Auction No. 098
Holy books, Manuscripts, Rabbinical & Admors letters, Americana & Judiaca
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An extremely interesting letter of apology from Rabbi Chizkiyahu Chaim Medini author of the Sdei Chemed, which he publicized after he became known through his great work Sdei Chemed and many people began to turn to him, in both halachic and personal matters. He apologizes that he can not satisfy everyone with his responses. At the end is a personal letter with his signature.
Specifications: [4] pages, 29x21 cm. The letter was printed in 1895, and the additional handwritten letter was written in 1897.
Unique Features: In his long letter, the Sdei Chemed describes six types of letters which he typically receives, and for each type gently and sensitively writes if he can deal with the matter and respond to it or not.
1. Letters of comments on his books - He is happy to receive them, as long as they are not in Ashkenazi handwriting, which he does not know how to read.
2. Practical halachic questions - He has accepted upon himself not to respond to them.
3. Requests for donations - There is no money in this country, Crimea, and the letters are wasted.
4. To pray for the sick and so forth - I am not worthy of these being sent to me, it is better to turn to righteous people and Rebbes.
5. Approbations and letters of recommendation - I do not provide them.
6. To send charity through him - He is willing to do so if it's for the poor people of the Land of Israel, and accepts upon himself to send the money and to provide receipts, etc.
The letter was appended to the Sdei Chemed books (apparently not to all of the copies) which were published at the time, and he also distributed them to people who wrote to him.
In the margins of this letter, there is a personal letter from the Sdei Chemed to Rabbi Shaul Yedidya Shachat, in which he writes that he does not get involved in communal matters, as stated in the public letter, and gives him advice on what to do. His signature is at the bottom of the page - Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini, known as "Chacham".
Condition: Moderate-fine. Folding marks, aging stains. A few tears, some of which are professionally restored.
A request for support in light of the great financial and security hardships in Safed, given to the emissary, the complete sage the excellent Dayan, Rafael Yisrael Kimchi.
Specifications: [1] double paper leaf, 21x33 cm.
Content: A detailed description of the suffering of the Jews of Safed: "Who are struggling in poverty, in evil and in thirst and have nothing...and they have no savior...and they cry out not knowing what to do and from where their salvation will arrive...and we do not know what to do when evil people arise...and their swords feast on flesh, as they have no masters and there are no brave soldiers to help...".
Unique Features: The letter is signed by Rabbi Moshe ben Rafael Mordechai Malchi, Rabbi Daniel Kapasto, Rabbi Yaakov Ninu, Rabbi Rafael Michael Melamed, Rabbi Yekutiel Ashkenazi, Rabbi Yaakov Vilna (Elyashar) - the grandfather of the "Yisa Bracha".
Background: Rabbi Moshe Malchi was the brother of Rabbi Ezra Malchi, Rabbi of Rhodes. Rabbi Chaim Ben Atar referred to him as "Beloved of my soul, the great Rabbi".
Rabbi Daniel Kapasto immigrated from Italy to Safed in 1715, gave an approbation to the book "Hon Ashir" by Rabbi Emmanuel Chai Riki. Rabbi Daniel was a rich man when he arrived in Israel and was appointed as the parnas of the congregation. Over time, he lost all of his money until he was forced to ask for assistance from others.
Condition: Fine-very fine. Folding marks, aging stains.
A loan document with an extension and a re-mortgaging of the community's pledge, in the second generation after the expulsion from Spain, with Rabbi Shmuel son of Yitzchak Assiag.
Specifications: [2] pages of paper, 21x28 cm. Sephardi handwriting on both sides.
Unique Features: An ancient and important document. Signed by Rabbi Sa'adyah son of Amron Fedida "scribe", Rabbi Shmuel son of Yosef Assiag "scribe", Rabbi Yaakov Tzarfati and others. Rabbis and heads of the Fez community a generation after the expulsion from Spain are mentioned in it, among them: Rabbi Yosef Uziel, Rabbi Avraham Avizirdel, Rabbi Shlomo Cohen Elchadad, Rabbi Chaim HaCohen son of Moshe, Shamtuv Benesatun HaLevi, Yosef Nachmias son of Moshe, Yitzchak Sanans, Avraham Yisrael, Yaakov Elazar, Nissim son of Zichri, Maimon Azourdov, Rabbi Eliezer Kalhorano and others.
Condition: Moderate. Folding marks, worming holes, wear at the edge of the leaf with damage to text, scotch tape for reinforcement on the folding marks.
![Appeal for help from the Hebron sages to the Modena community, [1727]](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/sale_098-public/366.jpg)
Letter from the sages of Hebron to the Modena community for money from the "redeeming captives" fund for rescuing them, in light of their financial situation and the troubles they were undergoing.
Specifications: [1] doubled leaf, 24x36 cm.
Unique features: Historic letter testifying to the conditions in the 18th century community: "due to the wars...in the past three years in this city, and there were two factions, on both sides of us, and we sit between them, Aram in front of us and Plishtim behind us, and every day there are unusual deaths...and most of dying....and in addition, the bows of both factions threaten to plunder our holy court and burn a number of sifrei Torah." The writers describe the difficult financial situation due to the interest-bearing debts that they cannot pay.
The letter is signed by Rabbi Avraham ben Archa, Rabbi Dovid Melamed and Rabbi Yisrael HaKohen, the first Hebron fundraisers; Rabbi Chaim Yosef Elyashir ben Rabbi Avraham; Rabbi Yosef Kashtil; and Rabbi Yisrael Zeevi. The letter also mentions Rabbi Avraham Gedalya z"l and Rabbi Yom Tov Krispi z"l, as previous fundraisers to Italy.
Background: Rabbi Dovid Melamed was born in Jerusalem. He was a rabbi and sage and son-in-law of Rabbi Avraham Yisrael Zeevi. He later moved to Hebron and was sent on a fundraising mission with Rabbi Yisrael Cohen. In 1772, he was appointed Chief Rabbi of Hebron. A reponsum of his, printed in Mayim Chaim, prohibits the bathing in a mikva with hot water on Shabbat.
Condition: Very fine. Fold marks, wear at the edge of the leaf, not affecting text. Aging stains.
Letter to noted philanthropist Yitzchak Shimu regarding the desperate need for assistance, for the three thousand Jews of Jerusalem who were in danger of starving to death due to the drought.
Specifications: [1] leaf, paper, 28x21 cm. Sephardic script.
Unique features: Stamps of sages and community activists, including: The Chacham Bashi Rabbi Avraham Ashkenazi; Moshe Benveneste; Yaakov Valro; Chaim (?) Nissim Baruch; Refael Meir Panigel and his stamp as the head of the council of Sephardic Jews in Jerusalem.
Background: Rabbi Avraham Ashkenazi was born in Larissa, Greece and was the rabbi of Jerusalem for thirty years and Rishon L'Tzion. Rabbi Eliyahu Meni addressed him with profusive honorofics.
Condition: Fine-very fine. Fold marks and small tears along the fold.
![Letter from Rabbi Avraham Gedalia to the Modena community. Venice, [1745]](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/sale_098-public/368.jpg)
Letter from Rabbi Avraham Gedalya of Venice sent to Modena, on behalf of the Hebron charity fund, [1745].
Specifications: [1] doubled leaf, 28x20 cm.
Unique features: The letter is addressed to "the ministers and philanthropists and sages who stand on their task...the trustees in the praiseworthy city Modena..." (excerpt from the note on the back page), from "the exile who wanders from corner to corner, for my brethern I ask...Avraham Gedalya..." The letter was written and signed by the fundraiser.
Background: Rabbi Avraham Gedalya was a Hebron fundraiser, appointed by the sages of Hebron. He was a signer on the letter appointing Rabbi Amram ben Diwane as a fundraiser, together with Rabbi Aharon Elfandri, Rabbi Chaim Yehuda Gometz Fato, Rabbi Chaim Rachamim Bejaio, Eliyahu n Archa and Rabbi Pinchas Mordecha Bejaio.
Condition: Very fine. Aging stains, fold marks.
Letter appointing fundraiser Shmuel Shalom on behalf of the rabbis of Hebron, 1668.
Specifications: [1] doubled leaf, 24x20 cm. One page letter, the back is addressed to someone - without a name.
Unique features: The letter describes the difficult, painful, hungry conditions in Hebron. "For five years, one after another." It describes the needs of the Hebron poor, the activities of the Torah sages and the facilities, "for our brethren who come to pray at the graves of our holy Patriarchs and Matriachs." The fundraiser was sent to notify the Jewish communities of the terrible troubles and to enlist them in saving the Jewish community in Hebron: "To beg before our brethren to pay attention and have pity on their brothers...so that the sons should not be exiled from the table of their fathers."
The document is signed by Hebron sages: Rabbi Shlomo Ashkenazi, Rabbi Yitzchak Chaim ben Jamal, Rabbi Levi Namiash, Rabbi Shalom (Shlomo?) ben Yosef, Rabbi Barzilai HaKohen of Rhodes, Rabbi Yitzchak Faish, Rabbi Chanina Esparial of Izmir.
Background: Rabbi Yitzchak Faish moved from Ashkenaz to Safed. He then moved to Jerusalem where he attached himself to the Sephardic sages. He was loyal to the Sephardic community during the "shaliach u'meshulach" controversy, and here his signature is Sephardic.
Rabbi Chanina Esparial was a Safed rabbi who was in Hebron in 1661. He authored novellae on many tractates, and left behind halachic responsa about which he corresponded with Rabbi Aharon ben Chaim and his brother, Rabbi Refael Esparial, a disciple of the Maharit.
Condition: Fine, the addressee's name is erased [possibly משה מוהר"ר], aging stains, fold marks.
A letter of dispatch written in Marseilles and signed in Paris, Martino and Amsterdam.
Specifications: [1] leaf, 19x24 cm.
Unique Features: A letter of dispatch written in Marseilles by Rabbi Yitzchak Shukrun of Tetuan and by the Rabbi of the city of Trieste in Italy, Rabbi Avraham Colognia, when he was in Paris on February 10, 1820. There is also an approbation from Rabbi Mordechai Druko Martino. On the rear side of the leaf is the signature of Rabbi Daniel son of Rabbi David di Ozida in Amsterdam.
Condition: Moderate-fine, folding signs, tears and reinforcements.
![Letters from Jerusalem sages to Italian communities [2]. 19th century](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/sale_098-public/371_1.jpg)
![Letters from Jerusalem sages to Italian communities [2]. 19th century](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/sale_098-public/371_2.jpg)
![Letters from Jerusalem sages to Italian communities [2]. 19th century](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/styles/gallery-small-thumb/s3/sale_098-public/371_1.jpg?itok=rpVzKBo0)
![Letters from Jerusalem sages to Italian communities [2]. 19th century](https://winners-files.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/styles/gallery-small-thumb/s3/sale_098-public/371_2.jpg?itok=PJkD1Fbk)
* Letter to Maggio; to the leaders of the Italian communities from the Jerusalem sages, 1863.
Specifications: [3] pages; doubled, light-blue; 26x20 cm. Italian.
Unique features: The letter is stamped and signed by: Rabbi Chaim Dovid Chazan, Rabbi Avraham Ashkenazi, Rabbi Mordechai Eliezer Susin, Rabbi Yedidya Suzin.
Background: Rabbi Chaim Dovid Chazan was born in Izmir in 1791. He was chosen to succeed his father as Chief Rabbi of the city. He immigrated to Eretz Yisrael at the age of 64 and was recognized for his Torah greatness. When the position of rabbi became available, he was elected rabbi and Av Beit Din. In 1861, he was elected Chacham Bashi and Rishon L'Tzion. He authored: Torat Zevach, Nadiv Lev, Yitav Lev and more.
Rabbi Avraham Ashkenazi was born in Larissa, Greece. He served as rabbi of Jerusalem for about thirty years and was appointed Rishon L'Tzion. Rabbi Eliyahu Meni addressed him with profuse honorifics.
*Letter of thanks to the מאג'ג'יו community to Rabbi Moshe Sorni, 1865.
Specifications: [4] pages; folded, light-blue paper, 26x20 cm. Italian.
Unique features: The letter is signed by Rabbi Chaim Dovid Chazan, Rabbi Moshe Benveneste and Rabbi Yaakov Cordevero.
Condition: Both letters are in fine-very fine condition. Fold marks with light wear-and-tear on the bottom of the leaf.
Letter from the sages of Tétouan praising those who give charity "to satiate the soul and rejuvenate the hungry".
Specifications: [2] pages, doubled leaf, 30x21 cm. Sephardic handwriting.
Unique features: Very rare document, signed in 1738 by Rabbi Menachem Attiya, Rabbi Shlomo Avudarham, Rabbi Moshen ben Amram and Rabbi Shlomo Avudarham (another sage, with the same name as the previous signer).
Background: Rabbi Menachem son of Yitzchak Attiya was an 18th century Tétouan sage. He was dayan and moreh tzedek in the city together with: Rabbi Efraim Monsonego, Rabbi Yehuda Avudarham and Rabbi Yehuda Koriat.
He was renowned as a Torah leader and G-dly kabbalist who was an expert in the Zohar and kabbala. Many sages of his generation admired him, including: Rabbi Yaakov Ibn Zur; Rabbi Yehuda Iyash - prominent Algerian rabbi; Rabbi Eliyahu HaTzarfati; Rabbi Yosef ben Samon; and others. The title page of the first edition of his Ner Ma'aravi includes profuse praise.
Condition: Very fine. Fold marks.
A contract signed by Rabbi Moshe Galanti and Rabbi Mordechai Peretz. Damascus, 1800.
Specifications: [1] paper leaf. 17x26 cm. Oriental writing.
Unique Features: Yaakov son of Moshe Saban and Yosef Kizni are mentioned.
Condition: Moderate-fine. Worming holes which damage text, folding marks.