Auction 75
Lot 93:
Fine Shadarut letter, artistic script combining Rashi script with headings in Assyrian script beginning with: כה אמר ה’ שמרו משפט ועשו צדקה כי קרובה ישועתי לבא". In the letter, the undersigned rabbis appeal, in poetic language, to philanthropists abroad to donate money for the residents of Eretz Yisrael" "שלומי אמוני ישראל, ראשי גולת אריאל, צדקתם כהררי א-ל, הגבירים הרמים ונכבדים….".
The letter is signed by the following important rabbis of Safed:
Rabbi Raphael Zilberman (1839-1918) the son and successor of the Chief Rabbi of the Ashkenazic community of Safed, Rabbi Mordechai Zilberman. Was famed for his wisdom and Torah greatness, even the Turks acknowledged his wisdom, titling him Chacham Pahsha. Continued his father’s tradition of lighting the bonfire on the gravesite of Rashbi on Lag BaOmer as the representative of the Boyan Chassidim.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Sternberg of Deyzh-Safed (1843-1916) a disciple of the Ketav Sofer. Studied in Deyzh with Rabbi Mendele of Deyzh. Immigrated to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Safed where he became one of the heads of Kupat Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes and the Zibenbergen Kollel.
Rabbi Moshe Deutsch of Retieg, the son of Rabbi Eliezer. Passed away in 1912 and was laid to rest in the ancient cemetery of Safed.
Rabbi Baruch Dabid Kahana author of Chibat HaAretz and Birkat HaAretz. Was born in Vizhnitz, immigrated to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Safed. Was close to the Divrei Chaim of Sanz and by his order built the famed Sanz Kloiz of Safed. After his passing in 1925, the Mekubal Rabbi Yehoshua Palachi revealed that he used to study Kabbala with him near the Ari Synagogue.
All these hand-signed the document and added their official stamp in addition to the official stamp of the Zibenbergen Kollel.
The letter was given to the Chassidic Shadar Rabbi Elazar Moshe Margolis of Tiberius (the second), this time he travelled to raise funds for himself, who had many debts and suffered from an eye disease. His son Rabbi Aharon Yosef joined him on his journey. The rabbis write about their difficult sitiuation: "המופלג בתורה, ויראת ה’ טהורה, היקר ונכבד, היחסן… שהוא מגזע קודש מחצבתו, נכד הרה"צ ה"ק ה"ר חיים יחזקאל אבולאפיע.. ומיוחס גדול הן מצד אביו ומצד אמו עד עשרים דורות… ומעודו עד היום הוא שוקד על התורה ועבודת ה’ ומסתפק במועט וחי חיי צער ועוני ולחץ נורא ויט שכמו לסבול….". Dated Elul 1909.
Professionally restored tears along the entire letter since to the best of our knowledge, he carried the folded letter in his pocket at all times, wrapped in fabric. 37.5X26 cm. Varied blemishes – see pictures.
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