Letter from three Jerusalem sages headed by Rabbi Shmuel ben Sid asking to change currency as the currency in Jerusalem had been revoked. Jerusalem, c. [1610].
Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 25×18 cm. Sephardic handwriting. Signed by Rabbi Shlomo Chadida, Rabbi Shmuel ben Sid and Rabbi Azarya Willisid. A transcript of the text is included.
Background: Rabbi Shmuel Sid [Sidliyav], “HaChacham HaShalem” was an outstanding rabbi, elevated chassid and kabbalist known as a wonder worker. He wrote an approbaton for the Zaharei Chamah by Rabbi Avraham Azoulai. He was a talmid of Rabbi Yeshua Azoulai and the grandson of Rabbi Shmuel ben Sidlo HaZaken, author of Klalei Shmuel and son-in-law of the Mahar”i Abuhav. In 1610, he delivered a sermon in Alexanderia. At the start of the persecutions of ibn Farrukh [1625-1627], Rabbi Shmuel was imprisoned and then ransomed for a large sum of money. When the Shla”h and other sages were imprisoned, he managed to flee to Constantinople where he attempted to have the central government lighten the distress of the Jews of Jerusalem and remove Ibn Farrukh from his position. He passed away in [1635]. Rabbi Shmuel Sid’s son-in-law, Rabbi Azarya son of Yisrael Zeevi was a renowned Jerusalem sage, a preacher and expert in kabbala and community leader. Rabbi Shlomo Chadida was a prominent Jerusalem rabbi, a disciple of Rabbi Yosef of Trani (Mahari”t). His teacher wrote that “he lay in the depth of halacha and would bring light to all mysteries … he is a river that stems from the source of wisdom … the complete sage … HaChacham HaShalem, HaDayan HaMetzuyan … Rabbi Shlomo Chadida …” [ Shu”t HaMaharit, Even HaEzer simanim 10-11]. He wrote an approbation for Zaharei Chamah by Rabbi Avraham Azoulai. He was also active amongst the Hebron sages, and is possibly the same Rabbi Shlomo Chadida who lived in Constantinople in 1612. In 1623, he signed on an a letter prohibiting a division in the Jerusalem community, “not regarding the ba’alei haTorah and not regarding the funds other than the Ashkenazim and that we shouldn’t write slander regarding our kollels … and not about the trustees and those who take care of the needs of the city.” Prior to his immigration to Jerusalem he authored responsa that were lost, other than the few that were printed scattered in other works. He passed away in [1645] and was buried in Jerusalem. Rabbi Azarya Willisid was a prominent Hebron sage [around 1590].
Condition: Moderate-poor. Tears, some affecting text. Signature of Rabbi Shlomo Chadida is cut.