Letter written by Rabbi Chaim Nachman Parnas and Rabbi Zalman Ze’ev, Maggid Misharim and Moreh Tzedek of Vilna, to Sir Moses Montefiore. Vilna, 1853.
Specifications: [1] leaf, paper. 21X27 cm.
Contents: The signatories were the presidents of the charity fund for Eretz Yisrael in Vilna, and all the aid collected in Lithuania for Israel was channeled through them. In the letter, the rabbis asked Montefiore to transfer the monetary aid they sent to Rabbi Yeshaya Bardaki and Rabbi Shmuel Salant.
Special features: The letter was written by the famous sofer of the Vilna community, the energetic and remarkable Rabbi Avraham David Strashon [for his accolades see Kiryah Ne’emanah and Ir Vilna , pp. 190-191]. The calligraphic signature on the left is his, and the other rabbis signed after him.
Background:
* Rabbi Zalman Ze’ev, son of the gaon Rabbi Yechezkel Feivel, was the Maggid Meisharim of Vilna, and author of the famous book Toldot Adam [1789-1867]. He served as the Av Beit Din of Ritishin, and subsequently as the Maggid Meisharim of Vilna. He was one of the arbiters of the Volozhin Yeshiva in 1854. He also compiled the book Avodat Tama [Vilna, 1836], and Mussar veDaat al HaRambam [1866].
* Rabbi Chaim Nachman Parnas was one of the splendorous religious figures of Vilna. He was the son-in-law of Rabbi Efraim Zalman Margaliot, author of Beit Efraim. He taught Torah in the Great Synagogue of Vilna, and produced outstanding students. He possessed unique wisdom, including for worldly matters, so much so that the dignitaries of the generation came to him for his advice and insight. For many years he served as the parnas, director, and gabbai of tzedakah in Vilna, and also the president of Eretz Yisrael charity. He passed away in 1854. (See Kiryah Ne’emanah , p. 257, and Ir Vilna , pp. 185-189)
Condition: Very fine. Fold marks, binding holes on side of page without damage to text.