Emissary’s letter from Tiberias rabbis for Rabbi Chaim Shalom Amar, who was sent on a mission to European cities. Livorno, 1775.
This mission was carried out due to the difficult condition of Tiberias Jews, especially as a result of the Russo-Turkish war. The letter describes the harsh situation for the city’s residents due to taxes, interest and pledges, to the point that it had become a matter of pidyon shevuyim.
“It’s been several years already that the kings are fighting each other, one battle after another … the sea is wide and broad, yet it is closing in. People who come and go have no peace anywhere; there is distress everywhere …”
In conclusion: “We are in severe straits, from the youngest to the oldest.”
Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the emissary – Rabbi Chaim Shalom Amar.
The signatories include Tiberias Rabbis: R’ Raphael Avraham HaKohen Dwek, R’ Avraham Ginini, R’ Meir Alkelai, R’ Ya’akov Goakil, R’ Binyamin Ze’ev Ashkenazi, R’ Yechezkel Abulafiah, R’ Yitzchak Sorogon, R’ Shmuel Lago, R’ Elachanan Dilowiya of Vilna, R’ Yonah Gaian and R’ David Beche”r Yonah Ashkenazi.
Unknown emissary’s letter. There is a similar one presently in the JTS library in New York, brought by A. Ya’ari in Shluchei Eretz Yisrael , Jerusalem, 1951, pp. 518-519. However, it is not this emissary’s letter.
This emissary’s letter was apparently printed in Livorno. The location of the mission, Modona, was added in scribal script.
1 large folded leaf. 44×28 cm.
Fine-very fine condition. Minimal aging stains.