Emissary (Shadar) Letter, Rabbi Shlomo Molcho an Emissary of the Jerusalem Kollelot - Signatures of the Prominent ...

Emissary (Shadar) Letter, Rabbi Shlomo Molcho an Emissary of the Jerusalem Kollelot - Signatures of the Prominent Rabbis of Jerusalem, including the Kabbalist Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi and the Members of his Beit Din - Jerusalem 1769
An emissary letter signed by the most prominent rabbis and kabbalist of Jerusalem. The document was given to the emissary (Shadar) Rabbi Shlomo Molcho ben Rabbi Avraham Molcho in 1769 for his meeting with the wealthy Reb Chaim Tarika.
In the letter, the rabbis reveal in full the troubles the citizens of Jerusalem encounter and the threats of their gentile creditors.
The letter is written in special poetic language. Written by a scribe and hand-signed by the most prominent rabbis of Jerusalem: Rabbi Raphael Moshe Bolla, Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi, Rabbi Yitzchak Butla, Rabbi Mantzur Marzook, Rabbi Nissim Chaim Yerucham Vilna, Rabbi Yosef Meyuchas, Rabbi Efrayim ben Rabbi Yehuda Navon, Rabbi Eliyahu Zvi, Rabbi Chaim Nissim Ha'Cohen, Rabbi Raphael Meyuchas ben Rabbi Shmuel.
The rabbis turn to the wealthy Reb Chaim in a request to help the three charity funds: "Pidyon Shvuyim", "Nedavah Chadasha" and "Machatzit Ha'Shekel"
The emissary, Rabbi Shlomo Molcho ben Rabbi Avraham Molcho, immigrated to Jerusalem from Salonika and was sent by the rabbis of Jerusalem to his country of origin. He died in Salonika during a mission in 1790.
Rabbi Shlomo Molcho's mission, which is mentioned in the letter before us, was in 1869. This emissary letter is not mentioned by Ya'ari in his book "Shluchei Eretz Yisrael. Ya'ari writes of this emissary that he was sent to Salonika during the years 1789-1790. However, now we have discovered that he was also sent on a mission many years earlier.
The prominent rabbis of Jerusalem who hand-signed the letter
The kabbalist Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi (1727 - 1802), the son ofRabbi Israel Jacob Algazi, was an Ottoman rabbi who studied under Rabbi Shalom Sharabi and authored major halachic works. He succeeded Rabbi Sharabi as head of the "Beit El" kabbalist yeshiva and served as Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and the Rishon Le'Zion from 1777 until his death. His compositions: "Hilchot Yom Tov", "Simchat Yom Tov" responsa, "Kedushat Yom Tov", "Yom Tov De'Rabanan".
Rabbi Raphael Moshe Bolla (died in 1773) Av Beit Din of Jerusalem. Was born in Salonika. Was the head of the "Naveh Shalom" Yeshiva. In 1772, he became the Rishon Le'Zion until his death a year later. His compositions: "Gett Mekushar", "Zechut Moshe", "Chyaei Olam".
Rabbi Raphael Meyuchas ben Rabbi Shmuel (1695-1775), author of "Pri Ha'Adamah", "Pnei Ha'Adamah" and ""Minchat Bikurim", which were printed in his lifetime. Head of the "Beit Ya'akov" Yeshiva. Served as the Rishon Le'Zion. The many miracles he happened to him are written in the book "Megilat Yochasin".
Rabbi Yehuda Burla (died in 1804) was a member of the Beit Din of Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi. Signed the regulations of Jerusalem and emissary letters. His reponsa was printed in the book "Makor Yisrael Ve'Nachalat Yehuda".
Rabbi Mantzur Marzook (died in 1784) a second signatory with Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi. One of the rabbis of Aleppo who immigrated to Jerusalem. One of the leading kabbalists of the "Beit El" Yeshiva. Among his books: "Korbal Elitzur".
Rabbi Nissim Chaim Yerucham Vilna (1705-1775), the son of Rabbi Ya'akov Vilna, of the sect of Rabbi Yehuda Ha'Chassid and one of the leaders of the Ashkenazic community of Jerusalem (his signature here is in Sephardic script!). was born in Jerusalem and later moved to Safed. Was a friend of the Chida. Was appointed head of the Ashkenazic community of Jerusalem. His stamp appears beside his signature on the letter before us.
Rabbi Efrayim Navon (died in 1784). Among his compositions: "Beit Moshav" on the laws of the Dayanim. Was a member of the Beit Din of Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi.
Rabbi Chaim Nissim Ha'Cohen (died in 1796). In 1777 signed the Estates Regulation (Takanat Ha'Ezvonot). He also signed the emissary letter of Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi and Rabbi Ya'akov Chazan.
Rabbi Eliyahu Zvi, one of the scholars of the "Yefa'er Anavim" Yeshiva of Jerusalem. A member of the Beit Din of Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi. In 1774 was sent to Europe as an emissary with his friends Rabbi Ya'akov Burla and Rabbi Yakar ben Avraham Gershom - a joint mission of Sephardic and Ashkenazic rabbis.

Rabbi Mordechai Meyuchas (died in 1806), author of "Sha'ar Ha'Mayim" and more. In his youth (at the age of 15) he wrote responses to contemporary rabbis. His father wrote in his will that his son will replace him as the "Rishon Le'Zion". However, Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Meyuchas became the son-in-law of Rabbi Yom Tov Algazi and gave up the position until his father-in-law's death in 1802. Only then did he inherit Rabbi Algazi's position as Rosh Av Beit Din and Rishon Le'Zion until his death.

20.5x24.5 cm.
Condition: Good. Thick leaf. On the left side of the leaf, an omission with slight damage to single letters at the end of the lines. Slight flaws and holes restored with adhesive tape.