Letter of support for Rabbi Yaakov Meir upon his appointment as Rishon LeTziyon, signed by the Eidah HaSepharadit in Jerusalem. Poster of historic significance. [Jerusalem, 1907?]
[2] large paper leaf. 20×47 cm. Scribal script, and with signatures of about 100 people.
Special poster sent to Constantinople, with support for the appointment of Rabbi Yaakov Meir as Rishon LeTziyon, including about 100 (!) signatures of prominent members of the Sephardic community in Jerusalem.
After Rabbi Yaakov Shaul Elyashar’s passing, Rabbi Yaakov Meir [1856-1939] was appointed chief Sephrdic rabbi of Jerusalem, the ‘Rishon LeTziyon.’ This appointment aroused opposition from some groups in the city, who accused him of a tendency to Zionism. The opponents sent letters to the Chacham Bashi in Constantinople, with the purpose of preventing his apporoval of the appointment. Rabbi Meir preferred to prevent the dispute, and resigned of his own accord. He left Jerusalem for some time and served as rabbi of Salonika. With the establishment of the chief rabbinate of Israel in 1921, he was chosen as chief Sephardic rabbi.
Fine condition. Fold marks. Tiny tears on the fold marks.