Long and touching letter from two heads of households from Persia who suffered severe harassment from the authorities and were forced to flee from their homes due to debts. They appeal to Sir Moshe Montefiore and plead for him to come to their aid and to save them them so they can return to their homes. Includes a personal letter of recommendation from the great Rabbi Moshe Ohr Shraga in his handwriting and with his signature and stamp. Tehran, 1866.
Specifications: [4] large paper pages. 21×35 cm. Ink on blue paper.
Unique Features: The letter was sent from Tehran, and several sages of Tehran added personal letters in their handwriting and with their signatures. It is four pages long and contains a detailed description of all that happened to them and all the attempts made and the negotiations with consuls and princes in Europe.
Background: Rabbi Moshe son of Rabbi Yitzchak Ohr Shraga, grandson of the Kabbalist Mula Or Shraga. Served as rabbi as Yazd. Held halachic discussions with Rabbi Yaakov Shaul Elyashar, author of Yisa Brachah , and was revered by the people of his generation. In one of the letters written by a resident of his city to Jerusalem he is described: “Our rabbi and teacher the light from the east and candle from the west, Rabbi Moshe son of Rabbi Yitzchak grandson of the great luminary who transmits the tradition of the kabbalah, from Moshe to Moshe there has been no one like Moshe. He is as humble as Hillel … he is incredibly humble … I saw the glory of his countenance and he is a holy man of G-d (Y. Ben Tzvi, Sfunot II page 111, From Yazd to the Holy Land page 115, The Sages of the Jews of Persia and Afghanistan page 31).
Condition: Moderate. The letter was damaged by water and some of the writing is blurred and a small part is lacking.