Letter by 'Hacham Bashi', the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Avraham Ashkenazi

Letter by 'Hacham Bashi', the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Avraham Ashkenazi

Handwriting and signature letter of the Rishon LeZion Rabbi Avraham Ashkenazi 'Hacham Bashi'. 1875 [and his stamp as 'Hacham Bashi']. Rare.

A letter of condolence written by the genius, at the time of death of the 'Migla Bat Perel'. In his letter, Rabbi Avraham comforts the sons of the deceased: "הנה לשלום מר לי על לא טובה השמועה, אהא כי שתיתם כוס התרעלה ותמת אם הבנים אשת חיל רבת המעלות...". After words of condolence, he adds that he scheduled a study at the Beit Midrash for her soul every day, until the end of the year of her death.

The Rishon LeZion Rabbi Avraham Ashkenazi [1811-1880] - Chief Rabbi of all the Jews of the Land of Israel during the Ottoman Empire, Rishon LeZion and "Hacham Bashi". Born in the city of Larissa in the Ottoman Empire, and in 1820 immigrated to Eretz Israel with his father Jacob. He was elected a judge in the court of Rabbi Binyamin Mordechai Navon, in whose book "Bnei Binyamin" Rabbi Ashkenazi published his rulings. In this position he served for about three years. in 1864, he was elected to serve as a court judge. In Adar 1869, with the death of Chief Rabbi Chaim David Hazan, Rabbi Ashkenazi was crowned Rishon Lezion and held this position for longer than his four predecessors, 12 years, until his death. He became famous for his good relations with all the Jews of the settlement, Sephardim and Ashkenazim.

 In 1841, Rabbi Ashkenazi, together with Rabbi Capiloto, published the book "Jerusalem Regulations", which contains all the city's customs related to religion and halakhah. Died on the 9th of Shvat 1880 and was buried in the Mount of Olives cemetery.

[1] leaf. 30x20 cm. Folding marks. Good condition.