Letter from Rabbi Rafael Yeshaya Azoulay Av Beit Din of Ancona, son of the Chida, with his Wax Seal

Letter from Rabbi Rafael Yeshaya Azoulay Av Beit Din of Ancona, son of the Chida, with his Wax Seal

Letter from 1788 with the signature of Rabbi Refael Yeshaya Azoulay, firstborn son of the Chida, Rabbi of Ancona and author of the book Imrei Noam.

Specifications: [1] double leaf. 24X17 cm. Italian writing with Hebrew signature. On the reverse, address of the addressee in his handwriting with remains of a red wax seal.

Unique Features: Remains of the wax seal of Rabbi Refael, split in two, on the back of the page. The letters: "Refael Yesh[a]ya Azoulay ST" are impressed on the two sides of the seal. They are clearly visible through a magnifying glass.

Background: Rabbi Refael Yeshaya Azoulay, firstborn son of Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Azoulay - the Chida, was born in 1740 in Jerusalem, great in Torah and responsa - among his books of responsa is Imrei Noam. Some responsa were printed in Zichron Moshe and also in his great father's works, who valued and respected him and always mentioned him in his works with great affection (my dear son, my firstborn son the great and complete scholar, light of my eyes, friend of my soul, etc.). When Rabbi Avraham Yisrael, rabbi of Ancona, died in 1785, the heads of the community turned to the Chida. He hinted to them that his son Rabbi Refael Yeshaya is suited to the role, and they responded positively. He served many years as the rabbi of Ancona, until his his ascent heavenward on the 9th of Shevat 1823, and his years were as the years of his father, 83 years. Great honor was accorded him upon his death and his community mourned him a long time [refer to Benayahu's book on the Chida for more about him, pages 476-487].

Condition: Very fine. Original fold marks.