerusalem for seventy years. He was the head of all charitable activities and Torah institutions in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Yeshaya Bardekey (1790-1863) head of the Ashkenazic community in Jerusalem, disciple of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, and son-in-law of Rabbi Yisrael of Shklov, author of Pe’at HaShulchan. He immigrated to Safed in 1810, and after the earthquake in 1837, moved to Jerusalem and stood at the head of the Ashkenazic settlement.
Rabbi Nissan Beck , son of the renowned printer Rabbi Yisrael Beck, and ran the publishing house after his father, a faithful disciple of the Admor Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin and his son, the Admor of Sadigura. He was one of the greatest Jewish activists in Jerusalem.
[1] leaf, paper. 21×21 cm. Blue paper.
Condition Very fine. Filing holes.
Lengthy letter written by Rabbi Chaim Yosef Pollack, Av Beit Din of Trebic, beloved disciple of the Chatam Sofer. Rabbi Pollack praises Sir Moses Montefiore at length and details his activities on behalf of his brothers, the Jews in Tangier, Safi, Marrakesh and more. Trebic, 1864.
Rabbi Chaim Yosef Pollack, Av Beit Din of Trebic (1799-1889) was born in Trebic, Moravia. He was a disciple of Rabbi Elazar Loew, author of Shemen Rokeach and a beloved, close disciple of the Chatam Sofer. His teacher conducted his wedding ceremony and gave him the title “Moreinu” on his wedding day. He is noted for his Mekor Chaim elucidation on the Akeidat Yitzchak (Pressurg, 1849). Refer to: HaChatam Sofer V’Talmidav , p. 149.
[1] leaf, paper. 30×23 cm. All in his hand, and with his signature and stamp. The letter from 1864 was addressed to Rabbi Zilberman (mistakenly termed here Av Beit Din of of Lyck], who decided to create a book of well-wishes from all Jewish communities to send to Montefiore.
Fine condition, fold marks.
Letter written by Rabbi Gedalya Tiktin, rabbi of Breslau, to the great Sir Moses Montefiore on the fifth of the Ten Days of Repentance [1858].
Letter Content: “Sir should find enclosed 52 pounds … Sir Rothschild and his honor should forgive with compassion and send this amount with the enclosed letter to Jerusalem to … Rabbi Moshe Leib Zilberberg, previously Av Beit Din in Kutno, Poland … his friend who inquires as to his well being, busy with various concerns, Gedalya Tiktin.”
Rabbi Gedalya Tiktin, Av Beit Din Breslau [1808-1886] was the son of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman, rabbi of Breslau, son of Rabbi Avraham Tiktin, author of Petach HaBayit . Like his father, he feverishly battled Geiger and his friends and other Reform societies in Silesia.
[1] page, blue paper. Written, signed and stamped by Rabbi Gedalya Tiktin.
Fine condition, fold marks, the paper is faded at is margins, small tears.
Letter from Rabbi Yisrael Eliyahu Plotkin of Minsk, to Sir Moses Montefiore. Petersburg, [1872].
Letter Content: Perhaps Montefiore would be interested in subsidizing the printing of his new elucidation on the building of the Holy Temple described in Ezekiel, with the addition of a sketch of the Holy Temple. The author writes that, thank G-d, the Jewish people is not widowed, and he will find someone to help fund the publication. However, since he had been together with Montefiore in Petersburg at the time, “I said … this will also be published through the honorary Sir Moses Montefiore … when he visited Russia for the second time.” The book was printed, under the title Biur Ben Shlomo in Petersburg, in 1875.
[1] leaf, paper. 21×27 cm. Nice block handwriting.
Very fine, fold marks.
Letter signed by the rabbis of Marrakesh, Rabbi Rephael Yosef Charush, Rabbi Avraham son of Mucha and Rabbi Menachem HaTzarfati. Marrakesh, [1885].
Thank you letter for funds sent from R’ Avraham Sonbol’s bequest, with a note that the the yeshiva had been named for him. Sent to Rabbi Dr. Eliezer HaLevi, Sir Moses Montefiore’s personal secretary and right-hand man.
Avraham Sonbol was a philanthropist who moved from Morocco to Europe. He lived in England and then Altona, where he passed away. He dedicated his estate to establish a beit medrash in Marrakesh. After the letter was written, but before it was sent, the news reached Morocco that Sir Montefiore had passed away. The rabbis added their condolences in the margins, with their signatures. For more information regarding the signatories, refer to Malchei Rabanan.
[1] leaf, paper. 30×20 cm.
Fine condition. The paper in the margins is slightly brittle.
Thank you letter for a donation sent by Rabbi David Isaacs, from Liverpool, England through Sir Moses Montefiore, and a notice that the funds were distributed to the members of the Holland-Deutschland Kollel. Signed by the noted heads of the kollel: R’ Moshe Zaks and R’ Yehuda Leib Goldschmidt. Jerusalem, [1856]. Very rare.
The Holland-Deutschland Kollel was founded by German and Dutch immigrants that settled in Jerusalem in the 19th century. The kollel’s most significant project was the construction of “Batei Machseh,” the largest neighborhood in the Old City of Jerusalem.
R’ Moshe Zaks (1800-1870) was one of the first German immigrants and the patriarch of the Zaks family in Jerusalem. For over forty years, he actively advanced the needs of the settlement in the Land of Israel. He helped found Batei Machseh, raised funds for the kollel in Europe, and published many articles in the newspapers of the time.
R’ Yehuda Leib Goldschmidt immigrated from Holland. He was a founder and leader of the kollel and helped guides its unique approach. (Refer to: Frumkin, Toldot Chachmei Yerushalayim , section three, p. 257, 260. Sinai , volume 62, p. 172).
[1] leaf, paper. 21×27 cm. Thin blue paper.
Fine Condition. Fold marks. Filing holes, aging stains, the leaf is faded at its edges.
Letter from two Jerusalem residents asking Sir Montefiore to give them his orchard, which was currently untilled and full of thorns and weeds. They obligate themselves to cultivating the land with their own hands, with reference letters from the rabbis of Hebron.
In addition, Rabbi Shimon Menashe Chaiken, Av Beit Din of Hebron, wrote a letter to Montefiore, recommending these people. He attested that they were honest and trustworthy and that it was worthwhile to give them the orchard so that they could plant and sow and fix the breaches. The two also agreed to live on the property.
Kabbalist Rabbi Eliyahu Suleman Meni, rabbi of the Sephardic community in Hebron, added his name to this letter.
[2] pages, paper. 21×26 cm.
Very fine condition. Fold marks.
Letter filled with praise and admiration in honor of the great Sir Moses Montefiore, signed by the Botosani rabbis, and community leaders and financiers. Romania, 1864].
Among the praise and accolades, Botosani’s rabbis enumerate Montefiore’s lofty deeds and many journeys. The following is a short quote: “…and he is the Moses who breeched the gap for his brethren in Damascus and silenced liars’ mouths, who advocated his nation’s deliverance in St. Petersberg [enabling them to] dwell in safety, sojourned to Rome to return the captive lamb to G-d’s fold, approached the king of Turkey to help his brother in distress, and is presently in Morocco to say to the prisoners, ‘Go free’…”
The letter was sent to Rabbi Eliezer Zilberman with the intent of printing it in a book that includes letters of thanks and blessings from all Diaspora communities in honor of Montefiore – the book was not published.
The first signatory is probably the Ga’on Rabbi Shalom Taubash, Av Beit Din of Botosani, author of Responsa She’ilat Shalom . We could not decipher his signature, but written alongside the first signature is: “The Rabbi of Botosani,” and Rabbi Taubash was the rabbi of Botosani that year.
28×22 cm, blue paper, with rabbinical signatures and stamp “Kahal Botsan.”
Fine condition. folding creases, aging stains.
Letter signed by the Rishon LeTzion, Rabbi Chaim David Chazan to Sir Moses Montefiore. Jerusalem, [1862].
In 1862, R’ Bechor Meyuchas, a prominent Jerusalem communal activist, sent out a press release stating that due to the difficult economic situation in Jerusalem, and the fact that the rabbis are ignoring the situation, the residents of the city chose him as their leader so that he could help improve their status and situation. The Jerusalem rabbis, of course, viewed Meyuchas’ activities as a danger to the charity institutions. [In addition, Meyuchas was a friend of the English consul, whose donations were triggered by missionary motives.] The Rishon LeTzion wrote this sharp letter to Rabbi Natan Adler and Sir Moses Montefiore, accusing Meyuchas of brazenness, insolence, and the literal destruction of Jerusalem.
The Rishon LeTzion, Rabbi Chaim David Chazan, known as ח”ד בדרא [unique in his generation, a play in his initials, ח”ד] wrote the Nadiv Levi responsa. The son of the author of the Chikrei Lev , he was born in Izmir in 1791. From 1840 through 1855, he was the chief rabbi of Izmir, until he moved to Jerusalem. He took over the position as Rishon LeTzion after the passing of Rabbi Nissim Abulafia, a position he filled until his own passing in 1869. He was very active in helping and assisting the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel.
Rare, historic letter about a little known episode (Refer to: Yerushalayim bein HaChomot p. 25-26).
[1] leaf, paper. 22×26 cm. Blue paper, signed by Rabbi Chazan, with his personal stamp.
Very fine condition. Minimal aging stains.
Poem of praise in Aramaic in honor of the 100th birthday of Sir Moses Montefiore, signed by the rabbis and leaders of the מאדיאראש community in 1885.
Starts with a poem with an acrostic that spells out Moses Montefiore, followed by a lengthy letter with blessings, Torah thoughts and a request that Montefiore serve as a member of the society established in the city, and that they are prepared to do everything designated by the righteous Av Beit Din of London.
Signatories: Rabbi Yosef Chaim Tzvi Geist, Av Beit Din of מאדיאראש, Avraham Bergfeld, Shraga Fishel Baumsweig, Yosef Aharon Schwartz, Chaim ben Hillel. Red wax seal.
[3] pages, paper. 16×21 cm.
Very fine condition.
Eulogy delivered by Rabbi Reuven Yeshaya Klinger, Av Beit Din of Saveni, upon the passing of Sir Moses Montefiore, in the Great Synagogue of Tiberias on the 18th of Av, 1885.
Rabbi Reuven Yeshaya Klinger, Av Beit Din of Saveni, moved to Jerusalem in 1860, and then to Safed and Tiberias. He set off on a number of fundraising trips for the Torah institutions of the Holy Land. He authored Klil Tiferet Moshe regarding Montefiore’s trip to Jerusalem, Ma’ase HaMenorah for Baron Rothschild and more.
[9] pages, paper. 21×31 cm. The first leaf is styled like a printed title page. All the text is neat and organized and in a nice script.
Very fine Condition.
Book of prayers and songs written especially in honor of Montefiore with letters that were sent to or from Montefiore. The book was printed by the well-known publisher R’ Yosef Katz of London after the Minister’s trip to Morocco.
In 1864, a blood libel developed against the Jews of Morocco following the murder of a Spanish clerk in Safi. Moses Montefiore went to Morocco to meet with the sultan Muhammad IV to request the release of the victims of the plot and equalization of the status of the Jews to the other residents of Morocco. After the meeting, the sultan came out with a declaration in which he promised the Jews justice and equality.
225 pages 19 cm. Very fine condition, especially beautiful binding with gilt writing and decorations.
Five prayer booklets published to commemorate important events related to Sir Moses Montefiore and prayers for the success of his missions on behalf of Jewish communities throughout the world.
* Tefillah L’Moshe – special prayer written to mark Sir Moses Montefiore’s 100th birthday. From the eve of Monday, the 8th of Cheshvan, 1885, London. 11 pages. 21 cm. Hebrew and English on facing pages.
* Prayer for the success of Sir Montefiore’s mission to save the Jews of Damascus during the Damascus Blood Libel. London, 1840. Rare booklet, listed by the Bibliography of the Hebrew Book according to the copy in the Bar Ilan library, not in the National Library. [3] pages, 21 cm. Hebrew and English.
* Kol Rinah – prayer booklet published in honor of the founding of the Sha’ar HaShamayim Synagogue for the Sephardic community, named for Moses Montefiore. London, 1860. 7 pages. 21 cm. Hebrew and English.
* Thanksgiving Prayer Service Upon the Rescue of the Jews of the Orient through Moses Montefiore’s Mission , Congregation Shaar HaShamayim. London, 1841. 10, 10 pages. 21 cm. Hebrew and English on facing pages.
* Thanksgiving Prayer Service Upon the Rescue of the Jews of Romania through Moses Montefiore’s Mission . The last three pages feature correspondence from Moses Montefiore (in English), and Carol I of Romania’s declaration regarding the rights of the Jews (in Romanian). For Congregation Shaar HaShamayim. London, 1867. 13, 3 pages. 20 cm. Hebrew and English on facing pages.
Varying sizes and conditions. Overall fine-very fine condition.
Travelogue by Judith Montefiore, printed for private use. The title page bears a handwritten inscription on her behalf. Impressions that she wrote in her journal during the couple’s second visit in 1839. From Ramsgate to Palestine.
Judith Montefiore (1784-1862) was the wife of famed Sir Moses Montefiore. She accompanied him on many of his trips, and she wrote this book after their second visit to Palestine in 1839. During this trip, Judith began her custom of writing her thoughts in her travel journal. The book was not printed for commercial use and was just distributed to her friends.
The title page bears the handwritten note, “To A de symmonds esq. With lady Montefiore best regards.”
410 pages. 19.5 cm. Printed on the title page “not published”.
Fine condition. Original binding.
